Wow!!! An abundance of riches — another of my favorite 1961 Chevrolet Corvette convertibles!!! This one was painted a bright Roman Red with white coves (those carved out panels behind the front wheels that look like the exhaust vents on a fighter jet). The new convertible top is white (it is hidden behind the open hood in the photo). This baby is powered by a correct, matching-numbers 283/330hp 8-cylinder engine mated to a 4-speed manual transmission with full ignition shielding.
This was the first model year to incorporate the cut-off back end together with the last year of the exposed dual headlights. Others may differ in their opinions but to me, this combination of design elements makes this THE classic Corvette.
The interior features all-new red leather seats with seat belts, both sun visors, and a Wonder Bar radio. This California/Arizona Corvette rides on whitewall radial tires and original hubcaps. The auction selling price was $73,700.
Next up is a 1932 Ford 3-Window Coupe, professionally rebuilt with numerous upgrades such as Rockford Fosgate stereo with iPod hookup. This Ford looks like it just came out of an Untouchables episode.
Under that shiny black hood is a 350ci V8 engine with aluminum 23-degree cylinder heads topped with an Edelbrock carburetor mated to a 5-speed manual transmission.
I love the design elements such as the rectangular rear window with curved corners, the sleek curved trunk, and the fenders with the flared back ends — and don't forget to mention the functional running boards. The Untouchables would have had to pay $490 ($8,624.47 in 2020 dollars) for a vehicle like this. The auction sale price was $121,000.
Here is another Ford from the same year — a 1932 Ford Phaeton Custom Convertible. From Wikipedia, "The term "Phaeton" had historically described a light, open four-wheeled carriage. When automobiles arrived it was applied to a light two-seater with minimal coachwork. Originally, it meant to denote a faster and lighter vehicle than a touring car, the two terms eventually became interchangeable."
This vehicle is powered by a blown 59AB Flathead engine and a C4 3-speed automatic transmission with a 9” Ford rear end.
The highly detailed and quality interior has no air conditioning, heat, or radio. I did note that the instrument panel was centered which I presume was done to cut down on the costs of manufacturing vehicles for both the right-hand-drive and left-hand-drive markets. Only the steering wheel and foot pedals would have to be moved.
This Phaeton street rod is an older build that started with a rust-free body and all-original Ford steel with no patch panels used. The paint and finish work shows well. The car is in good condition with just under 1,400 miles since its completion. It sold for $69,300.
Incredible — another Ford hardtop convertible, this one a 1958 Ford Fairlane Skyliner, here with the trunk open and the roof in a middle position (opening or closing — no way to know which).
This vehicle features (in addition to the retractable hardtop) power steering and brakes, air conditioning, power door locks with a remote key fob, and a tilt steering wheel. I wonder if the clock works — since so many cars of this vintage had dashboard clocks that would stop ticking after a few years — and most owners would not go to the trouble of replacing them.
It was upgraded with a Lincoln Mark 8 4.6-liter fuel injected engine and an automatic overdrive transmission. And this shot reminds me that the 1958 model year was the first to feature dual headlights on most models. The sale price was $40,700.
