More goodies from the 2019 Barrett-Jackson Automobile Auction in Scottsdale. Here we see a 1969 Austin-Healey Sprite. According to the listing, this little roadster has always been garaged and includes receipts to document the thousands of dollars spent on upgrades such as the alternator, new wiring harness and wiring, tail-lamps, turn signals, new gaskets, new front brake pads, headers, new intake with side-draft 40 Weber carburetor and new 12-volt battery.
This little car is said to run well, powered by a 4-cylinder engine and a 4-speed manual transmission. I did notice when I examined the full-frame image that there is some front sheet metal damage near the bottom right of the grill. It made me think of all the times that James Bond was shot at in his movies with his Aston Martin DB5 and other luxury sports cars. I was surprised to learn that this vehicle sold for $5,500 — an amount even I could afford, although I'd be sleeping on the couch for a long, long time.
Now here is one of the previously mentioned luxury land yachts with the huge fins, in this case it is a 1961 Chrysler Crown Imperial Southampton. It was professionally restored over a 3-year period from 2015 to 2018. When purchased in West Texas, this Chrysler was a rust-free, running and drivable vehicle.
The 413ci 4-barrel engine and push-button TorqueFlight automatic transmission were professionally rebuilt, and the driveline was rebuilt and balanced. The upholstery was restored, including seats, door panels, headliner, carpet, and dash.
The exterior Alaskan White paint shines with a large amount of stainless and chrome exterior trim. Just looking at her, I figure half the nation's supply of steel went into just the fins for Imperials that year. We used to joke that you shouldn't try to touch the fins when the car was moving past you — it would cut off your hand.
Options include a Continental-style trunk lid, power steering, power brakes, power windows, power door locks, a power front seat, and an original dual air conditioning system that blows air in both the front and rear. Stainless trim covers the rocker panels and wheel well openings. Also, this vehicle has a motorized radio antenna and remote-controlled hooded driver’s-side outside mirror and manual hooded passenger outside mirror. This luxury-on-top-of-luxury vehicle sold for $40,700.
How cool — a 1925 Ford Model T one-ton flatbed truck. Note the hand crank — this was the era before electric starters. In its current configuration, this Tennessee Whiskey hauler is powered by an original 4-cylinder engine mated to a Worford 3-speed manual transmission with a Ruckstell rear end. It rides on original wood wheels with new tires.
This vehicle was recently restored and they did a remarkable job — 'tis a think of beauty — especially all the detailing that Henry Ford would never have provided. You'll recall his famous quote along the lines that his customers could have any color vehicle they wanted as long as it was black.
I was intrigued by the kerosene cowl lamp on this truck. A little online research suggests a bit of debate among antique automobile enthusiasts as the origins and reasons for the cowl lamps. What seemed most reasonable to me is that they were a carryover from horse-drawn carriages that used such lamps to be seen at night — although nighttime travel in a buggy or wagon was relatively infrequent. When the horseless carriage entered the travel scene, the cowl lights came along for the ride, at least initially.
I really admire the fine paintwork done to distinguish this working vehicle — not just the detailing but the signage as well.
Somehow, this vintage truck needed to be taken back in time. I think this black and white treatment accomplishes that. BTW, this truck sold for $8,800. That sounds like a bargain to me.
