1966 Ford Mustang. Photos courtesy Owls Head Transportation Museum.
Each August, classic car fans flock to the Owls Head Transportation Museum in Owls Head, Maine, for the annual New England Auto Auction. Think of it as the anti-Monterey, where cars are bought by those of modest means for the purpose of enjoyment, not investment. While this year did see a rare 1968 Mercury Cougar XR-7 GTE sell for a fee-inclusive price of $228,800, the vast majority of lots sold for less money than the average used family sedan, including a few standouts in the sub-$10,000 price range.
1938 White COE flatbed.
Take this 1938 White Cab-Over flatbed truck, for example. A guaranteed stand-out at any vintage car show, could there be a better hauler for a pre-war classic car or race car (assuming, of course, that ramps or a tilt bed could be added)? The seller didn’t disclose what engine currently resides beneath the cab, nor did he list the mileage, but at a selling price of $4,950, does either really matter?
1958 Morris Minor 1000 Traveler.
On the opposite end of the size scale was this 1958 Morris Minor 1000 Traveler, described by the seller as in good to very good condition, with the exception of slight undercarriage rust and pitted chrome trim. Having passed a recent safety inspection, it’s likely that the woodie’s next owner can remediate any flaws after the driving season is over. The selling price? Just $7,700, including fees.
1966 Ford Mustang.
A triple black 1966 Ford Mustang coupe, said to benefit from a 2008 body restoration, sold for $9,900. Though likely not a show car, the Mustang appeared to be better than an average driver, and the 289 V-8 beneath the hood should provide ample entertainment for the car’s next owner, even mated to a Cruise-O-Matic transmission.
1955 Dodge Sierra.
Sometimes, two doors and four seats aren’t enough to get the job done, which explains the appeal of this 1955 Dodge Sierra station wagon, complete with the Super Red Ram V-8 beneath the hood. Described as in fair to good condition, this family hauler will likely need further restorative work to be a comfortable and reliable cross-country cruiser, but the selling price of $9,900 leaves room in the budget.
1953 Dodge Power Wagon.
Described as a “wonderful beast” by its current owner, this 1953 Dodge Power Wagon sold for $7,975. It began its service life in the United States Air Force, later became an airport crash truck and served out the rest of its commercial life as a brush truck for the Anson, Maine, fire department. Equipped with a 24-volt electrical system and an 8,000 pound PTO-driven winch, the Dodge has accumulated a mere 36,000 miles over the past six-plus decades, and just 3,000 miles since the engine was rebuilt.
1954 Mercury Monterey.
This 1954 Mercury Monterey sedan may look stock from the outside, but under its recently painted hood lurks a 351 Cleveland V-8, bolted to a C4 three-speed automatic transmission. That should provide noticeably more thrust than the sedan’s original 256-cu.in., 161-horsepower V-8, upping its entertainment value as a driver (but not as a show car). Described as very good to excellent throughout, the Mercury went to its new owner for $8,250.
1948 Packard Eight station sedan.
Lots in the top-10 included the aforementioned 1968 Mercury Cougar XR-7 GTE, which sold for $228,800 (believed to be a record for a Cougar GTE); a 1968 Shelby GT 500 fastback, which sold for $137,500; a 1933 Pierce Arrow 1242 sedan, which sold for $115,500; a 1948 Packard Eight station sedan, which sold for $90,750; a 1960 Chevrolet Corvette, which sold for $71,500; a 1967 Chevrolet Corvette coupe, which sold for $56,100; a 1956 Ford Thunderbird convertible, which sold for $55,000; a 1967 Amphicar 770 convertible, which sold for $55,000; a 1956 Bentley S1 convertible, which sold for $55,000; and a 1932 Buick convertible phaeton, which sold for $52,250.
For complete results from this year’s New England Auto Auction, visit OwlsHead.org.
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