This 1963 Split Window C2 from Barrett Jackson is Rather Unique
Daily Slideshow: This one sold with no reserve for a cool $44 grand with a big block engine.
Somebody spent $44k on a 46-word description
The seller—who at Barrett-Jackson Auctions like the last Las Vegas sale writes the sales text—presented this lot as “an older professional frame-off restoration.” As you can imagine, I see thousands of auction lots a year, and that phrase is pretty common, even on unibody vehicles (if not more so). But every dictionary ever defines the word “restoration” along the lines of the returning something to its former condition. Does that apply here? Was this an old drag car they brought back to life? It looks the part, but regardless, beyond its general shape, this was loosely based on the ’63 Vette at best. That aside, it's not a bad looking vehicle, wearing its visible speed parts well rather than tacked-on. But what are you really buying?...
All images courtesy Barrett-Jackson Auction
It’s often what’s NOT said that matters most
What’s the second thing you want to know about a car like this (beyond it not being stolen)? What’s it got under the hood. A “454ci [sic] big-block mated to a 700R4 overdrive automatic transmission” is the entirety of the drivetrain's description. I’ve seen bone-stock slant-six Plymouth Valiants with more details listed about their powerplants than this. Is it an iron block? Was it bored to 454 or did it start out that way? What does it run on? What parts went into it? And—perhaps above all—where did it come from? If you’re getting the feeling the seller just wanted to be rid of the thing so they put no effort into describing it, trust that instinct. But hey, it ran for “7,200 miles since its completion,” so there’s that...
All images courtesy Barrett-Jackson Auction
The most non-marvelous mystery of the "misfit" door
I know old Corvette build quality was never the greatest, but holy smokes this thing looks like a high-school auto shop project gone wrong in so many ways. Remember: The pictures I’m providing are the ones B-J used in their catalog. Somebody looked at these shots and said “Yep. Fantastic. Print ‘em!” [Yes, I’m that old. But not by much.] Everything I need to know about how much I DON’T want to be in this car is summed up by that “woogedy” passenger door. It is supposed to be that way? Is it not latched properly? Who knows?! It’s just one more unanswered question mark about this already questionably build...
All images courtesy Barrett-Jackson Auction
Curiouser and curiouser, eh?
Please tell me the knob is missing because I don’t see how this could possibly be shifted “in anger” as they say otherwise. Now, I don’t race professionally, but I’m pretty sure most of the stuff real racers want to see isn’t in this picture. Like, say, the safety cage, seat, belts, et al. are all seemingly left out—along with their all-important dating—which may not be by accident. Speaking of which, if you have one in this thing, I doubt that sweet Canadian/American flag dash artwork will be of much help. Although—as you’re about to learn—another thing they don’t show is that you’ll be happy to know you’ll be swaddled in the finest of hides as you wait for the emergency trucks (should you be able to pass tech inspection, yet another important "forgotten" fact)…
All images courtesy Barrett-Jackson Auction
This listing is a joke, right? Good job, guys. You got me. Guys?
In a listing that gives almost no pertinent information, they took the time to point out that this car is “finished in Sunflower Yellow with a black Moschino leather interior.” No duh on the first part, but as for part the second, Moschino is a self-described “Italian luxury fashion house, specializing [sic] in leather accessories, shoes, luggage, and fragrances.” What the what?!? We just talked about how they DIDN’T show the interior, and now they take the time to say they installed some fancy-pants upholstery in it? If you wanted a master class in how NOT to list your “specialty” car, here it is. Was this a good value? I don’t know. But I bet a better description would’ve brought in at least a few more bids. Just saying.
All images courtesy Barrett-Jackson Auction
Here's the link to the listing at B-J if you want to check it out.
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