Corvette Auction Preview: Bob McDorman’s Late Model Corvettes

1
2282

Late Model Corvettes at the Bob McDorman Collection

Article Contributed by Steve Burns

Our 2 earlier previews have focused on some of the older cars in Bob McDorman’s grandiose collection. Today in our 3rd and final preview, we’ll focus one some of the later model Corvettes that will be available at no reserve this Saturday, November 6th at McDorman’s Chevrolet dealership in Canal Winchester, OH.

Of the roughly 90 Corvettes up for grabs, about half of them are C4’s or newer. The cars from 1984 through 2006 can generally be purchased for pretty reasonable money at an average auction. The sixth generation cars can still be relatively high in price due to still being on the downward side of their depreciation slope. Since the newer cars don’t bring a lot of attention at most auctions, I expect that a few good buys will come from the post-1984 era.

Lot S121 – 1998 Convertible:
1998 was the first year for the C5 convertible with 11,849 examples born that year. Lot S121 is finished in rare Aztec Gold and claimed to be 1 of 3 in that color. Other features include a black soft top, light oak interior, automatic transmission, and the C5’s standard LS1 motor.

Late Model Corvettes at the Bob McDorman Collection Late Model Corvettes at the Bob McDorman Collection Late Model Corvettes at the Bob McDorman Collection

Although not a terribly attractive color or color combination, you can’t argue with the uniqueness of this car. You can guarantee that your neighbor won’t have one like it and that it’ll start a lot of conversations when you’re out driving it.

Lot S126 – 2000 Corvette Coupe:
This car was featured in a raffle at the Bowling Green Plant in 2000 and is the only one ever built in Platinum Purple Metallic. The silver racing stripes nicely accent the titanium leather interior. Being a special Corvette plant one-off, the winning bidder is said to receive with this car an extra hood with numerous autographs and an extra set of seats. One’s even been converted into an office chair.

Late Model Corvettes at the Bob McDorman Collection Late Model Corvettes at the Bob McDorman Collection Late Model Corvettes at the Bob McDorman Collection

Looking at this one makes me wish that GM had built more purple C5’s. The grapey exterior harkens back to the Purple People Eater of 1959. A little nostalgia and “1 of 1” of status should create some excitement when it rolls across the auction block.

Lot S129 – 2001 Corvette Z06:
This is the first Z06 assembled since 1963. For the 2001 model year, Chevrolet transformed the ho-hum hardtop model into a race-bred street car. Power was courtesy of the all-new 405hp LS6 motor which was linked to the mandatory 6-speed transmission. An automatic wasn’t available with RPO Z06. This striking red on red car is still on its MSO and was the best performing Corvette ever produced at that time.

Late Model Corvettes at the Bob McDorman Collection Late Model Corvettes at the Bob McDorman Collection Late Model Corvettes at the Bob McDorman Collection

This lot will make for an entertaining sale. Given the immense popularity of the Z06 package over the C5 and C6 generations I would expect several interested parties in this car. In the current market a 2001 Z06 is an excellent performance bargain. More than likely the 001 VIN will slap a pretty hefty price premium on the hood of this particular Z06.

Lots S109 and S110 – 1994 Corvette Coupe and Convertible:
The 1994 model year was close to the end of the line for the successful C4 generation. That year Chevy painted 115 cars (0.5% of production) with the unique color of Copper Metallic. Of those 115, Bob has 2 in his collection – 1 coupe and 1 convertible. Both feature the venerable LT1 350 under the hood. The coupe is an automatic and the convertible is a 6 speed. The coupe wears a black interior and the convertible sports a beige interior. Both possess dual power seats and the desirable selective ride suspension.

Late Model Corvettes at the Bob McDorman Collection Late Model Corvettes at the Bob McDorman Collection Late Model Corvettes at the Bob McDorman Collection

This odd color reminds me of War Bonnet Yellow from the early 70’s. It’s a color you rarely see anymore and people either love it or hate it. True collectors will see the long term potential in either of these cars. As the norm, expect the convertible (with its matching hardtop) to bring several thousand dollars more than the coupe.

Lot S139 – 2005 Corvette Coupe:
In 2005 the sports car world was turned on it’s ear when the all new 6th generation Corvette was launched packing 400hp, magnetic ride control, and a price well below that of it’s rivals. Lot S129 is the 2nd C6 to make the exit from Bowling Green and is dressed in Precision Red paint accented by a black leather interior. Additional features are the 1SB option package which includes HUD, heated seats, and 6-disc CD player.

Late Model Corvettes at the Bob McDorman Collection Late Model Corvettes at the Bob McDorman Collection Late Model Corvettes at the Bob McDorman Collection

Who was the 2nd president of the USA? Who was the 2nd man on the moon? Who finished 2nd in the 2010 Indy 500? Typically the “2nd of’s” don’t get a lot of attention. This #2 is different. The success and popularity of the C6 body can’t be denied. If you want a first year C6, this is the one for you. Plus, if you’ve already bought the 2nd C3 (Lot S79), you might as well buy this one too and start your own collection of “seconds”.

The Auction Preview is Friday, November 5th from 8am-5pm. The sale itself begins at 10am on Saturday the 6th. The cars will be offered starting around 12pm and our beloved Corvettes will run after the Camaros, Bellaire’s, Impala’s, and countless other Bowties have sold. More information can be found on Mecum’s website at www.mecum.com.

Stay tuned to Corvetteblogger.com after the auction for a complete wrap up and photos from this historic event.


Source:
Mecum Auctions

Related:
Corvette Auction Preview: Bob McDorman’s “Four-of-a-Kind” 1963 Corvettes
Corvette Auction Preview: The Bob McDorman Collection
Mecum to Sell Bob McDorman’s Corvette Collection

 



-

1 COMMENT

Comments are closed.