The Corvette Enthusiast’s Preview to Gooding and Co’s 2013 Scottsdale Auction

Next up in our Corvette Enthusiast’s Preview of the Scottsdale Auctions, we review the Corvettes available from Gooding and Company.

Gooding & Company focuses on “blue chip” investment cars and usually sets a few world record prices each year in Scottsdale. Gooding is known for selling exceptional quality classic automobiles and producing the highest prices paid for exotic cars at such esteemed venues as Pebble Beach and Amelia Island in addition to Scottsdale and they have the statistics to back up those claims. The average price realized for a car throughout 2012 was $640,635 per car.

Gooding’s sales improved an impressive 44% in 2012 a testament to the strength of the very top of the collector car market. In Scottsdale last year Gooding auctioned only 118 cars but produced over $39.8 million dollars. In the process they set thirteen world records during the sale. They sold seven of the cars for over $1.0 million and also sold the highest priced car of any sold during the week in Scottsdale.

The record setting top seller was a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Alloy Gullwing Coupe which shocked spectators as the bids shattered the presale estimate of $2.5 million and was finally hammered down at $4.6 million. Even though the car is one of less than 30 alloy bodied cars known to exist the final price stunned everyone. Gooding also hammered down a 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider for $3.9 million, a 1929 Bentley 4 1/2 Litre Dual Cowl Sports Tourer for $2.145 million, and $1.2 million for a 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4.

One of the rare treats at a Gooding auction is the ability to see cars that you may never see again due to their rarity. Looking at the cars is like visiting a fine auto museum, so even though you may have no intention on bidding the trip and ticket is worth the price.

One of the three Corvettes being offered this year at Gooding is a 1968 L88 numbers matching, Bloomington Gold survivor and Hall of Fame recipient. Only 116 L88’s were produced in 1968 and less than half of those were roadsters. The infamous L88, 427 cubic inch engine produced 560 hp and a staggering 550 lbs. /ft of torque from the factory. This rare car is considered by many Corvette specialists as the most documented L88 known to exist, and the car’s ironclad provenance is supported by an impressive file of paperwork including the Protect-O-Plate and tank sticker .

Unlike the other Scottsdale auctions, Gooding, as is the custom for upscale collector car and fine art auction houses, offers pre-sale estimates on their consignments. The estimate provided on this car is $625,000 to $700,000 and is scheduled to cross the block on Saturday, January 18th.

Lot #128 1968 Corvette with the 560 hp L88 engine. Less than 20,000 miles. Le Mans Blue with Black Interior and Hardtop. Unrestored and original!

Also they are offering a 1967 Silver Pearl with teal interior 427 tri power coupe. The car is the recipient of a 100 point frame off restoration to NCRS standards and went on to win the Top Flight Award. The car has less than 25,000 original miles and is lot 019. The auction estimate is $120,000 to $150,000 and will be sold without reserve.

Lot #19 1967 427/435 Corvette. Loaded with rare factory options and accompanied by an extensive documentation including owners manual and the protect-o-plate.

The only C1 Corvette consigned to the Gooding & Company’s Scottsdale Auction is a 1954 lot 037. The white with red interior car has been meticulously restored and the Gooding presale estimate is $90,000 to $120,000. The car received a prestigious NCRS Gold award as well as an Antique Automobile Club of America First Prize at the annual Fall Meet in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The Corvette was shown at the 2006 Palm Beach Concours d’Elegance, where it earned Best in Class honors.

Lot #37 1954 Corvette Roadster, Polo white with red interior. AACA and NCRS Awards

Gooding & Company’s auction is appropriately held at the prestigious Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall. Gooding caters to the serious collector, the collector willing to spend in excess of a million dollars. As a result many of the bidders are focused on going home with a specific car and they are going to prevail, at any price. Like the atmosphere in high stakes poker game there is a determined, show no emotion attitude among many of the high stake bidders. There is no better venue to see top quality classic cars and you might even witness a world record in the process.

Gooding and Company’s 2013 Scottsdale auction will take place on January 18th-19th at the Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall. Admission price is $30. Visit www.goodingco.com for more information.

Source:
Gooding and COmpany
Images Courtesy of Gooding and Company Photos by Brian Henniker

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The Corvette Enthusiast’s Preview to Russo and Steele’s 2013 Scottsdale Auction
The Corvette Enthusiast’s Preview to Barrett-Jackson’s 2013 Scottsdale Auction
The Corvette Enthusiast’s Preview to the Scottsdale Auctions