'66 Dodge D-Dart at Mecum auction

[bigshow2966]

Originally Posted by FECARMAN

No sale at Mecum. Price $35,000. This may not be real money since it was a no sale. I never trust the money on a no sale.

Never trust the money on an auction "sale" either. Too many of the supposed big dollar sales have been proven to be shill auctions or outright frauds.

Not hating here, but I can not understand the car not selling for $35K. The early A bodies are an odd lot with not much of a following, and the D-Darts just don't have that much history. A good early A will rarely ever go over $10K, I'd think $35K would be a gift.

[Paul Ceasrine]

Well put "bigshow296".
Without any history (Paper-trail) hard to think the owner passed up a
legitimate offer of $35,000.
FECARMAN may be closer to the truth, "Monopoly" money!!!

If you look closely at this car, many things do not look correct. I'm no expert, but I know a little. I'll list errors later
The Ellis Collection lists the car as "described as"
And also states; "This particular example"
And Galen Govier decoding states that the D-Dart was built at
Hamtramck on April 17, 1966.
But, was THIS car built their on THIS date, and is THIS car an original
D-Dart?
Message to the owner.. That was a generous offer $35,000.
Message to the buyer...."Caveat emptor"
PC

[ddartdude]

Paul,
Yes it is a true D/Dart. I'll vouch for it. Having spent many hours working on this particular car, I learned a lot about the D/Darts and how to verify ones authenticity. There are a lot of things wrong on the car. I could make a list a lot longer then yours. But I won't. I just hope they fix the blatient mistakes before it goes on the block again.

At $35-$40K, I don't think they would break even on the car. With it being a 1 of 50 car, they put a lot of money into it. I'd like to see it go for $50K or more. That would make my other one a little more valuable.
Alan

[X-TECH MAN]

I told you guys a long time ago that it was a poor restoration. Those cars are not worth anywhere near that kind of money no matter how much is invested to restore them.

[bigshow2966]

The early A bodies are red-headed step-children just like '66-7 B bodies. Neat cars, but just don't attract the money and love.

I've owned and raced a '66 Valiant 2 door post car for almost 10 years and even I think they're ugly.

[Paul Ceasrine]

Alan,
Your closer to the car than anyone. So if it's an LO23D62 car, then the
VIN# is proper verification. Even if some posted info states that they were an LP23 (P = Premium), instead of an LO23 (O = Super Stock)
The general resto looks very good (ie; paint and interior).
The problem in selling the car might be, is that a D-Dart expert (not too many out there) might want a perfect or near-perfect D-Dart.
The non-experts (some collectors, out for profit only) might not be completely sure of what they are puchasing.
By the looks of the car, I don't doubt that there was an exhausting effort
put forth. But some of the little things could have been corrected.
Remember, limited production of a vehicle means nothing. It's the
consumer interest that drives the wheels.
I can get my hands on a 68' 340 Cuda (virgin and unre-stored), but I'm not sure I want to go through the time and effort of restoring it, and trying to sell it to make a profit. I know what the market will bear a 68' 340, and as nice as those cars are, I can't make the move. I'll lose money, not including all of the sweat equity.

Paul

[bill dedman]

The "collector car market" hasn't done any favors for those who just want to buy a car and race it.

The inflated prices that are collected for restored examples only serve to enrichen the restorer (and sometimes the auction company,) and make existing, un-restored cars worth more money, so, when a true hobbyist finds the car he wants to race, or just fix up into a neat street car, it ends up either being financially unattainable, or costs him a lot more than he would have paid, if it were not for "collectors" who use the hobby to make money.

I remember when you could buy all the '57 Chevy 2-door hardtops you wanted for about $200.00 apiece...complete and running. There was no "collector car" market, then...

Try to find one now, to turn into a Super Stocker...

I think it's a shame.

[Paul Ceasrine]

Bill,
The "Shark was Jumped" back in 2006, at Scottsdale, Arizona.
The "Ray Allen" "Briggs Chevrolet", 1970 1/2" SS454 Chevelle,
NHRA SS/EA record holder went for $1,200,000.
The big winners, Ray Allen. And a very nice commision check to
Barrett-Jackson.
The losers, everyone else involved in the Musclecar genre'.
Even Ray Allen was laughing at the way the (2) bidders were going
out-of-control. Barrett-Jackson pushed that bid way over the boundary.
Things really got out-of-control. It seems that now, the market is
leveling out, and maybe soon will be back where it belongs.
As for the D-Dart. Alan, what # car is that. If L023.....888 is the #1 car
(Ted Spehar's) and LO23....937 in Georgia is #50. Then what # is the car being auctioned. Will $30,000 do?
Paul