Predictions Vs. Results 09/26/22

I gave this 1987 Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet the once-over and called it: $110K. Then I learned that the Carfax-specified “odometer rollback” was a “clerical error” (a Canadian mechanic mistook miles for kilometers). So I added $15k to the upper range in case bidders were aware. They weren’t.

I liked this 1986 Mercedes-Benz all day at $18k. It outpaced my expectations by $6k. The new owner didn’t overpay if you consider how clean and tidy it is, and how much pleasure these waft-mobiles provide on a sunny spring or fall afternoon.

I had this 1999 Mercedes Benz SL500 at $45k to $52k. Who knew it had paintwork? Not me! Not until after the sale. With all-original paint and low miles and color, the unconventionally colored Merc would for-sure have done $50k. Even more if it came with the pano top. The bid topped-out at $42k.

The “But it’s not a 911!” Porsche 944 Turbo continues to soak-up real money. It’s hard to imagine a 1986 Porsche 944 with 74k miles bringing more than the original MSRP (without adjusting for inflation). But not impossible. Obviously,

My phone was ringing before the 1995 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1‘s last hour on the auction block. “Tony! You’re pazzo! These Lotus-engined Vette’s? They ain’t nowhere near sixty grand! Forty-five maybe.” The Bowling Green bomber hammered for $63,500. Bullseye!

With a high reserve and no equipment on a hard-riding 2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT R Roadster – a car you couldn’t give AMG GT-loving Farago – my first comment to the Rhode Island native: I bet we see a safety bid to protect the price of an after-the-sale sale. In other words, a fake bid. Crazy right? I’m sure those kind of shenanigans never happen on BAT or elsewhere. But they could, know what I mean? Anyway, no sale.