First, a confession.

Your crusading (auction) reporter became part of the problem at Branson, spending the entire weekend on the auction block introducing the cars. I left with a new-found appreciation for the work of the auction promoter (in this case Jim and Kathy Cox of Collector Cars International), who assemble the consignments, bring the bidders and arrange and manage the venue, and the block crew (Dan Kruse, Brent Earlywine and Rod Egan backed up by Becky Rose in the office and a host of incredibly hard working staffers on the block). This is an event, like a concert, play or large meeting, that's managed with hard work and a sensitivity to the mood of the audience that's remarkable.

After more than a decade watching auctions it was an eye-opening experience to be an active participant and my appreciation of, and respect for, the abilities, efforts and skill of those in the auction business has grown by an order of magnitude.

Now, down to business - well, sort of. Coming just six weeks after September Eleven, Branson was something of a bellwether. The Coxes had assembled a good range of consignments and their efforts and the Middle-American attraction of Branson (a subject deserving a separate treatment of its own) brought a record number of registered bidders. In the end, eliminating re-runs, 167 of 278 automotive lots offered were sold, a very respectable sale percentage of 60.1% and a total, including 5% buyer's commission, of $2,152,973. One further lot was sold after the auction, a like-new Country Coach motorhome that brought something on the order of $½ million. Reflecting the kind of consignments, the average sale was $12,300 with commission; the median sale was $9,450.

The weekend's top sale was the GTD40 at $64,050 which is described below. "Diverse consignments" is something of an understatement. From an Isetta 300 (sold $11,865) to a '63 Split Window Fuelie Corvette (no sale at $47,500), an immaculate 1985 AACA-winning '49 Crosley convertible (sold at $8,715) to a Shelby GT500KR Convertible (no sale at $71,000), a Pontiac Fiero GT (sold for $2,783) to a Dino 308GT4 (sold for $18,113), a one-owner '65 Ford Galaxie 500 convertible with 390/330hp V8 and 3-speed (sold for $8,400) to a 1937 Ford "Express" pickup (sold for $12,600).

Don Williams and Richie Clyne's Hershey Auction two weeks before Branson showed there's still money for quality classics; Branson demonstrated the average enthusiast is still in the market for fun, usable modestly-priced cars. With a little encouragement from quality introductions.

. . . . . . .

1965 GTD GT 40 MkI Replica Coupe

Lot # 175 1965 GTD GT 40 MkI Replica Coupe; S/N 0432SBLAU66; Black / Grey leather; Rebodied or re-created, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $61,000 plus commission of 5.00%; Final Price: $64,050 -- Freshly built GTD40 replica with Ford 302 SVO crate engine, 4-barrel carb, 180 degree exhaust system, A/C and Audi 5-speed transmission. Superbly constructed to a very high standard, excellent paint and interior -- although the luxury seats don't give much headroom and may require a Gurney-bubble in the top of the door. With even street-version Mk IIIs bringing $300,000 or so the "ordinary" enthusiast is priced out of the market for a real GT40. While not having much in the way of investment potential, high quality replicas like this are an understandable indulgence and much more practical and economical for weekend fun, or even a fast commuter car, than the real thing. With a bulletproof Ford crate motor, a 1-year warranty from Audi on the transaxle, working R134 air conditioning to offset the GT40's abysmal ventilation and construction quality that would embarrass the Ford SV crew at Slough the new owner is going to have a barrel of fun at a very reasonable cost and should, if the occasion arises, be able to find a similarly-inclined enthusiast willing to part with comparable money for a dose of driving exhilaration. -- Collector Cars Int'l/eBay-Kruse, Branson, 10/21/2001.

. . . . . . .