Story by David S. Wallens • Photography as Credited
Whether talking about a Capri or a Cobra, past sales usually hint towards tomorrow’s sale prices. But what about something that’s one of one?
Two cars that will cross the Mecum block later this week fall into that category. We’ve seen the cars, discussed it with a few friends, and wonder …
i will be shocked if the Bullitt hammers at less than $500k.
AngryCorvair said:i will be shocked if the Bullitt hammers at less than $500k.
I'm thinking multi-millions. I want to say $3m-$7m, but I realize that's a wide range.
For those who want to roll their own: How to Bullitt Your Mustang (or Celica).
I've seen the Challenger 2 several times (Danny lives about 10 miles from me in a rural part of southwestern Colorado), and heard Danny's talks about the effort. I know how much emotion and effort he has put into the lsr project, without a lot of sponsorship, and I hope he gets really big money for the car. It deserves to be in a major museum.
I agree with David on the Mustang.
There are two prices, what it’s worth, and what someone with Way too much money is willing to pay to have it !
Really now, no matter how cool the dead guy might have been, it really doesn’t change The Car... except I can say Steve McQueen drove it, and the kids will say “Who ?”
Will anything Dirty Harry ( Clint Eastwood ) drove be worth base + 1 million ?
The second part that I find annoying is that none of our kids, or their kids will in any likelyhood be able to afford any Classic.
unless of course some old bugger dies off and only paupers show up at a no reserve auction...
I guess I’m also just cheap ;)
In reply to Don2001l :
What do you think Dirty Harry's 44 magnum might be worth? That was his signature prop, just as the mustang was Lieutenant Frank Bullit's.
In reply to elwoodboll :
That’s the question, how much more will someone pay because he held a prop like it... too much ;)
Small data point that may or may not mean anything: A little more than two years ago, Paul Newman's Rolex fetched $17.8m.
In reply to David S. Wallens :
WoW - There is Someone with way tooooooo much money...
but it was a Classic Rolex ( Hey ! where is the Roll Eyes smiley ;) )
the price of gold these days... $2,200.oo,
so did the watch weight 7,727 ounces ? (482 lbs )
Bullitt Mustang will bring big $$$ because of it's provenance. Incidently, I met Kierman in the fall of 74 right after he bought the car. He was selling a nice Alfa GT Jr that I was interested in buying, I liked the Alfa but was affraid of the small 1300 motor.
Sort of related: The dune buggy from the Thomas Crown will soon be offered as well.
A normal example : Porsche 356A with a Bench seat - $125,000
If it would have been “the Girl friends” Speedster he drove in the movie you add a zero !!!
That pricing has no basis in reality ?
( Sorry, I’m rambling/ranting )
David S. Wallens said:Sort of related: The dune buggy from the Thomas Crown will soon be offered as well.
Ok, now your just taunting me ;)
Googling - a Authentic Myers Manx Dune buggy - seller is asking $45,000 ( others listed from 5,000 to 15,000)
Put McQueen + Fay Dunaway in it and Add a million !
Two words: supply and demand.
But, seriously, here's my take: Things are often cooler when there's a good story behind them. Here's my example. It doens't involve Steve McQueen, but it makes me happy.
My friend Craig professionally raced BMX for years. In fact, we met at a race a million years ago. During his career he rode for several top factory teams, including Mongoose.
He had his own frame company for a few years, too, but I didn't have one back in the day. Well, a few years ago, he was cleaning up and offered some for sale--including the one that he raced, complete with battle scars and everything. Of course I bought it. 
And there's a slight chance that it's this very frame--he's not 100% sure:
I forget what I paid for the frame. The price was reasonable--very reasonable. Would I have paid a few bucks more because it's the one that he raced? Totally. Why? Cool story. And Craig.
While I agree, that having something with some history, or some unique creation certainly has more meaning that a new one off the shelf, but I can’t believe the premium that ends up being paid for some of those items during the bidding frenzy !
It just seems Crazy ( to me ).
There is no Magical power infused into the article during its use durring those N days where it was driven by “What’s his name “ ( speaking generically about any car used as a movie prop) , it has few differences between the one you could buy off the shelf or off the showroom floor, other than the fact that it’s use has been etched into the public conscientiousness because of the association we make between those items ( thing + movie + person ).
I get into the same debate on the Miata forum when someone thinks a Wooden Nardi shift knob, Ebrake lever handle and Magenta sparkle metallic paint color is worth an extra $2,000
For some of those articles there is only One, so if you Really want it and have Way too much money you can probably get it ;)
In 24 hours, we'll know what the Bullitt Mustang is worth. Think it will top $10m?
Can we get a list of bidders and some background checks on them ?
4.5 Million ? ( little finger at the mouth corner ) [Autin Power’s référence ]
A “practical” number $ 100,000 ( ok maybe $400,000 )
Sold -3,400,000 ( I had to watch ) now that I’m invested ;)
Now - if you want to go on to the second course - I’ll open a can of worms...
It’s sort of in rough shape, bumpers, cowl etc...
Do you restore it to the movie year like *New* or let it continue to rot away...
Its not my car - but I would not want it to degrade any further, so what to do:
Clear coat it ? ( jk )
Partial restoration ( like what you guys did to the GT 350 ) my choice.
Full restoration ! ( remove the tape from the speedo)
Yeah, sold right in the ballpark. So, yeah, restore it or keep it as is?
Hmmmmm......
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