Phil Silva's Convertible Collection at auction

[WWMCMike]

Phil Silva, long time collector and Yenko.net member, will be selling his convertible collection next Saturday April 30th, 2011 at The Worldwide Auctioneers Houston Classic Auction in Seabrook, Tx. His triple black Hemi 'Cuda Convertible as well as a few others will be offered. For more information, visit www.wwgauctions.com (http://www.wwgauctions.com)

Phil's cars:
Lot#42 1969 R code 4 speed Mustang Convertible
Lot#45 1970 Chevelle LS6 Convertible
Lot#48 1970 Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda Convertible
Lot#54 1970 Buick GS Stage 1 Cobvertible
Lot#57 1969 Chevrolet Camaro L78 Convertible
Lot#60 1970 Oldsmobile 442 W-30 Convertible

[John]

Interesting auction lineup... <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/drool.gif

[Fast67VelleN2O]

That is the ultimate convertible lineup!

[Stefano]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Fast67VelleN2O</div><div class="ubbcode-body">That is the ultimate convertible lineup! </div></div>

Agreed!

[Xplantdad]

I think so as well...plus seeing Phil take the LS6 to the Supercar reunion a few years ago was really cool!

[Charley Lillard]

I know my favorite.

[70 Forest Green Zee]

Just buy them all Charley <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

[mockingbird812]

Great collection. That Camaro speaks to me. Looks great from all angles and what a set of options!

[Charley Lillard]

I can attest that I found and removed the tank sticker from the 69 L78 convert. It is the orig engine and trans with the orig engine pad stamping. Real paperwork etc. That was my favorite go to car for years when my Wife and I wanted to go to car shows etc. It just drove great.

[70 Forest Green Zee]

the 69 Camaro is just stunning in that color combo... from your post Charley am I correct in assuming that you owned that car at some point???

[Charley Lillard]

I was the third owner and owned it for at least 10 years. I had it on the cover of Musclecar Review in 1990.

[al8apex]

link to 69 L78 convertible:

http://www.wwgauctions.com/auctions/details.cfm?vehicleID=6&amp;id=33

I bought a real L78 69 Camaro convertible from the original owner in the mid 70's

It too, had the dog dish wheels, the owner told us he wanted the highest horse engine he could get in a convertible. He ordered NOTHING else other than a convertible and the L78. The dealer &quot;threw in&quot; a console and a rear window defogger, and that was how the car was delivered. No ps, no power top, no radio, standard 3 speed trans, no posi, no tinted windows, no white letter tires, nothing. It was white on white standard interior, black side SS stripes.

We cleaned it up and painted it. Sold it to a kid that parked cars as a valet in the tonier section of Bloomfield Hills Michigan. The 1st thing he did was hack the door panels for speakers and install a aftermarket (day 2 for sure) stereo. Lost track of the car and haven't heard of it again.

[njsteve]

Anyone have any info on the red Stage 1 ragtop and where it was from originally? Growing up in New Haven, CT there was a local Exxon gas station just over the bridge in East Haven on I-95. The mechanics there played with all sorts of Buick Stage 1's including a primered, endura bumper equipped, 69 Camaro with a Buick Stage 1 under the hood.

They had at least half a dozen Stage 1's there at all times, including a red and white '70 Stage 1 convertible that was owned by a doctor if I recall correctly. I wonder if it's the same car?

[PeteLeathersac]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Charley Lillard</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I was the third owner and owned it for at least 10 years. I had it on the cover of Musclecar Review in 1990. </div></div>

<span style="font-style: italic">&quot;...A feature article on this car by Super Chevy in the January 1990 issue states that there were two subsequent owners until its acquisition by Warren Friedrich, who was the owner at the time of the publication...&quot;</span>

So Friedrich was the name you were going by then Charley, er I mean Warren?.

<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif
~ Pete

[67L78conv]

I could handle having any of his great collection.

Stage 1 Convertible (http://www.wwgauctions.com/auctions/details.cfm?vehicleID=9&amp;id=33)

[StealthBird]

Wow, some cool cars! Not to take anything away from Phil's collection, but this 58 Eldorado Biarritz ragtop looks incredible, 2010 Cadillac-LaSalle Club Grand National Best in Show Winner, estimated to bring $250K-$300K.

Linky: http://www.wwgauctions.com/auctions/details.cfm?vehicleID=1&amp;id=33

http://www.wwgauctions.com/photos/33/1/1.jpg

[StealthBird]

Here's the 70 W-30 4-speed convertible.

There's a mistake in the description, it says it has four-wheel independent suspension. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/no.gif

http://www.wwgauctions.com/auctions/details.cfm?vehicleID=7&amp;id=33

[RAIIIT/A]

&quot;According to the original sales contract, chassis 124679L530378 was built in Van Nuys and sold new to James and Katherine Bird by Parker Robb Chevrolet in Walnut Creek, California.&quot;

My folks bought a brand new Blazer at that dealership.

[olredalert]

----Why do I remember there being a red stripe on Warrens/Charlies Camaro??? Its really stuck in my mind that I saw it at the GM Nationals at Carlisle with red hockey-sticks.......Bill S

[PeteLeathersac]

MuscleCar Review January 1990:

http://hotimg23.fotki.com/a/76_75/117_170/MuscleCarReview1990January-vi-th.jpg (http://hotimg23.fotki.com/p/a/76_75/117_170/MuscleCarReview1990January-vi.jpg)

I like the steelies/dog caps look!.
Which was original equipment to the car?.

<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif
~ Pete

[70 Forest Green Zee]

Looks to me like the grill was painted argent silver back then when it was on the cover of this magazine. It has since been painted black in the pics posted at the auction site.

[black69]

that convert is to die for.

what caught my eye were these:

http://www.wwgauctions.com/auctions/details.cfm?vehicleID=18&amp;id=33

If only I had the funds to get that merc <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/frown.gif

http://www.wwgauctions.com/auctions/details.cfm?vehicleID=92&amp;id=33

that is a perfect color z. wow.

[Mr. Chevy]

Love that parchment interior on the Camaro...

Rich

[bashton]

We were honored to be able to host Phil and his incredible black on black Hemi Cuda convertible at MCACN 2010. Having the lineup of four 1970 Hemi Cuda Convertibles was just mind blowing, and Phils black beauty was indeed one of the stars of the show.

Best of luck, Phil; somebody is going to get an amazing and historically interesting automobile! Oh...and the others he is offering aint too shabby either! lol

Bashton
MCACN Managing Member
www.mcan.com (http://www.mcan.com)

[Charley Lillard]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 70 Forest Green Zee</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Looks to me like the grill was painted argent silver back then when it was on the cover of this magazine. It has since been painted black in the pics posted at the auction site. </div></div>
Yes...The grill was black when I got it but someone who shall remain nameless convinced me it should be silver....I cringe ever time I see that cover. At that time it was the first L78 Camaro convert Tom Shaw had ever seen.

[Charley Lillard]

I sold the car to Warren. Warren was 4th owner.I think I paid 15K for the car including a finders fee..I think the steel XT wheels are coded on the build sheet.

[JIM]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Charley Lillard</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I can attest that I found and removed the tank sticker from the 69 L78 convert. It is the orig engine and trans with the orig engine pad stamping. Real paperwork etc. That was my favorite go to car for years when my Wife and I wanted to go to car shows etc. It just drove great. </div></div>
Charley is that the same one that sold out at Monterey Russo Steele in @2004 I know you were there as I was that night?

[Charley Lillard]

Yep...And I'm gonna go this time as well.

[442w30]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: olredalert</div><div class="ubbcode-body">----Why do I remember there being a red stripe on Warrens/Charlies Camaro??? Its really stuck in my mind that I saw it at the GM Nationals at Carlisle with red hockey-sticks.......Bill S </div></div>

Because the article stated that it originally came with red stripes but the guy to restored it used white stripes.

[Charley Lillard]

When I bought it the white stripes were on it but the second owner told me when he painted it he took the red stripes off. I found NOS red door stripes at Portland swap meet years ago and I believe they will be included with the car. I would put the red stripes back on.

[70 Forest Green Zee]

you gonna buy it back Charley????

[Charley Lillard]

No...I'm between money....

[70 Forest Green Zee]

Oh I'm sure if you really wanted this car you could scrape a few bucks together <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif

[SBR]

Does anyone have the auction results for Phils cars? I hope he did well.

[Charley Lillard]

He sold the LS6 convert, the R code Mustang convert and either the Stage 1 or W30 but can't remember what he said as I'm home instead of there because of surgery yesterday so drugs are good for pain but bad for memory.

[SBR]

Thanks Charley, get well soon!

[mmcporter]

Hope you feel better soon, Charley

[Charley Lillard]

Stage 1 convert 115K
LS6 convert 215K
Mustang convert 130K

I would say the auction had real buyers.

I had foot surgery so I will live but might need to mooch a golf cart at Indy..

[SBR]

What did the hemicuda convertible bid to?

[Charley Lillard]

I think there was hard money at 1.4 mil and they are still working with buyer.

[L78M22Rag]

And the L78 Camaro convert???

[PhilS]

The numbers reported are pretty close. The Cuda was 1.45 high bid and the Camaro was 220. Both cars are still being worked buy the auction house. High bid on the W-30 was 190. The bids were real as far as I know and there were buyers, plural on all the cars. Thanks for all the positive comments here. Over all I think the money was pretty reflective of values on the sold cars. I took off the reserve on the Mustang thinking we might encourage some better bids but it died right there. Of the three sold cars it was the only one I felt should have pulled more. The Chevelle is a good solid car but is more of a driver at this point so 215 seems about right.

[Xplantdad]

Good for you Phil! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

[iluv69s]

I figured the LS-6 vert. much more valuable than the L-78 vert....I guess it was because of condition of each car.

But congrats on the sales..and I hope you work something out on the other cars !! Good Luck !

[Charley Lillard]

I'll bet I can find more documented LS6 converts than documented 69 L78 converts. Yes the Camaro had a better and fresher restoration. Camaro also had it's orig. engine and the LS6 did not.

[iluv69s]

Thanks Charlie, I did not realize the LS-6 did not have it's original engine...that makes a big difference.

I'm happy to see that number for the L-78 vert....
especially since I have finally started restoring my 69 L-78 Indy !!