Sotheby's auction at Hershey- Beware
 

Concerning Lot #174 which is a '61 SS 409 car. I documented this car back in '92 when it was owned by Dale Armstrong. The VIN is correct as well as the body number but the tag has been modified to reflect the current Arbor Green on green colors. The car was originally Twilight Turquoise with a turquoise interior. I also noticed what appears to be some metal work behind the VIN tag. There is no mention of it having been Dale's car in the listing.
I'm concerned because I can't see why anyone would take that restored car completely apart to change to those colors. IT also has the original Shop Order GM tag on the cowl, making it one of one. But the question exists as to whether the tags have been removed from Dales car (along with the driveline and other options) and placed on a Green car. Someone needs to get under it and check the frame VIN derivitive.
I'm trying to contact someone at Sotheby's now.

This car should be pulled from the auction until some questions are answered.

Verne

PS: The car is scheduled to go through the auction this evening.

The fact that it's a Shop Order car means that any combination of options could have been specified by the Exec who had it built. It always had AC (as Dale found it). This car is (was maybe) the only other '61 409 car in existence, other than the Dan Gurney car, that has its original engine.

I've been in contact with a rep at the auction and he will try to verify the frame VIN.

Verne

'

Subject VIN 11837L155023

RM-Southebys Oct. 2017 Auction
Lot #174 link...
https://www.rmsothebys.com/en/auctio...t-coupe/535012


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Twilight Turquoise with Dale driving in '95
Attachment 101154

It even still has the same plate. Well done bringing this to light Verne.


Jason

Lucky to have you looking out for the early cars Verne with your extensive knowledge. Hopefully, it's been brought to light in time to save someone a lot of grief.

Of course, it begs the question - why would someone ruin such a spectacular car in the first place?

I can't stop looking at this car...absolutely love this car and especially the color.

Car was hammered sold for $105K.

"This car should be pulled from the auction until some questions are answered."
They can't just pull a car from a auction because someone says something isn't right. People spend alot of money to put a car in a auction. If they pulled a car everytime someone said something was fishy there would be a bunch of people saying something was fishy just to screwup someone elses auction.

Maybe "pulling it" would be too strong of a reaction. When I told the auction person about the issue with the cowl tag, he said he'd look into it and if need be, revise the description of the car. They could have stated that there had been a color change and the tag was modified to reflect that, but nothing was said. Afterall, who the hell am I? I'm just some jerk who called in from nowhere with a story. He never bothered to call me back (as promised0 to let me know what they had discovered.

Here's the tracing of the tag that Dale sent to me before he restored the car.
Attachment 101164

Here's the tag on the car now
Attachment 101165

Verne