If I had A Bidder's Paddle At Bonhams' 2024 Scottsdale Sale

1940 Buick Special Convertible Coupe Model 46C

It seems just about any vintage convertible produced by a division within a multi-make conglomerate will have a fair amount of on-the-block clout in today’s market. Especially one produced on either side of WW II, in which flowing coachwork, a silky-smooth engine, and any hint of a plush interior came to embody the essence of open air, open road motoring at a luxury-like pace. Case in point is this entry level 1940 Buick Special convertible coupe.

In Buick vernacular, the car is known simply as a Model 46C, and each of the 3,664 built that year were equipped with the division’s 248-cu.in. straight-eight engine that boasted 107 hp. The engine was paired with a three-speed manual transmission, and the chassis’ 121-inch wheelbase and cabin design were such that the Model 46C offered room for five passengers.

The early history of this example wasn’t known; however, it was reported that the Buick had been restored in the early 2000’s. Details were lacking between then and the Special’s purchase by the Maine Classic Car Museum Collection via one of the Owls Head Transportation Museum’s auctions in 2017. It’s use thereafter was said to be light while maintenance was described as fastidious.

Veteran readers know I’m an unashamed Buick Man, and this one was right up my ally. The prior “light use” knocked the Buick down a couple pegs from perfect, yet it presented well enough to win accolades at local events; though honestly, I’d rather spend my warm summer days driving it endless miles. The catch was Bonhams set a presale estimate of $40,000 - $50,000. It made sense, considering that during the last five years, only two such examples have sold at public auction for an average price of $40,000. Still, my gut said the hammer price could be a drop-top bargain. The sale price of $31,360 confirmed that.

1957 Hudson Hornet Custom V-8 Sedan

Somewhere, someone is groaning. Sporting a front fascia that was likely rivaled only by Edsel a year later, Hudson’s models on the market for 1957 were, well, unflattering. For the benefit of those new to the world of vintage vehicles, Hudson’s storied past had been suffering from a downward spiral despite stock car racing accolades, enough that it merged with Nash in 1954 and moved operations to Kenosha, Wisconsin. In conjunction with the move, Hudson used Nash bodies and chassis for the ’55 and up models, and the seemingly simple alterations in trim and some panels fooled few. Sales continued to decline, and the brand was discontinued after ‘57.

Only one model was available for 1957, which was offered in two trim levels: the entry series Super V-8 sedan and hardtop coupe, and the Custom V-8 series in the same two body styles. Depicted here is a Custom V-8 sedan, one of just 1,256 built. A same year Bel Air it is clearly not, though this one was on par with the Chevy – and other such popular models – thanks to its factory-installed options, including power steering, power brakes, an AM pushbutton radio, electric clock, and heater. Of equal importance, behind the funky grille design lay AMC’s venerable 255-hp, 327-cu.in. V-8 engine, backed by a Hydra-Matic automatic transmission.

According to the placard, it was believed that the interior may have been replaced once, and that the exterior wore most of its original two-tone Mojave Yellow and Avocado paint. Patina was ample inside and out, and while we agree that it seemed portions of the interior were replaced, overspray in key areas outside made us think some of the paint had been reapplied more than 40 years ago or so.

I chalked both up to “inconsequential” in my notepad. A rare late-Fifties car like this was all but begging to be driven, regardless of the $30,000 - $40,000 presale estimate. It’s bottom-of-the-barrel popularity ranking had me thinking “cheap buy.” That’s because during the last five years, just six second-gen Hudson Hornets (1955-’57) sold at public auction – all of which were in restored condition – for a collective average of $17,650. My hunch was right, as this example sold for just $12,320.

1967 Toyota Corona 1900 Deluxe

Out of left field comes this 1967 Toyota Corona. My, how far the company has come. How many of us remember seeing these quirky, “midsize” family sedans hit the market and think, “They’ll never make it?” Truth be told, the Corona was one of Toyota’s proverbial reset buttons, which did well to shed its stogy looks from the early Fifties. What’s more, they offered fine amenities, economical operating costs, and a healthy 90-hp, 1,879-cc four-cylinder engine.

Apparently, this sedan was the very first car sold by then-new Rich Toyota of Huntington, Virginia. According to the placard, “When the first owner traded it back a few years later, the dealer principle, Chris Wallace, jumped at the chance to keep the car and display it in his showroom, and it stayed there until the late 1990s/early 2000s when the dealership was sold and renamed Advantage Toyota. Mr. Wallace took the Corona with him when he retired, ultimately parking it on the roadside with a For Sale sign in the window. It was subsequently acquired by the owner of an Ashland, Kentucky-based new car dealer, and displayed in his large and eclectic museum…Following an unfortunate encounter with the IRS, his collection was dispersed, and the Toyota Corona passed through the hands of other collectors who, thankfully, recognized its rarity and exceptionally original condition.”

In short, this looked to be a true all-original car that boasted a presale estimate of $14000 - $18,000. A review of the last five years revealed that just eight Coronas – spanning the 1966-’69 models years – have sold at public auction for an average cost of $7,270. Of those, not a single example bore a 1967 VIN tag. Our featured Corona Deluxe brought $12,320; below estimate, but above average. Would you consider this a bargain buy, or not?