Geoff Stunkard is the author of this story and all photos.
The end total amount for sales at Dana Mecum’s Indy Classic was still being done as this is written, but when the last lot sold on Saturday evening, one thing was sure about Mopar – originality was a large factor in some amazing sales, led by the RTS Cuda show car that will be the cover subject of the August issue of Mopar Action. Chuck Miller drove the legendary 1970 E-Body that he had built for Chrysler to the auction block. When the hammer dropped, $2.2M was in the books. This is the record for a non-Hemi musclecar and surprised even those who were expecting it.
Most importantly, the car retained not only Miller’s sheetmetal and chrome modifications but his circa-late 1970 lacquer paint, designed by initial Hot Wheels toy series stylist Henry Bradley. Dave Wise has documented that the car was a pilot, built in Los Angeles and also features a Six Pack engine with matching numbers. TRTS Cuda is reportedly being returned to California and will remain in the United States.
The Black Ghost 1970 Challenger topped $1M, and was sold to the Quallls. Also featured in Mopar Action’s print magazine recently, there was a good deal of speculation going into the sale where the car would land, as a number of elite collectors had noted that the Ghost was more modified than most survivor-type cars are and a buyer would likely be faced with the difficult choice of preservation or restoration, Obviously the premium paid for this car during spirited bidding on Friday afternoon showed that possibility was not a deal-breaker. Congrats.
The 3rd Mopar topped the Top 10 with an Alpine White Hemi Superbird with a TorqueFliite Column Shift. This car was in excellent restored condition, and showed strength using this driveline. A 1971 Road Runner was just below in the final sale price. It became the talk of event before its $550,000 final hammer. Hemi/4 Speed Super Track Pack had 10,000 miles on its odometer, and it looked as if the car was owned by one person. Again, look at that price – there was 100%+ premium for its unrestored condition, and I can say as an eyewitness, the biggest players in the game were on this car before it went over the block.
The 1969 440/375HP GTX is a final highlight. The Road Runner was black on black, but this car was restored to perfection with a MCACN judging provenance. This car sold in the early afternoon on Saturday for a stellar $151,520. This is likely the best price ever for a non-convertible package 440-4Bbl.
You can find some great deals. Visit mecum.com to see the complete results. Remember (cue the music) – Plymouth Makes It!
