[Chief of the 60's]

Originally Posted by 71GP76TA

Car looks hacked together IMO. SS nose with a landau top??? 18k was a gift.

I place no extra value whatsoever on a car that was owned by a "famous" person. The car is still a car that drives like a car regardless of who touched the steering wheel or farted in the seat..

OMG! I never noticed that until you pointed it out. That is F'd up.

[400 4spd.]

Originally Posted by unruhjonny

I still don't quite know how to feel about being called an 'armchair quarterback' for suggesting that some people got great deals...

That's just a term often used by arrogant people who think they are wiser than you, but usually end up looking like an ass for the opinions they express.

[Chief of the 60's]

IRONY ^ ^ ^

[400 4spd.]

Like shooting fish in a barrel...........

[Chief of the 60's]

Armchair quarterback:

An armchair quarterback is also someone who second-guesses a decision someone else has made after the event is finished. Monday morning quarterback and armchair quarterback are interchangeable idioms.

[hgerhardt]

Originally Posted by 242177P

While it might be faster now, the earlier setup will (IMO) always be the Ponte Carlo.

Late 90's (or maybe early aughts) I remember Jim telling me about his plans to redo the Ponte with back-half, roll cage and huge displacement engine and I think different trans too. I practically begged him not to do it. It was a great street car as-is and needed no meddling.

Reason why I disagreed with him about modding the Ponte is that at the time, he also had a Monte Carlo that was a twin to the Ponte visually (even down to that silly Landau top), which was already back-halfed, roll caged, T-400, and a pretty stout SBC. I told him to just replace the SBC in that car with a big Pontiac motor and call it a day. Well, obviously he ignored me.

I think the only reason he had that twin Monte was to win street races where he had lost earlier in a night and was looking to get even. Basically hoping no one would notice they'd be doing a rematch with a different car.

[pont406]

the 1st time Randy's 63 Wagon went across the Mecum stage It brought 75K I think it was 2009 but might be wrong on year, but I know the person who bought it, it changed hand a couple times after that, would have to ask a friend what Greg sold it for after paying 75K for it. but it has sold for less every time since then

[Jack Gifford]

Jim himself would have made a terrible car salesman. I still feel guilty about him "donating" the Bandit Suburban to me for $3,000. Just the numbers-matching 455HO (now 467) is worth that much- not to mention the built 700R4, custom paint and interior, and American Racing wheels. Hard for me to believe that I've already gotten twelve years of enjoyment out of it- with no end in sight!

[unruhjonny]

correct me if I'm wrong, but twelve years ago that might have been what the 455HO engine was worth;
It sounds to me like he basicly passed it on to someone who would leave it alone and enjoy it as he built it.

If I'm correct, it seems he made a smart move.
Maybe one day I'll be lucky enough to see it in person!

[Chief of the 60's]

Originally Posted by pont406

the 1st time Randy's 63 Wagon went across the Mecum stage It brought 75K I think it was 2009 but might be wrong on year, but I know the person who bought it, it changed hand a couple times after that, would have to ask a friend what Greg sold it for after paying 75K for it. but it has sold for less every time since then

I forgot exactly what year but the car was built somewhere around 2000 for just under $200k, so by 2009 $75k was probably a bit more than what it was worth. By 2013 the car sold at auction for 30 grand which is all that it was worth. One thing is for certain, the only people making money on that car was Mecum as they obviously had a revolving door for that car as it crossed their block quite a few times. They also tried playing middle man to broker the car for at least 1 of the many owners.

Its really a sad story for a nice car when you think about it but that is what happens when passion and financil overspending come in contact with a crooked auction and the real world.

[pont406]

According to Dave Anderson, (who drove the 66 Geeto Tiger and is/was close to Jim) Jim's Nephew is handling the sale of Jim's cars, he also wasn't happy about the way things turned out

[U47]

Originally Posted by hgerhardt

Late 90's (or maybe early aughts) I remember Jim telling me about his plans to redo the Ponte with back-half, roll cage and huge displacement engine and I think different trans too. I practically begged him not to do it. It was a great street car as-is and needed no meddling.

Reason why I disagreed with him about modding the Ponte is that at the time, he also had a Monte Carlo that was a twin to the Ponte visually (even down to that silly Landau top), which was already back-halfed, roll caged, T-400, and a pretty stout SBC. I told him to just replace the SBC in that car with a big Pontiac motor and call it a day. Well, obviously he ignored me.

I think the only reason he had that twin Monte was to win street races where he had lost earlier in a night and was looking to get even. Basically hoping no one would notice they'd be doing a rematch with a different car.

Hiner, A little off the Ponte subject, but relates to the collection in general. What ever happened to the red 66 GTO conv. that you restored and sold to Jim?

[hgerhardt]

Originally Posted by U47

Hiner, A little off the Ponte subject, but relates to the collection in general. What ever happened to the red 66 GTO conv. that you restored and sold to Jim?

Hey Don, the president of AMCI (David Stokols) bought it from Jim back when he first started selling off his collection (2010 maybe?). This is the car that I tried to sell to JFK Jr, back in 1996. Here's some recent shots from the 2016 San Marino show:

[U47]

Originally Posted by hgerhardt

Hey Don, the president of AMCI (David Stokols) bought it from Jim back when he first started selling off his collection (2010 maybe?). This is the car that I tried to sell to JFK Jr, back in 1996. Here's some recent shots from the 2016 San Marino show:

Oh yes, I have that dossier that Jim wrote and you gave to me about the car and the road test with JFK Jr. where you scared the hell out of JFK Jr. on Sunset Blvd rowing through the gears! Nothing like a little Tri-Power action to get the endorphins released!