Auction Preview: Leake’s Oklahoma City Auction
Leake Auctions has been an Oklahoma institution for car enthusiasts since the mid-1960s and now holds four annual sales in its home state and in Texas. The company’s Oklahoma City auction, scheduled for February 20-21, 2015, is one of Leake’s smaller events, but the auction still draws approximately 500 vehicles for sale and will feature two lanes of vehicles running.
While Leake’s offerings tend to focus on American muscle, with a big modified contingent, but there are always surprising consignments that make the whole mix interesting. Here are five that we locked in on while reviewing the lot list.
Hagerty Price Guide: $49,000 – $115,000
Aston Martins have been caught in an updraft over the past several years, and prices for cars from the 1960s in particular have doubled and in some casess tripled since 2009. This movement has widened the gap between the earlier models and the Astons of the 1970s, which makes cars likethe Aston V8 seem like relative bargains. This particular example is a U.S.-sped Series III version with the imposing hood scoop and a ZF 5-speed. The V8 was certainly Aston Martin’s take on a muscle car, but it might be a fish out of water amont the big blocks in OKC and slip by unnoticed.
1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham
Hagerty Price Guide: $64,300 – $156,000
Coupes and convertibles get all the glory, but the Eldorado Brougham is one of the coolest cars of the 1950s, regardless of how many doors it has. It was an ultra-exclusive (only 305 were produced), hand-built Cadillac that boasted a list price in excess of $13,000 (nearly 2.5 times the price of Lincoln’s most expensive sedan). Survivorship today is good, and the stainless steel hardtop and suicide doors give it a fresher feel than a lot of cars from the 1950s. This particular example doesn’t appear to be in pristine condition, which could make the cost of entry attractive.
1964 Ford F-100 Styleside Short Bed Pickup
Hagerty Price Guide: $3,600 – $21,500
Even if they compromise utility a bit, short-bed trucks have the best proportions and the biggest following. The 1964 model year was the first for the styleside bed, which was another visual plus. This specific example has had some cosmetic attention, but very much looks the part of a wor ing truck. Values have been climbing steadily but driver examples are still within the reach of most folks. This one represents a lot of fun at an affordable price.
2002 Chevrolet Camaro SS 35th Anniversary Edition
Hagerty Price Guide: $8,900 – $30,400
The Camaro’s initial run came to an end in 2002, 35 years after it was introduced. Chevrolet held a wake of sorts by issuing the 35th Anniversary Edition Camaro, which included red paint with silver stripes, special wheels, and extra badging, among other items. Today, these close-out cars are attractive to Camaro collectors as a bookmark to the Camaro’s continuous production. This one looks clean and should inspire some paddle raises.
1974 Chevrolet Corvette convertible
Hagerty Price Guide: $13,100 – $49,400
By 1974, the Corvette had lost its chrome bumpers and its biggest motor equaled the power output of the standard V-8 from just three years earlier (at least nominally). For those reasons these cars are often overlooked, and their values reflect that. This model has a matching-numbers LS4 that is equipped with aluminum heads, and while the auto trans might make people turn away, it will also make the car even more affordable.
