Equipment
Painted wire wheels, blackwall tires.
Condition
This car has been in California since new, one family owned until 2003. It has clearly been cherished, and the 72,528 miles are represented as correct. A good repaint in the original British Racing Green - including the wire wheels - highlights the straight bodywork and good panel fit. The charmingly worn interior is too inviting to replace but the seat cushions would benefit from being carefully restuffed. Under the hood the engine is clean and correct and affirms that this car has been loved and driven. The bumpers are checked, the grille badge cracked and the taillights faded to blonde, but the car had a crowd around it all day.
Market commentary
Reported sold at the McCormicks' Palm Springs auction in November 2003 for $40,280 when the odometer displayed 70,868 miles, then at Gooding's auction here in Scottsdale in 2009 for $61,600. The price it realized here is a tribute to its originality -- although most observers rate it repainted, not original paint as cataloged.