Russo and Steele Auction

[Duke W.]

The R&S auction is Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nearby the B-J location. Both Delmo Johnson's '62 and '63 Sebring racers are on the block and the estimated prices are over $1 million.

I've heard stories that Delco actually had TWO race prepped Daytona Blue SWCs. Anyone else ever heard that?

At our October Chapter Meet we toured a warehouse in Orange County that was full of Corvettes including Delmo's '63 racer and a number of L-88s, all of which were C3s IIRC.

The collection is being liquidated, and I think a number of these cars are consigned with R&S this weekend.

http://www.russoandsteele.com

It should be an interesting weekend!

Duke

[Warren F.]

Re: Russo and Steele Auction

Duke;

The brochure sent to me shows 3 '68 L-88's and 1 '69 L89.

[John H.]

Re: Russo and Steele Auction

Duke, if you're going to be at the R&S auction, say hello to Drew Alcazar (R&S owner) for me; he and Craig Jackson were regular Viper customers for me and picked theirs up each year at the plant. Drew worked for Craig at the time, then went out on his own and formed Russo & Steele.

[Duke W.]

Re: Russo and Steele Auction

I'm not going over (last time was '01), but I wish I was. It's a very interesting year for '63s.

There are so many big blocks (many of questionable authenthicity) going for $150K that I find it boring, but David's Z-06 at B-J and Delmo's '63 racer (R&S) have my undivided attention.

Back in '01 there was a "'65 396" that I looked closely at on the field before it went on the block. The VIN sequence numbers was in the 5000s!

It's only gotten worse since then.

Duke

[Michael H.]

Re: Russo and Steele Auction

Yep, pretty hard to fake a 63. It either IS a split window, or it's NOT. No phony paperwork and stories required.

[Duke W.]

Re: Russo and Steele Auction

What about turning a low option base engine car into a high option FI car? The difference in value is at least 2X.

Duke

[Michael H.]

Re: Russo and Steele Auction

Good point. I think a phony 67 L88 can be produced for a lot less.

[Duke W.]

Re: Russo and Steele Auction

How so? A '63 250 HP already has a "correct block" if you restamp it; 461 heads are common, and FI systemsfilters/radiator supports are always for sale. You don't have to change the fuel pipe and can probably get away with the original axle since all '63 axles have the same configuration and code regardless of engine, and FI was available with all six ratios, but only in Positraction except 3.36 with the base three speed of 3.70 with a four-speed, so maybe the axle code would have to be "fixed".

The only other things left to do are "convert" a four-speed to CR with the right numbers/tag and get a 6500 RPM tach and 80 psi oil pressure gage if it's a very late car.

If it's a 250 HP three speed 3.36 open axle all you have to do is the engine room stuff and instrument cluster because that was the base drivetrain with FI. Then you can claim a "rare" three speed non-Positraction 3.36 axle, which should increase the value at least ten grand! If it's a 300 HP you already have the "right" heads.

Duke

[Michael H.]

Re: Russo and Steele Auction

Priced a complete 63 FI unit with distributor lately? I don't mean one that's missing a few ingredients but one that actually has all the components to function. Now add the cost of a rebuild for the average guy. Add the $3000 FI air cleaner, $1000 for exhaust manifolds, $500 or more for a core support etc etc.

How much does it cost to build a phony L88? 3418 carburetors are, or at least should be, a dime a dozen. No radio dash is easy and the heater blocl off hardware is available. 68 aluminum heads look just like 67's on the engine so the cost shouldn't be too outrageous. The hood plenum is probably reproduced as is the road draft tube?

I suppose if the 67 was a small block when born, it would be very expensive to produce an L88 out of it but over and above a big block 390 HP, for example, I suppose the 63 and 67 makeovers would be even?

[Mark #28455]

not quite that easy.

A date code correct 3418 carb is $$$. The 1968 heads have a hole for the temp sender that's not on the 1967 heads. The 1967 road draft tube is $$$. J56 will likely run over $1000 alone. Correct F41 springs are also getting hard to find. 351 block alone will run $3000+.

It can be done but will cost some big $ for a car that will be instantly questioned as number 60 of 20 made. I bet the fake fuelie would be easier to pull off!
Mark

[Michael H.]

Re: not quite that easy.

That's probably true, especially if all genuine and correctly dated parts are used. I know they made a big pile of 3418's in spring/summer 67 but I suppose most are still living in garages. Same with the correct heads. There were a LOT of them but I suppose many were damaged in the early days and scrapped.

[Mark #28455]

then again there was that recent find

The huge stockpile of cars and parts that was sold a few weeks ago - I think there are a few new high $ cars on the way from those parts alone!
Mark

[Michael H.]

Make & Bake Paperwork

Yes, that collection of parts will likely produce a fresh new inventory of bogus FI and big block cars. "coming soon to an auction near you". Can't wait to see the L88 collection. Maybe GM meant 200, not 20, of those 67's. Typo on the GM records?

But think of all the people this provides employment for. All the way from the engine pad stampers to the guys that "make & bake" the phony paperwork. (I hear a microwave ages the paper nicely) Good for the economy.