© Hot Rod Network Staff
001-palm-springs-auto-auction-tent-corvette-stingray
For 35 years, McCormick's of Palm Springs, California, has been the Coachella Valley's nexus for collectible classic automobiles, and their brick-and-mortar dealership on North Indian Canyon Drive is a local landmark in the downtown area. Twice each year (in November and February during the desert's peak season), McCormick's holds a blockbuster car auction that brings in sellers, buyers, dealers, and the best cars in the area in addition to the normal inventory from the McCormick's dealership. This was our first time visiting the McCormick Auction, and based on what we experienced, we should've visited this classic car honey hole a long time ago. This was McCormick's 70th such auction (see results below) and was held this February 26 to 28, 2021.
© Hot Rod Network Staff Over 500 classic cars crossed the McCormick's auction block in three days. The weather this time of year in the California desert is sunny and seasonable, with comfortable late-day shadows provided by nearby Mount San Jacinto. With the exception of the Paradise Road car show, Palm Springs is not that well-known for classic cars, but it is a Mecca for 1950s and 1960s architecture, art, design, and American culture. A scant two hours' drive from Los Angeles, Palm Springs is a common destination for Hollywood's elite, but on the day we went, it had throngs of classic car enthusiasts from far-flung locales. Let's look at some of our favorite machines that met the gavel!
1970 Chevy Chevelle SS454 Convertible
© Hot Rod Network Staff This 1970 Chevelle SS454 convertible could only muster a best bid of $22K, not meeting reserve. It has what appears to be a matching-numbers LS6, but today's Chevelle fans are very informed and something about the car may have spooked potential buyers on this one. If not, this was a great catch that got away!
1970 Dodge Challenger R/T 440 Six-Pack
© Hot Rod Network Staff Mopar E-Bodies are always a fan favorite, and this 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T in Plum Crazy purple has the 440ci big-block Wedge with six-pack induction and quarter-panel billboard call-outs. It remained unsold with a top bid of $45,000. That sounds about right to us in 2021, but previous price levels on 440 Six-Pack cars have been higher in the past, possibly keeping the reserve too high.
1969 Ford Shelby Mustang 350
© Hot Rod Network Staff Also a no-sale was this 1969 Ford Shelby Mustang GT350, with a losing top bid of $86,000. By 1969, Shelby had begun to employ unique bodywork to his cars, and the nose of the 1969 Shelby GT350 is often compared to the Dodge Challenger or AMC Javelin. Just 1,085 GT350s were produced in 1969 and, in concourse condition, fetch nearly $95,000, according to Hagerty's.
1984 Ford Mustang GT350
© Hot Rod Network Staff A peculiarity of California law, cars built with 49-state emissions can't be legally sold in California, as was the case with this 1984 Mustang GT350. That is a boon to out-of-state bidders, who don't have to compete with locals. One lucky out-of-state buyer scored this mint Mustang for just $11,660 (including auction fees).
1987 Chevy Monte Carlo SS
© Hot Rod Network Staff This sharp-looking 1987 Chevy Monte Carlo SS in white got some nice attention on the auction block and went home with a new owner for $18,815 (with fees). These 1980s G-bodies are getting harder to find in perfect unmolested condition, and at this price it cost less than it did new in 1987.
1975 Oldsmobile Delta 88
© Hot Rod Network Staff When you live in paradise where every day is sunny and warm, it's inevitable that convertibles will be popular. To that end, Palm Springs is convertible central, and this perfectly preserved 1975 Oldsmobile Delta 88 ragtop-among the last classic convertibles ever made by GM-found a new home at $15,635.
1966 Pontiac GTO Convertible
© Hot Rod Network Staff By comparison, this 1966 Pontiac GTO convertible was built nine years earlier during the muscle car revolution. It too found a new owner, but for the lofty price of $42,135. When we talk about where to find value in the classic car segment, as we've seen, it's going to be in the newer cars built during the 1970s and 1980s.
1973 Chevy Laguna Wagon
© Hot Rod Network Staff Those who like the 1972 to 1977 Colonnade-style Chevelle will appreciate this rare one-year-only 1973 wagon version of the Chevelle muscle car. Yes, Chevy really did make the Chevelle in wagon form, and this unit was so fresh, it looked like it had just been built. This 350ci small-blockequipped version went for $15,105.
1988 Lincoln Continental Mark VII
© Hot Rod Network Staff We like the Lincoln Mark VII because it's really a Fox-body Mustang V8 in luxury clothing. If you knew that ahead of time and brought $4,240, you were able to score this immaculate 1988 Lincoln Mark VII, which has the 225-hp HO small-block 302ci Windsor V-8 and AOD automatic overdrive transmission. You can't buy a junked Mustang for that price.
1963 Ford Falcon Futura
© Hot Rod Network Staff Like the Lincoln Mark VII before this, the 1963 Ford Falcon is also a Mustang in disguise (the 1964.5 Mustang was based on the Falcon chassis), and this Futura model-identified best by the sloped Futura roofline-was an older restoration that changed its color from green to white. Whatever the case, this one was in nice shape and changed hands for just $4,028.
1957 Chevy 210
© Hot Rod Network Staff This mildly modified Tri Five has a small-block Chevy and some minor updates (later model Impala SS steering wheel, custom upholstery, five-speed manual overdrive trans, Vintage Air, billet trim on the engine) and was a solid deal when the gavel came down at $31,800. We bought our '57 Chevy project car (Project X) for $750, but that was back in 1965 and prices have gone up a bit.
1966 Chevy Corvette Stingray 425-hp L72
© Hot Rod Network Staff With most of the cars in Palm Springs selling well under $20K, the occasional high-roller machine raised the auction temperature, and this rare 425-hp big-block L72 car fetched serious coin at $100,700. Incredibly, it was not the only L72-powered 396ci big-block '66 Stingray in attendance. A red one failed to meet reserve and only brough a bid of $81K.
The Rest of the Best
© Hot Rod Network Staff We've got a whole lot more cool muscle cars, classic trucks, and vintage rides from the Palm Springs McCormick's auction in the gallery. Check to see if there's something you like and see what it sold for in the chart below.
Research
Year / Make Model: High bid: Sold price:
| 1971 | CHEVROLET | C10 CUSTOM PICKUP | $36,000 | No Sale |
| 1973 | FORD | THUNDERBIRD COUPE | $10,000 | No Sale |
| 1965 | FORD | FALCON RANCHERO P/U | $16,165 |
| 2017 | DODGE | RAM 1500 RT PICKUP | $27,560 |
| 2012 | TRIUMPH | BONNEVILLE T100 | $7,420 |
| 1955 | PONTIAC | CHIEFTAIN SEDAN | $9,540 |
| 1962 | DODGE | DART SEDAN | $16,000 | No Sale |
| 1967 | FORD | MUSTANG COUPE | $12,720 |
| 1977 | CHRYSLER | NEW YORKER SEDAN | $10,865 |
| 1964 | CHEVROLET | C10 PICKUP | $37,000 | No Sale |
| 1968 | CADILLAC | CPE DEVILLE CVTBLE | $21,200 |
| 2002 | FORD | THUNDERBIRD DELUXE | $12,455 |
| 1965 | DODGE | DART GT | $15,900 |
| 1962 | CHEVROLET | CORVETTE ROADSTER | $63,070 |
| 1956 | FORD | F100 PICKUP | $24,750 | No Sale |
| 1967 | CHEVROLET | CHEVELLE CVTBLE | $35,510 |
| 1955 | FORD | TRUCK | $31,270 |
| 1966 | CHEVROLET | IMPALA CONVERTIBLE | $36,040 |
| 1960 | FORD | THUNDERBIRD | $18,285 |
| 1974 | OLDSMOBILE | TORONADO COUPE | $ 8,000 | No Sale |
| 1968 | CHEVROLET | CHEVELLE | $27,560 |
| 1966 | FORD | MUSTANG | $11,500 | No Sale |
| 2007 | JAGUAR | XK COUPE | $20,140 |
| 1966 | CHEVROLET | C10 PICKUP | $15,750 | No Sale |
| 1973 | MERCURY | XR7 CVTBLE | $16,960 |
| 2011 | CHEVROLET | CAMARO CVTBLE | $7,738 |
| 1957 | CHEVROLET | BEL AIR 210 2 DOOR | $31,800 |
| 2005 | CHEVROLET | SSR CVTBLE | $17,250 | No Sale |
| 1954 | PONTIAC | WOODY | $38,955 |
| 1984 | FORD | MUSTANG GT 350 COUPE | $11,660 |
| 1966 | FORD | MUSTANG HIGH COUNTRY CVTBLE | $29,680 |
| 1997 | FORD | MUSTANG SALEEN S281 CVTBLE | $13,780 |
| 1950 | PONTIAC | SILVER STREAK RESTOMOD | $19,080 |
| 1969 | VOLKSWAGEN | BEETLE 2 DOOR | $ 7,500 | No Sale |
| 1963 | FORD | FALCON | $4,028 |
| 1995 | CHEVROLET | CORVETTE | $ 5,000 | No Sale |
| 1965 | VOLKSWAGEN | KARMANN GHIA | $15,370 |
| 1963 | FORD | GALAXIE CVTBLE | $24,910 |
| 1978 | JEEP | CJ5 UT | $14,045 |
| 2009 | PONTIAC | G6 GT H/T CVTBLE | $9,010 |
| 2002 | PLYMOUTH | PROWLER CVTBLE | $28,090 |
| 1947 | MERCURY | 2 DOOR SEDAN | $39,000 | No Sale |
| 2012 | FORD | MUSTANG | $ 9,000 | No Sale |
| 1969 | CHEVROLET | C10 STEPSIDE PICKUP | $28,620 |
| 1970 | CHEVROLET | NOVA 2 DOOR SPORT COUPE | $40,000 | No Sale |
| 1984 | DODGE | W150 TRUCK | $16,960 |
| 1955 | CHEVROLET | 210 | $33,920 |
| 1969 | FORD | BRONCO | $74,200 |
| 1979 | MERCURY | COUGAR XR7 COUPE | $10,000 | No Sale |
| 1985 | CHEVROLET | EL CAMINO | $ 6,000 | No Sale |
| 1965 | FORD | F100 TRUCK | $20,140 |
| 1969 | FIAT | 850 SPIDER | $1,272 |
| 1969 | LINCOLN | MARK III SEDAN | $13,250 | No Sale |
| 1975 | OLDSMOBILE | DELTA 88 | $15,635 |
| 1950 | CROSLEY | STATION WAGON | $ 8,750 | No Sale |
| 1992 | CHEVROLET | CORVETTE CVTBLE | $ 6,250 | No Sale |
| 1926 | FORD | MODEL T 2 DOOR SEDAN | $15,635 |
| 1967 | PONTIAC | FIREBIRD CVTBLE | $ 6,040 |
| 1973 | CHEVROLET | LAGUNA WAGON | $15,105 |
| 1960 | FORD | THUNDERBIRD 2 DOOR HARDTOP | $15,105 |
| 1966 | PONTIAC | GTO CVTBLE | $42,135 |
| 1969 | FORD | MUSTANG CVTBLE | $18,020 |
| 2001 | CADILLAC | ELDORADO ETC 2 DOOR | $2,756 |
| 1988 | LINCOLN | MARK VII COUPE | $4,240 |
| 1969 | VOLKSWAGEN | DUNE BUGGY CUSTOM | $8,215 |
| 1975 | CHEVROLET | CAMARO 2 DOOR COUPE | 9,805 |
| 1972 | FORD | F100 PICKUP | $12,455 |
| 2002 | FORD | THUNDERBIRD ROADSTER | $13,250 |
| 1940 | PACKARD | 120 CVTBLE | $96,460 |
| 1934 | FORD | CABRIOLET | $34,000 | No Sale |
| 1973 | CHEVROLET | K10 PICKUP 4X4 | $26,500 |
| 1946 | FORD | CUSTOM COUPE | $18,000 | No Sale |
| 1949 | CHEVROLET | SUBURBAN | $21,465 |
| 1965 | AMPHICAR | 770 CVTBLE | $66,000 | No Sale |
| 1979 | LINCOLN | MK V | $21,200 |
| 1978 | CHRYSLER | NEW YORKER | $9,010 |
| 1987 | CHEVROLET | EL CAMINO | $14,522 |
| 2007 | FORD | MUSTANG | $29,150 |
| 1968 | PONTIAC | GTO | $29,500 | No Sale |
| 1950 | CHEVROLET | 3100 SHORT BED PICKUP | $34,450 |
| 1992 | CHEVROLET | NASCAR LUMINA | $28,090 |
| 1928 | FORD | MODEL A PICKUP | $20,000 | No Sale |
| 1964 | FORD | E100 ECONOLINE PICKUP | $9,540 |
| 1967 | FORD | MUSTANG TRIBUTE CVTBLE | $37,100 |
| 1957 | CHEVROLET | 210 BEL AIR 2 DOOR | $55,000 | No Sale |
| 1965 | SHELBY | COBRA ROADSTER | $135,150 |
| 1930 | CHEVROLET | SEDAN DELIVERY | $21,200 |
| 1966 | CHEVROLET | CORVETTE STINGRAY | $77,500 | No Sale |
| 1966 | FORD | MUSTANG COUPE | $33,125 |
| 1966 | FORD | MUSTANG COUPE | $37,100 |
| 1969 | FORD | MUSTANG FASTBACK | $38,000 | No Sale |
| 1939 | FORD | DELUXE CVTBLE | $64,660 |
| 1970 | FORD | MUSTANG MACH 1 | $42,000 | No Sale |
| 1966 | CHEVROLET | CORVETTE 427 COUPE | $100,700 |
| 1970 | DODGE | CHALLENGER R/T 440 | $45,000 | No Sale |
| 1966 | FORD | FAIRLANE | $20,000 | No Sale |
| 1970 | FORD | MUSTANG MACH 1 FASTBACK | $40,280 |
| 1956 | PONTIAC | STAR CHIEF RESTOMOD | $42,930 |
| 1966 | FORD | MUSTANG CVTBLE | $38,500 | No Sale |
| 1964 | BUICK | RIVIERA 2 DOOR CUSTOM | $ 9,500 | No Sale |
| 1960 | CHEVROLET | CORVAIR CUSTOM | $10,500 | No Sale |
| 1959 | PONTIAC | CATALINA | $28,000 | No Sale |
| 1962 | PLYMOUTH | FURY CVTBLE | $24,645 |
| 1970 | PONTIAC | FIREBIRD ESPRIT COUPE | $26,765 |
| 1966 | FORD | MUSTANG GT COUPE | $33,920 |
| 1973 | CHEVROLET | CAMARO LT COUPE | $27,030 |
| 1955 | CHRYSLER | C300 CVTBLE | $35,000 | No Sale |
| 1981 | CHEVROLET | CORVETTE T-TOP | $17,000 | No Sale |
| 2015 | FORD | MUSTANG GT 350 2 DOOR COUPE | $58,000 | No Sale |
| 1969 | CHEVROLET | CAMARO CVTBLE | $54,325 |
| 1957 | FORD | THUNDERBIRD | $22,790 |
| 1981 | CHEVROLET | K5 BLAZER 4X4 SUV | $27,030 |
| 1950 | OLDSMOBILE | COUPE | $20,935 |
| 1989 | CHEVROLET | C/K 1500 PICKUP | $13,515 |
| 1995 | CHEVROLET | SILVERADO 1500 PICKUP | $12,720 |
| 1963 | MERCURY | S-22 COMET HARDTOP | $26,765 |
| 1931 | FORD | MODEL A DELUXE ROADSTER | $24,380 |
| 1950 | WILLYS | CJ3A W/ 1953 CJ3B BODY | $15,370 |
| 2004 | FORD | THUNDERBIRD PACIFIC COAST ROADSTER | $19,875 |
| 1969 | SHELBY | MUSTANG GT 350 | $86,000 | No Sale |
| 2002 | FORD | THUNDERBIRD | $9,858 |
| 1976 | CHEVROLET | CORVETTE STINGRAY | $ 7,500 | No Sale |
| 1970 | FORD | MUSTANG | $14,310 |
| 1933 | PLYMOUTH | RATROD 4 DOOR | $13,500 | No Sale |
| 1963 | CHEVROLET | CORVAIR CVTBLE | $14,000 | No Sale |
| 1973 | CHEVROLET | CORVETTE CVTBLE | $22,260 |
| 1969 | PONTIAC | BONNEVILLE CVTBLE | $13,780 |
| 1965 | FORD | MUSTANG CVTBLE | $29,680 |
| 1970 | CHEVROLET | CHEVELLE SS LS6 | $22,000 | No Sale |
| 1953 | PLYMOUTH | CRANBROOK SEDAN | $ 1,700 | No Sale |
| 1965 | CHEVROLET | CORVAIR | $12,455 |
| 1960 | CHEVROLET | C-10 APACHE SHORT BED | $ 4,800 | No Sale |
| 1973 | VOLVO | 1800 ES 2 DOOR | $22,500 | No Sale |
| 1972 | BUICK | SKYLARK GS-X TRIBUTE COUPE | $29,000 | No Sale |
| 1967 | CADILLAC | FLEETWOOD BROUGHAM SEDAN | $15,900 |
| 1968 | CHEVROLET | CAMARO COUPE | $28,000 | No Sale |
| 1961 | DODGE | DART PHOENIX 2 DOOR SEDAN | $42,930 |
| 1962 | FORD | THUNDERBIRD | $14,310 |
| 1957 | WILLYS | JEEP | $7,632 |
| 1987 | CHEVROLET | MONTE CARLO SS | $18,815 |
| 1970 | FORD | F100 PICKUP | $25,970 |
| 1979 | PONTIAC | TRANS AM COUPE | $19,610 |
| 1966 | FORD | CUSTOM PICKUP | $18,550 |
| 1972 | FORD | F250 PICKUP | $15,370 |
| 2006 | BENTLEY | CONTINENTAL FLYING SPUR | $26,765 |
| 1996 | FORD | MUSTANG SVT COBRA CVTBLE | $24,380 |
| 1968 | CADILLAC | COUPE DEVILLE | $21,200 |
| 1971 | PLYMOUTH | CUDA COUPE | $47,000 | No Sale |
| 1972 | CHEVROLET | CORVETTE T TOP COUPE | $32,330 |
| 1940 | FORD | 2 DOOR COUPE | $46,000 | No Sale |
| 1941 | PACKARD | 110 BUSINESS COUPE | $17,000 | No Sale |
| 1966 | CHEVROLET | CORVETTE COUPE | $81,000 | No Sale |
| 1999 | SHELBY | SERIES 1 CVTBLE | $107,060 |
| 1940 | FORD | DELUXE COUPE | $42,400 |
| 1972 | DATSUN | 240 Z COUPE | $31,800 |
| 1952 | FORD | F100 PICKUP | $25,000 | No Sale |
| 2004 | CHEVROLET | CORVETTE COUPE | $11,660 |
| 1973 | CHEVROLET | CAMARO COUPE | $19,610 |
| 1948 | LINCOLN | CONTINENTAL CVTBLE | $41,340 |