My First Auto Auction

[cwmcobra]

Visited the Auctions America auto auction at Auburn, Indiana yesterday.  A first for me.  I've seen a few on TV, but never attended one before.  It was an interesting experience and essentially like a big car show that was fun to view.  There were no 65 Buick Gran Sports on the block.  I did see one 69 GS 400 that was up for auction, but that's as close I it got to one of our beloved models.  But there was one Skylark there that was stunning.  Pictures attached for your viewing pleasure!

And no, I didn't buy anything.  The swap meet was very generic, so I didn't even bother to look for Buick parts.  Lots of nice cars in the Car Corral for sale, but most were overpriced.  And the only car that called to me in the auction was one that I think probably sold way above what they listed as an estimated value.  A 1974 AMC Javelin AMX.  More on that later.

Happy holiday weekend to all!

 

Chuck

[cwmcobra]

The Javelin

I was raised in an American Motors "family".  My dad drove AMC cars from just about the time my memory kicked in.  So the bias stuck with me for a long time.  My first new car was a 1972 Gremlin X and yes, I'd love to have it now.  In college I lusted after the AMX and after getting employed and starting a family, I almost bought a 1974 Javelin.  So when I saw this car on the floor in Auburn yesterday, it was Deju Vu all over again!  Looks new, right?  That's because it is.  45 miles on the odometer and part of a collection that is just being sold.  And it's green....John E., how could I resist????   

Interesting that the estimated price was $15-20K, which I thought would have been a steal.  But, since it was a No Reserve auction, it could have sold for less or more.  I'll be checking the auction results to see......

Thanks for sharing my trip down Memory Lane!

 

Chuck

[GS66]

That's a nice Javelin. Wouldn't that be a 304, 360, or 401 though? I thought 390's ended in about 1970. Probably a typo. I almost bought a 68 AMX years ago. $500, was a 290 4-speed. If it would have been a 390 I would have bought it.

[cwmcobra]

Hi Jim,

I checked Wikipedia on the Javelin and found that 1970 was the last year for the 390.  The 401 replaced it in 1971.  The 304 and 360 replaced the 290 and 343 in 1970.

So you're right, there was a typo in the windshield description of the car.  And I also discovered that 1974 was the last year of the Javelin.  So this is a really nice example!

Chuck

[vinnie]

Chuck, the red 69 GS sold for $22K. Spent Friday in downtown Auborn for the annual cruise-in. They fill the court house square and the side streets for several blocks with cars. Nice selection of Buicks in the crowd from a 48, several 68 GS's , a 70 GS stage 1, a GSX and 4 GN's. With all the cars in town I am sure I missed some.

Talking AMC, Bonnie drove a yellow Pacer X, 4 speed car for quite a years. A fun car to drive. She still wishes she had.

[35chevcoupe]

Chuck ,   
WOW , thats a nice Javelin .  Guess we have another thing in common , I also grew up driving AMC,s . Short story my dad had a body shop growing up and he did body work for a guy in Anoka Mn. that owned an AMC dealership . I still remember the first time he brought home a 69 390 4 speed AMX . I fell in love with that car . And what a tire burning machine that thing was .
I also remember one of the mechanics that worked at the dealership that had/raced a 69 Hurst scrambler . not sure but if I remember he won class champion at Mn. drag ways with that car a couple times .
Ooopppss !  this is a Buick forum isn't it.

[cwmcobra]

Great story, John.  Yes, it's a Buick Forum.  But I think we've just unofficially adopted the AMC brand!  With the history shared among you, me and Glenn I think we can make that call....if Loren objects, we'll ask for forgiveness!   

Chuck

[elagache]

Thanks Chuck for sharing! 

You have taken some beautiful photos, and lets face it, we all love classic cars.  It is just that we love mid-60s Buicks the best! 

Cheers, Edouard 

[Loren At 65GS]

No objection here.  I really appreciate all the interesting stories and it ads to knowing more about my friends.

  Thanks to everyone for keeping our community going and interesting.

  Loren

[cwmcobra]

And now the rest of the story.....the Javelin sold for $36,850.  I'm not surprised.

Chuck

[Mister T]

Interesting discussion about the Javelin/AMX. Wouldn't you know it as I was returning home from a doctor's appointment yesterday afternoon that I spotted a gorgeous true AMX 2 seater heading the opposite direction! It's one I had never seen before. Then about 2 minutes later, I spotted a 71 Mach 1! This on a weekday mid afternoon just prior to rush hour!

AMC built some really cool cars in their day.