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THE GREAT TEXAS MOPAR® AUCTION: PART X

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By Steve “Scat Pack” Magnante 8/16/2021 7:30 PM EventsVideo10 min readAUCTIONSDODGE CLASSICS

Excitement is building … the Great Texas Mopar® Hoard Auction Event is drawing near. Mark your calendar for Wednesday and Thursday, October 13 and 14, 2021. Those are the dates when Spanky Assiter and his Freedom Car Auctions team will conduct an all-online, no-reserve auction of the late John Haynie’s massive collection of mostly Mopar cars and parts.

Remember, this is an online-only event so make sure your computer is warmed up and your internet connection is strong. The reason for the online-only nature – as opposed to an on-site auction with the usual gathered crowd of bidders – is the fact the massive estate is located outdoors, on a ranch in the remote Texas prairie, too far off the beaten path to expect most folks to even find it.

More specifically, the estate sits on several acres with a small house surrounded by a handful of metal sheds and garages. It’s like “The Little Mopar House on the Prairie”. The parts are stored indoors but most of the 250-plus vehicles are outside under the bright Texas sun. Staging an outdoor auction in Texas is asking for discomfort due to heat, sunburn, wind and possible rain. And there’s the rattlesnake factor. Our slithering, venomous friends populate the Texas prairie like fish do the sea, so special care must be taken when walking among the 250-plus vehicles.

Added together with the fact that few hotels and restaurants exist within the immediate vicinity of John Haynie’s former home and Mopar hoard, it was decided to use the internet to stage the auction. There is nothing new or experimental about internet auctions and every day all over the globe sellers and buyers successfully connect in this way.

But the absence of in-person vehicle bidder inspection requires as many pictures and videos as possible to best describe and identify each item being sold.

And so let’s continue that process here with another preview of the Great Texas Mopar Hoard Auction Event!

1964 PLYMOUTH BELVEDERE: LOT #89

Chrysler Corporation launched its new mid-size B-body platform in 1962 as the Dodge Dart 330, Dart 440 and Polara 500, as well as the Plymouth Savoy, Belvedere and Fury. With its combination of light yet rugged unibody construction, space-efficient torsion bar front suspension, novel 1/3 – 2/3 rear leaf spring axle location and wide choice of power plants, the mid-sized B-body set the stage for a successful decade of competition with similarly sized offerings from Ford and GM.

But there was a snag. The styling of the 1962s was somewhat bizarre. Deltoid and asymmetrical themes dominated and sales suffered. The situation was better in 1963 as more conservative styling was adopted, but it wasn’t until 1964 that the ship righted itself. This 1964 Plymouth Belvedere two-door sedan (Lot Number 89) is a great example of the sleeker, less exotic styling that helped Chrysler Corporation do its best work in the mid-sized field.

And while the top-tier Fury, with its neat inverted triangle B-pillars, used to be the most sought-after closed model (convertibles have always ruled the roost among collectors), recent years have marked a shift toward low-line Savoy and Belvedere sedans thanks to their popularity with builders of Max Wedge and Race HEMI® Super Stock clones. As such, this less-is-more sedan would be a prime candidate for Super Stock conversion except for the sad fact it spent some time on its side and roof at some point.

The accident damage isn’t terminal, but work will be required to smooth out the wrinkles. Originally equipped with extra cost luxuries like a poly 318, push button 727 small block automatic transmission, and Airtemp air conditioning, the rest of the package is austere, with manual drum brakes and steering – exactly what the Super Stock clone set desires most. Best of all is the boxy sedan roof. More commonly seen on the base model Savoy (where 21,326 two-door “posts” were built), the more expensive Belvedere series was more likely to feature the more graceful hardtop roof. As such, just 5,364 of these two-door sedans were built, compared to 16,334 hardtops. Don’t be dissuaded by the accident damage, this one is a solid core for a Max Wedge or race HEMI conversion.

1967 DODGE CORONET: LOT# 87

Though its “just a four-door,” this 1967 Dodge Coronet 440 (Lot Number 87) is special thanks to what’s under the hood. No, it’s not a 440 Magnum, something lots of folks assume thanks to the Coronet 440 nameplate. Rather, this one has the optional 383 big block V8. The base engine was the 225 Slant Six, with the 318 two-barrel small block offered for an extra $24. These two engines made up the majority of installations in these four-door family cars. But for those needing more passing and towing power, just $81 was all it took to enter the tire-smoking big block realm with the 383 seen in this car.

Seeking to appeal to economy-minded customers, Dodge (and Plymouth) offered the big 383 with a single two-barrel carburetor (making 270 horsepower) or for $121 with a four-barrel and dual exhaust making 325 horsepower. Interestingly, the 383 two-barrel engine shared its rather plain “V8” front fender medallion with the sleepy 318 small block. Only the four-barrel 383 got a special fender emblem reading “383 Four Barrel”. Thus, drivers of 383 two-barrel Coronets enjoyed something of a sleeper legacy. Would-be contenders didn’t know if the 318 or 383 lurked under hood until the tire smoke began – or didn’t.

This extremely solid Texas-based four-door has the expected factory Airtemp air conditioning (which includes the desirable HEMI-sized 26-inch radiator seven-blade aluminum clutch fan), power steering and three-speed windshield wipers, but is odd for its manual drum brakes, which would have added a mere $16, but for reasons unknown, were not specified.

Getting back to the confusion surrounding the Coronet 440 nameplate, it stems from the Coronet marketing hierarchy which was made up of (from bottom to top) the Coronet Deluxe, Coronet 440, Coronet 500 and Coronet R/T. Following the commonly mistaken logic that would assume every Coronet 440 packs a 440-cubic-inch Magnum, the Coronet 500 would be the ultimate muscle machine, with 500 cubic inches. But it was not so. The top muscle machine for 1967 was the strictly two-door Coronet R/T series (R/T stands for Road and Track … but you knew that) that came with base 440 Magnum or optional 426 Street HEMI engine power. This 383-powered four-door may not be a HEMI engine-powered vehicle, but its 383 surely surprised many a GM 350 owner.

1967 PLYMOUTH FURY I POLICE: LOT #86

The fender tag reads “Special Order” and this 1967 Plymouth Fury I four-door sedan (Lot Number 86) certainly is special. Beyond the austere hub caps and special 15×5.5-inch fleet rims with their riveted retention clips, the absence of flashy trim, A-pillar mounted spotlight and Commando V8 fender emblems alert the presence of a police car. Often called “muscle cars with an extra set of doors,” police cars often – but not always – contain high-performance driveline and suspension equipment.

Here, the VIN reads PK41G74235810, the “P” confirming the police model and the “G” in the fifth spot identifying the 383 big block V8. But unlike the more typical 383 four-barrel or even 440 Super Commando power expected in a police car, the G-code 383 is the more economical unit with a single exhaust tract and small two-barrel carburetor. Regardless, it’s a big jump above the possible 225 Slant Six or 318 small block V8. Yes, these low-power engines were available for inner city patrol work where high speed wasn’t required but maximum fuel economy was.

Under the skin, as a police unit, its got heavy-duty suspension with thicker torsion bars, full-size 11-inch drum brakes – the same stuff used on 426 Street HEMI engine-powered vehicles – special zinc liners between the leaves of the rear leaf spring suspension and inside, a certified 120 mph speedometer, thick molded rubber floor mat resists the stains and wear that would have plagued a family-style carpeted interior. Though the “RXX982” license plates suggest Arizona origins, there are some rusty spots on the floors and signs of delaminating plastic filler pock mark the body. Regardless, while records show that Plymouth built 29,354 Fury I four-door sedans in 1967, a small fraction of them were PK series police units. The number remaining today is surely minute.

1967 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY: LOT #85

Chrysler Corporation made automotive – and cultural – history with the introduction of the so-called “minivan” in 1983. With its economical and practical union of front-wheel drive, great fuel economy and smart utility-minded design, the traditional American station wagon was soon rendered obsolete – and an entirely new market segment was created to serve “soccer moms” across the world. This 1967 Chrysler Newport Town and Country (Lot Number 85) is a classic example of the massive station wagons the minivan helped to dethrone.

One of 14,703 Newport Town and Country wagons built, this one has the optional 440 four-barrel, a $79.40 upcharge over the base 383 two-barrel big block V8. The legendary performance of the 440 doesn’t need retelling here, but the fact it’s still under the hood speaks to this car’s incredible luck over the past 55 years, Ever since the tall deck 440 appeared in 1966, these full-size Chryslers were targeted by Slant Six and 318 small block owners looking to snatch their hearts for Dart and Duster conversions.

Typically equipped with Airtemp air conditioning ($406), power steering ($107), power brakes ($47), power windows ($106) and add-on (non-factory) electric trailer brakes, this family mover probably hauled a large camper or fishing boat trailer. In pristine condition with minimal surface rust, this surviving 440 station wagon appears to wear its factory-applied white paint. And as always, there is a distinct possibility the rear axle contains a nifty Sure Grip surprise within its beefy 8-3/4 inch carrier. We couldn’t lift the tail to find out but as a trailer towing workhorse, its original owner likely saw the value in the $50.70 outlay for Sure Grip.

Happily, today we have several aftermarket and reproduction 440-type engine blocks and crate engines to choose from. That means this nicely preserved wagon can stop shaking in fear every time a hot rodder walks near. We hope…

1966 DODGE A100 SPORTSMAN VAN: LOT #84

The Dodge A100 wasn’t the first compact van on the scene. That designation goes to Ford’s trend-setting Falcon Econoline of 1962 – or to some minds, Chevrolet’s Americanized Volkswagen Microbus, the 1961 Chevrolet Corvair 95 Corvan. Regardless, when Dodge entered the compact van market in 1964 with the A100, it was the only one with an optional V8, the all-new 273 small block, also introduced in 1964. And let’s not forget how Jay Howell and Dick Branstner’s Little Red Wagon A/FX A100 pickup (later adopted by Bill “Maverick” Golden) helped launch the 426 Race HEMI engine to race fans late in 1964. And we do mean “launch.” When Howell couldn’t keep the front tires on the strip, Golden cultivated the “Little Red” into a single-purpose wheel-standing exhibition machine.

This amazingly original 1966 Dodge A100 Sportsman passenger van (Lot Number 84) is one of the 9,536 V8 powered A100s that year. The other 35,190 (of 44,726 total built) were motivated by the trusty Slant Six. As a Sportsman people mover, this 273 V8-powered machine has eight windows for optimum visibility and comfort on long road trips. By contrast, the more utilitarian A100 vans could be had with several possible window and door configurations, including no windows at all (one of these is part of the Great Texas Mopar Hoard Auction Event and is offered as Lot Number 55). More typically, worker bee A100s had windows on only the passenger side so the delivery driver could see the curb and sidewalk for parking (and yes, one of these is also offered in the auction as Lot Number 59).

Here, a 727 TorqueFlite® automatic transmission sends power to the 3.55:1 gears within the 8-3/4 rear axle. We know it was built with the 3.55 gear ratio thanks to the metal data tag riveted atop the driver side front wheel arch – a helpful detail found on all A100s – that also spells out suspension details, the VIN and other features. Speaking of VIN tags, another A100 van in this auction (Lot Number 11) wears serial number “2000604”, which verifies it as the six hundred and fourth (604th) A100 van ever assembled! That van also happens to have the extremely rare “walk through” body – with swing out cargo doors on both sides, driver and passenger. Again, that one is Lot Number 11 and can be seen at the Steve Magnante YouTube Channel or at the Spanky’s Freedom Car Auctions website (FreedomCarAuctions.com).

But getting back to this 1966 Sportsman, though the engine cover has been disassembled for some unfinished business and the rear passenger bench seats seem to be missing, the beauty here is how original and unmolested the basic structure is. They just aren’t found like this anymore.

Well, that’s it for this week’s preview of the Great Texas Mopar Hoard Auction Event. We’ll be back next week with another “bouquet” for your enjoyment. See you then! –Steve “Scat Pack” Magnante

THE GREAT TEXAS MOPAR® AUCTION: PART IX

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The clock is ticking … the Great Texas Mopar® Hoard Auction Event is just ten weeks away. On Wednesday and Thursday, October 13th and 14th, the once-in-a-lifetime mostly Mopar vehicle and parts collection of the late John Haynie will be auctioned during an online-only sales marathon. The cars, vans and light trucks will go first, on Wednesday, October 13th, followed on Thursday, October 14th by a massive collection of engines, parts, tools, dealer sales and service items, toys, model cars and general automobilia.

The man in charge of it all is former Barrett-Jackson lead auctioneer Spanky Assiter, proprietor of Spanky’s Freedom Car Auctions of Canyon, Texas. In this week’s installment of the auction preview series, let’s examine another handful of desirable vintage Mopar vehicles.

1960 PLYMOUTH FURY: LOT #110

Though it’s been punched in the nose, this 1960 Plymouth Fury four-door sedan (Lot Number 110) is perhaps the most important car in the entire collection. This is the very car a young John Haynie – the man whose estate is being sold off in the upcoming October 13, 2021, auction – crashed in the early 1980s. This car sparked John’s interest in Mopar vehicles and was his first purchase.

After stripping away the mangled fenders, grille, bumper, hood and driver side door, the rest of the shell is very solid … including those wild, sky high rear tail fins. Born with the base 318 two-barrel and three-speed TorqueFlite® automatic transmission, it’s one of 21,292 four-door Fury sedans built in 1960. The big news for 1960 was Chrysler’s fleet-wide conversion from body-on-frame construction to semi-unitized architecture (except for the Imperial line).

1963 DODGE 440: LOT #103

If only this 1963 Dodge 440 (Lot Number 103) was a two-door. Then, the “door” would be opened for a Max Wedge clone. But as it is, this four-door – one of 44,300 440 series Dodge vehicles built in 1963) is a very solid restoration candidate. Minimal rust has afflicted its body, floors and trunk. Speaking of the trunk, it still retains the cardboard “modesty panels” installed by the factory to cover the deep voids at each end of the trunk floor where it drops to meet the lower quarter panels. As simple folded cardboard walls, these are among the first items to be lost to time.

Under the hood, we see the base poly-head 318 V8 which for 1963 was demoted to two-barrel-only anti-status. In 1962, an optional Carter AFB four-barrel carburetor boosted the poly 318’s output from 230 to 260 horsepower. Factory air conditioning added an extra $445 to the tab; interestingly, the same $445 also could have obtained the mighty 426 Ramcharger (a.k.a. Max Wedge) in any mid-size model and body style except for station wagons. Yes, a handful of four-door Max Wedge Dodge and Plymouth vehicle were built in 1962, 1963 and 1964, but this isn’t one of them.

1961 DODGE LANCER SHORTY WAGON: LOT #102

When it was launched in 1961, the compact Dodge Lancer was nearly two feet shorter and 700 pounds lighter than a standard Dodge. This 1961 Dodge Lancer station wagon (Lot Number 102) takes things a lot further. Somewhere along the line, the entire mid-section of the body was surgically removed and the two ends merged back together in clown car fashion. But the work was actually very well done. This is no clown car.

The lift-type door handles suggest the conversion was performed in the early ’70s (stock Lancer door handles are of the handle-and-thumb-button type). The engine bay is empty though it seems a Slant Six once stood ready. A dual circuit non-assist brake master cylinder conversion supports the early ’70s constriction date. Inside, the instrument panel face plate exhibits the stack of holes seen on TorqueFlite automatic-equipped Lancers and the steering column is smooth, without a manual transmission shift lever handle. But there’s also a clutch pedal. We’d guess a floor-shifted manual transmission was once in play.

1962 PLYMOUTH SAVOY: LOT #98

This 1962 Plymouth Savoy two-door sedan (Lot Number 98) is the stuff of Super Stock dreams. With its full door frames, fixed B-pillar and minimized use of chrome trim, it’s the epitome of Chrysler’s “less is more” ethos when it came to maximum performance in the pre-GTO era when muscle cars were more about the steak than the sizzle. Though the 1964 Pontiac GTO set the standard for later “image cars”, the beauty of Chrysler’s 1962-65 factory-built drag race machines was the fact you had to look close to tell them apart from lesser commuter models.

This is called the “sleeper factor” and with the optional $612 “Maximum Performance” 413 Super Stock engine, there were no external emblems, stickers or stripes on the body to set them apart from Slant Six or 318-powered models. Though only 300 Plymouths (and 210 Dodges) were built with the 413 Max Wedge in 1962, their ability to run low 13-second quarter-mile times (mid 12s with tuning) made them instant legends. Though the 413 Super Stock was available in any mid-size Plymouth (except wagons), smart buyers chose “strippers” like this Savoy sedan rather than flashier Belvedere and Fury hardtops and convertibles (yes, the Max Wedge could be had in the convertible body style).

Originally built as a Slant Six with a column-shifted three-speed manual transmission and manual drum brakes with manual steering, this no-frills base level Savoy is the perfect launch pad for a Max Wedge clone. The floors and trunk look solid and the all-important body skin is also in excellent condition. To top it all off, it was originally painted Onyx Black, a classic hue for the all-business mood of a proper Max Wedge stormer.

1959 DODGE D400 STAKE TRUCK: LOT #96

The Great Texas Mopar Hoard Auction Event isn’t just about cars, there are a number of desirable vans and trucks in the mix. The largest of the bunch is this 1959 Dodge D400 stake truck (Lot Number 96), which was a running, driving machine when parked years ago and is probably ready for more with just a little service. Powering a New Process four-speed manual transmission and 6.2:1 geared Chrysler-built axle with 11,500-pound capacity, the Plymouth-built polyspherical head 318 V8 under the hood was new for heavy truck applications for 1959, replacing the heavier Dodge-built 315-cubic-inch poly-head V8 of 1958.

With its massive 171-inch wheelbase and 6,300-pound rear springs, the flatbed stands ready for serious cargo hauling. The possibilities are limitless. We can see it stacked full of clean used sheet metal panels at the Carlisle Chrysler Nationals swap meet. Or maybe touring major Mopar shows with restored examples of a 1966 426 Street HEMI and 2021 6.4-liter Scat Pack HEMI bolted to the bed floor that can be started up for exciting comparison demonstrations of HEMI engine horsepower. The mind boggles.

Speaking of swap meets and desirable Mopar parts for sale, don’t forget that on October 14, 2021 – the day after the October 13th online auction of the 250-plus vehicles in the John Haynie collection – a second auction consisting of thousands of vintage parts, tools, new old stock items, dealer sales and training materials, toys and general automobilia will also take place. Maybe buy the truck then load it with nifty parts from the second auction and have them shipped home together.

That’s it for this week’s preview of the Great Texas Mopar Hoard Auction Event. Remember to click on each item presented here for a walk-around video or go to FreedomCarAuctions.com to see lots more.

THE GREAT TEXAS MOPAR AUCTION: PART VI

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By Steve “Scat Pack” Magnante 11 hours ago EventsVideo9 min read AUCTIONSDODGE CLASSICS

It’s July, Mopar® fanatics, and that means The great Texas Mopar Hoard Auction Event is getting closer. Mark your calendars for October 13th when over 250 vintage, classic and special interest vehicles will be auctioned off at no reserve in this online-only sales event. Then on the next day, October 14th, another online-only, no reserve auction will be held for the thousands of items of parts, tools, dealership sales materials and automobilia that once made up the estate of John Haynie, a Texas-based Mopar lover and collector who passed away, leaving all of this behind.

Though we mourn the passing of Mr. Haynie, his estate is excited to see his prized possessions get back into circulation with the collector community, and we’re sure the late John Haynie would agree. Facilitating this sale is Spanky’s Freedom Car Auctions, a unit of Assiter Auctioneers. If the name Spanky Assiter is familiar, that’s because he was the lead auctioneer for the esteemed Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction company for over a decade. In fact, you may even recall Spanky’s wife Amy shouting excitedly advancing bids between bidders and the auctioneer during hundreds of hours of live TV coverage.

Spanky, Amy and the rest of the Spanky’s Freedom Car Auctions team are preparing for a massive – perhaps record-breaking – online auction event this coming October 13thand 14th. Be there! Until then, let’s continue our preview with another five delectable vintage Chrysler products that “could be yours” if the bid is right! –Steve Magnante

1967 DODGE POLARA: LOT #146

1967 Dodge Polara

After so much attention being given to Dodge’s muscle cars, it’s easy to forget the full-size Dodge vehicles for 1967. Sold as Polaras and Monacos, they accounted for just 8.0% and 5.6% of Dodge sales volume that year. By contrast, the major sellers were the mid-size Coronet (44.9% of sales volume) and compact Dart (37.6% of sales volume). Though these big Dodge vehicles handily outsold the sporty Charger (just 3.9% of all Dodge vehicles sold in 1967 were Chargers), today it’s nearly impossible to find a surviving Polara or Monaco.

That’s what makes Lot 146 so important. A very solid California car (with its original “black plate” still present), it’s got the upscale 4-door hardtop body type without the usual fixed door pillar and full window frames found on sedans, a detail that added $110 to the Polara Sedan’s $2,918 base list price. Packing the base 383 2-barrel big block V8, extra cost options found on this example include the $183 TorqueFlite®automatic transmission, $16 power-assisted drum brakes, $311 air conditioning and factory radio. Sporting a recent re-spray in the original WWI White color, the trunk floor is as solid as the body and the grille, bumpers and tail light areas are nearly perfect. Though not a big gun muscle car, what’s to stop you from installing a Mopar Performance 472 HEMI® crate engine and surprising the Charger and Super Bee set?https://www.youtube.com/embed/q-FPu3bfyx0

1962 DART 330 POLICE: LOT #142

Now here’s something very special! Beyond the fact Lot 142 is an example of Dodge’s first mid-size B-Body – which quickly morphed to support classics like the Charger R/T and Super Bee – this 1962 Dodge Dart 330 is a cop car! As proven by the “9” in the second spot of the VIN, for 1962, Dodge offered four levels of potency; the “Highway Patrol”, “General Purpose Patrol”, “Municipal Partol” and “Public Safety”. While the “Highway Patrol” was marketed by Dodge for “jobs that call for rubber-burning acceleration, rapid interception and continuous high speed operation…where man and machine seldom get a chance to cool off,” this one is a General Purpose Patrol unit with the 318 2-barrel polyspherical V8.

Though not the sexy 318 4-barrel or top-tier 361 4-barrel big block (the 383 was on vacation until 1963), the rest of this one is pure, no-nonsense police material. From the extra-duty 3-row radiator, manual 11-inch drum brakes, manual steering, front sway bar, extra-leaf rear springs, heavy-duty 15×5.5 fleet wheels with clip-on hub caps for better retention at high speed, double-pulley fan belt, massive Leece-Neville alternator, heavy-duty push-button TorqueFlite automatic transmission, radio delete plate on the dash and – the “POLICE de resistance” – a certified 120 MPH speedometer for “court admissibility”, this is a true life police car!

Knowing that these “fleet specials” were driven hard until reaching their mandatory retirement date (typically 80,000 miles), buyers from the private sector were few and far between when they were disbursed at auction. If a taxi company didn’t snap them up for a few final years of unsavory usage before scrapping, they often sold to hot rodders who scavenged the heavy-duty parts and junked the empty shell. We dare say this might be the sleeper of the auction. Smart bidders will lurk and pounce on this incredibly rare offering!

1954 DODGE PICKUP: LOT #141

Unlike Dodge passenger cars from the same time period, which enjoyed fairly obvious year-to-year styling changes that make them easy to tell apart, Dodge trucks from the 1948-1956 era kinda look the same to the untrained eye. But we know better, right? This is Lot 141, a 1954 C-series half-ton step-side pickup. We know it’s a 1954 because it has a one-piece windshield that’s different from the two-piece 1953 windshield and the 1955 wrap-around windshield. The 1954 grille also went from a rectangular outline to a trapezoidal form.

Beyond all that, this ’54 is very significant thanks to the V8 emblem on the nose. Before 1954, Dodge’s ground-breaking Red Ram HEMI V8 – which was introduced in 1953 – was offered only in passenger cars. But then in 1954, the Dodge Truck Division was granted access to this exciting new development. But at first, the 145-horsepower 241-cube Red Ram HEMI – some fifty percent more powerful than the 100-horsepower flathead sixes offered before – was only offered in medium- and heavy-duty 1 to 5 ton trucks, buyers of ½ and ¾ ton pickups were stuck with the six.

Then, in August of 1954, the HEMI floodgates opened and the mighty Red Ram HEMI was offered in smaller half-ton step-side pickups – like this one. Before going into further detail, let’s remember that when Dodge’s all-new third-generation 5.7-liter “Hemi Magnum” V8 arrived in 2001 (for the 2002 model year), it too was initially restricted only to large and hefty Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 trucks. Buyers of more sporty Ram 1500s had to wait until the following model run to gain access to the sweet 345-horsepower 5.7 HEMI engine. So there’s a familiar ring to the initial Rad Ram HEMI story presented here!

Ok, getting back to business, as the walk-around video indicates, the cab, step-side bed and front fenders are all extremely well preserved without any perforation or structural rust. Though the original 241 Red Ram HEMI (a $120 upcharge over the base 217-cube, 100-horsepower inline six) and column-shifted three-speed manual transmission are missing, the rest of this amazing Texas time capsule is accounted for and ready for rescue. As an example of Dodge’s first-ever V8 pickup truck, there is a ton of historical value sitting on its half-ton chassis.

1960 DODGE DART PIONEER: LOT #140

The 1960 model year was important for all of Chrysler Corporation and Lot 140, a 1960 Dodge Dart Pioneer, is a perfect example of the breed. While younger folks may assume the Dart name first appeared in 1963 aboard Dodge’s replacement for the A-body 1961-62 Lancer, the name actually debuted on a mass-produced offering right here.

To cover the marketplace, the Dart was offered in three series: the Dart Seneca, Dart Pioneer and Dart Phoenix. Above them were the Matador and Polara, which shared basic items but with specific differences – but were not part of the Dart line.

The body-on-frame construction technique used in 1959 gave way to semi-unitized construction for all 1960 Dodge cars wherein the body shell from the fire wall to the back bumper was a one-piece item with the frame rails and suspension attachment points welded to the floor pan. The front suspension and sheet metal was another bolt-on unit that attached under the floor and jutted forward. This semi-unitized design differed from the fully-unitized configuration employed on the compact 1960 Valiant / 1961 Lancer (A-body) and mid-size 1962 Dart 330 (B-body) which had their front inner fenders and frame rails welded to the cowl to make a one-piece body shell from the radiator wall to the tail light panel.

Both forms of unitized construction (“semi” and “fully”) were rugged, light – and susceptible to rust after exposure to salted winter roads. By the mid-1960s most of these cars were rusted beyond salvation and with their wild, space-age styling being out of step with the pony car craze, few people cared enough to rescue them.

But now, some six decades later, they’ve become red hot among collectors, restorers and customizers. This 1960 Dart Pioneer (Lot 140) has the graceful fastback greenhouse configuration with its smart “reverse angle” B-pillar base which would reappear on the 1963 compact-size A-body Dart through 1966. We mention this styling quirk so folks who think BMW’s styling chief Wilhelm Hofmeister was the first to use the theme (on the 1962 “Neue Klasse” BMW1500’s “Hofmeister kink”) can think again.

Best of all for Lot 140 is how complete it is, including the ultra-rare unsilenced air cleaner atop its so-called Ram Fire 383 4-barrel big block V8. As the pictures show, the three-piece Ram Fire 383 air cleaner has a round base plate, open-element filter unit and very unique circular lid with a non-concentric secondary circular region stamped in place at the leading end. This is where an adhesive-backed engine call-out logo would go. Today, this unique air cleaner stands as one of the rarest Mopar single 4-barrel air cleaner designs, and it’s still present! The only thing hotter than this 383 4-barrel would have been the Ram Induction D-500 383 with its twin Carter AFB’s criss-crossing the block. At an extra $418, very few were built.

And while the exterior body panels are very solid, the floors are in need of rust repair, as are a handful of localized areas on the quarter panels and elsewhere. Other options include power drum brakes and steering. Inside, the factory AM radio, push button TorqueFlite automatic transmission, “rib raker” dash top-mounted rearview mirror and front bench seat all remain in place. Purists will want to see this rarity restored to perfection. Customizers will see beyond the showroom floor, enhancing the graceful sloping fastback roofline by chopping away an inch or two and setting it atop a custom Viper frame with massive V10 power feeding all four wheels.

But before any of this can happen, some lucky bidder has to cast the highest bid…

1963 CHRYSLER 300 SPORT: LOT #139

1963 Chrysler 300 Sport

The mighty Chrysler 300 ceased to be known as a “letter car” after 1962 when the 300 Sport series was added to capture the excitement of the full-sized 300 muscle machines without the mechanical distress of adjusting solid lifters, tuning dual carburetors and coping with a harsh ride. We love that stuff, but some folks didn’t. As proof, a mere 400 300-Js were sold versus 24,665 of the watered down 300 Sports.

This 1963 Chrysler 300 Sport (Lot 139) has the desirable 2-door hardtop body style (a less sporty 4-door was offered) but lacks the dual carburetor 413 of the 300J. But again, that’s ok and while we couldn’t get the hood to open (we never force stubborn latches or hinges on vehicles we don’t own), inside we discovered a big block rocker arm shaft with the stamped steel (non-adjustable) rocker arms and separate cast aluminum rocker arm stands used for the final time in 1963. Also discovered inside was an unsilenced single 4-barrel air cleaner lid and base indicating this one was ordered new with the optional 413 big block, a mid-point engine offering between the base 300 Sport’s 383 2-barrel and the 300-J’s ram inducted, solid lifter 413. Out back, a set of factory dual exhaust tailpipes support the 413 premise.

Inside, bucket seats and a center console add some sport to this 300 Sport while the factory push button AM radio remains in place. Speaking of buttons, to the left of the steering wheel are the exotic TorqueFlite automatic transmission’s controls set next to a 120 MPH speedometer (the 300-J speedometer read to 150 MPH). With minimal body rust, this 1963 Chrysler 300 Sport 2-door hardtop is ready for resurrection.

Ok, that’s it for this week’s preview of the Great Texas Mopar Hoard Auction Event, which will proceed on October 13th and 14th of this year. Go to Spanky’s Freedom Car Auctions and the Steve Magnante YouTube channel to learn more and see the rest of this amazing 250-plus vehicle hoard. Next week, we’ll be back with another preview that’ll include something with the rare two-door, big block taxi!

THE GREAT TEXAS MOPAR® AUCTION: PART V

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***COURTESY OF DODGEGARAGE.COM***

By Steve “Scat Pack” Magnante 7/2/2021 9:00 AM EventsVideo6 min read AUCTIONSDODGE CLASSICS

It’s official! The dates for the Great Texas Mopar® Hoard Auction Event have been set! The 250-plus project cars will all sell on October 13th and the parts, tools and automobilia will sell on October 14th. And remember, this is an online-only auction. All vehicles and parts are located in Texas and will need to be transported to their new owners’ homes after the auction. But that’s an easy matter and Spanky’s Freedom Car Auctions is all set to help arrange shipping and freight activities with major auto transport companies who are standing ready with dozens of big rigs.

Another major detail about the Great Texas Mopar Auction Event is that every single item will be sold at no reserve. If you’re new to the auction world, a “reserve” is when the seller (consignor) seeks to protect his or her items from unrealistically low bids by placing a “reserve”. This way, if a certain assumed value isn’t reached during bidding, the item is protected and doesn’t sell as it “fails to meet the reserve”.

Well, Spanky’s Freedom Car Auctions and the estate of the late John Haynie are willing to roll the dice and let the chips fall where they may by eliminating the reserve. The ultimate goal of the event is to get these fantastic vehicles back into circulation. The late John Haynie did the world a huge favor by hoarding these classics. But now that he’s moved on, they deserve to find caring homes and new lives on the open road – or car show circuit – as the case may be.

No doubt, many bidders will come away with exceptional values. That’s the nature – and thrill – of no-reserve auctions. And that’s why this event is sure to make collector car history. You can’t afford to miss it!

So until the October 13th vehicle auction (again, the massive parts, tools and automobilia collection will sell the next day, on October 14th), let’s preview more of the 250-plus vehicles that make up the Great Texas Mopar Auction Event.

1956 DODGE TEXAN: LOT #154

1956 marked the second year of Virgil Exner’s influence on body styling as lower and wider bodies replaced the boxy, upright designs of 1954 and before. This 1956 Dodge Royal Lancer wears the regional Texan trim package. Its one of just 289 Texans built to help Texas Dodge dealers stimulate showroom traffic. A beautiful restoration on a solid rust-free platform, it packs the 315-cubic-inch Red Ram polyspherical V8, with a two-barrel carburetor and dual exhaust, the two-speed Powerflite automatic transmission – with first-year push button controls and manual drum brakes with manual steering. Other goodies include optional Motor Wheel 15×5.5 chromed wire wheels and modern air conditioning added on for comfortable summer cruising. Of the 48,780 Dodge Royals built in 1956, only 289 were built with the Texan package. This beauty has been shown and comes with a sign board describing its rarity. Click on the video link for a fun walk-around.

1988 PLYMOUTH GRAN FURY OHIO STATE PATROL: LOT #153

John Haynie liked police cars. After all, most of them are basically muscle cars with a second set of doors – and a badge. This 1988 Plymouth Gran Fury is something special. While most law enforcement agencies scrub away all traces of their former identity before selling used cruisers at public auction, somehow this former Ohio State Patrol AHB (Plymouth’s code for police equipment in 1988) unit escaped into Haynie’s hands in complete condition! That means it’s still got the M.P.H. Industries K55 radar unit, Federal Signal Corporation “Interceptor” radio and siren controller, General Electric tuning equipment and Jet-Sonic roof-mounted emergency lights. Usually, police car collectors pay a fortune to reunite this type of equipment with former cruisers. Not here, it’s still present! Though 1988 police models lacked the 360s and 440s of earlier Mopar squad cars, the ELE code 318 in this one made 175 horsepower and was the hottest rear-wheel-drive offering in Plymouth’s otherwise mostly front-wheel-drive lineup of the late 1980s. It’s also got the AHB-spec certified 125-mph speedometer, full gauge package – plus a supplemental mechanical oil pressure gauge installed by the Ohio fleet garage. As a last-gasp rear-drive police model (1989 marked the final year for Gran Fury police units), it deserves a special place in someone’s collection. And yes, it comes with the magnetic “out of service” body banners you’ll need for street driving. See more by clicking the video link.

1956 DODGE ROYAL: LOT #149

Another 1956 Dodge vehicle, like the Texan (Lot Number 154), this one is a Royal, the middle trim level between the entry-level Coronet and top-tier Custom Royal. Like the Texan, this recently painted example packs the Red Ram polyspherical head V8 with a two-barrel carburetor (with either 270 or 315 cubes, exact size is unknown) backed by the two-speed Powerflite push button automatic transmission. But unlike the Texan, this one is a little less ready for the road because its rear window glass is removed and an in-process headliner installation hangs from the interior roof. We’re told the glass and trim are included. A magnet test reveals solid outer body skin and serviceable two-tone plum and black paint. This 1956 rides on Dodge’s final-edition coil spring front suspension (torsion bars replaced them in ’57) and has first-year 12-volt electricals to better run the headlamps and original equipment AM radio. It’s clean and needs only a few days’ effort to be back on the cruise circuit. Watch the walk-around video by clicking the link.

1959 DODGE CORONET: LOT #148

The 1959 Dodge vehicles wore some of Detroit’s most sinister grille styling. Sweeping “brows” over the quad headlamps gave every ’59 Dodge a sinister vibe, which some have called a “nightmare in steel”, especially when viewed in your rearview mirror as one accelerates to pass. And that’s cool … if you ask us. But while top-level power came from the new 383-cubic-inch wedge with optional Super D500 dual quad induction, this humble Coronet four-door sedan has the base 318 polyspherical head V8 with a single two-barrel. But inside, where the typical push-button pod would go to the left of the steering wheel, this one has the less-is-more column-shifted three-speed manual gearbox! That’s important because of the 151,851 Dodge passenger cars built in 1959, just six percent had manual transmissions (the other 94 percent were automatics). Sporting solid and rust-free front fenders – a rarity, especially where the headlamp “brows” tended to rust through within a few years – the rest of the body is equally sweet, though a few small patches are visible on the trunk floor. Though its been dormant for a few years and likely needs a brake and coolant system flush before use, this humble yet sinister family sedan awaits your commands. The video link has more info on this amazing survivor.

1965 PLYMOUTH FURY II TWO-DOOR SEDAN: LOT #147

1965 Plymouth Fury II Two Door Sedan

It’s often forgotten that Chrysler came close to offering the 426 Street HEMI® engine in full-size C-body Fury models in 1965 as a way to get NASCAR to accept the mighty HEMI engine for sanctioned competition. In fact, a handful of home-brewed, non-factory HEMI C-bodies campaigned in 1965. This 1965 Plymouth Fury II has the base level two-door pillar sedan body style and would make an ideal starting point for a “what-if” 1965 Street HEMI phantom build. Originally built with the 318 polyspherical head V8 and TorqueFlite® automatic with power steering and manual drum brakes and an AM radio, a later Chrysler small block with an Edelbrock four-barrel carburetor has been bolted down in its place. Still awaiting connections to the radiator, throttle linkage, exhaust and related support systems, the body is quite rust free though a few spots of bubble-through exist on the front fender and the trunk floor has been patched. See the walk-around video for more. A total of 66,757 Fury IIs were built in 1965, of them just 4,109 were two-door pillar coupes like this. Plop a 426 Street HEMI engine in it and make it one-of-none.

That’s it for this week’s preview of the Great Texas Mopar Hoard Auction Event, but we’ll be back next week with more, and more the week after that … and the week after that. Until the October 13th, 2021, date when these classic vehicles will find new homes.