A group of over 200 classic Fords, some courting to the Nineteen Twenties, will probably be one of many high attracts when Mecum Auctions brings its annual automotive collector sale to Dallas subsequent week.
The assortment, amassed by the late Rhett Butler over 20 years, contains what organizers describe because the Texan’s favorites — nearly two dozen 1933 and 1934 three-window Ford coupes. Mecum estimates every is value $40,000 to $80,000.
Butler, who made his fortune as a cattle rancher in Paraguay, additionally owned a 1939 Lincoln Zephyr, considered one of solely 640 convertibles made that yr, and a 1932 Ford Hi-Boy Roadster.
His assortment was saved in 5 climate-controlled buildings within the Hill Country and he constructed a observe on the encompassing property so he may drive the vehicles, moderately than take them on the highway, in accordance with an article in Mecum Magazine.
Many of the vintage Fords have been bought in Uruguay, the place Butler owned a trip property, the journal stated. He befriended an auto restorer there and collectively they’d discover and purchase previous vehicles — typically nonetheless in use within the South American nation — and restore the nice ones, utilizing unique components from the junkers.
Butler died in March 2021.
His full assortment is up on the market when Mecum runs greater than 1,500 muscle vehicles, classics and vehicles below the gavel Sept. 7-10 on the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center.
Mecum is capturing to high final yr’s file for Dallas, when greater than 1,100 autos introduced in $36.8 million in gross sales. The firm’s auctions throughout the nation in 2021 totaled $578 million in gross sales.
Cars being auctioned in Dallas embody quite a lot of trendy, low-mileage muscle vehicles, corresponding to:
— A one-owner 2006 Ford GT Heritage Edition with simply 420 miles.
— A 2006 Ford GT with a Tungsten Grey exterior and white stripes, and solely 513 miles.
— And a 2007 Ford Shelby GT-H convertible with 4,176 miles.
Other featured autos vary from a one-owner 1969 Dodge Daytona, considered one of solely 503 produced that yr, to a pair of 1969 Shelby GT500 Fastbacks with 428 Cobra Jet V-8 engines.
— Paul O’Donnell / The Dallas Morning News
Source: www.bostonherald.com”