Hemmings.com Sales Success: Apache, Scrambler, El Camino

Highlighted Auction and Make Offer Sales from December 1 through December 7, 2024

America’s love affair with trucks seems to date back to the dawn of the automobile age itself. Today, of course, vintage and classic trucks seem to do a lot more cruising than working. They also come in many different forms. Among the six vehicles detailed this week are three trucks, each of a different sort. A 1959 Chevrolet Apache 3100, with new running gear and a very nice coat of bronze paint, reminds us of the incredibly good looks trucks from the Fifties had. A 1983 Jeep Scrambler might be noted for its off-road than working chops, but that bed behind the seats sure says “truck.” While the Aussies have made a seemingly national tradition of the “ute,” we still have the likes of this nicely restored 1970 Chevrolet El Camino SS to thank for our own interpretation of the car-based truck.

Other vehicles profiled include an ultra-quick 2002 Porsche 911 Turbo, from the first generation of Porsche’s powerfully boosted six-cylinder cars to feature a water-cooled engine and an automatic transmission option. Like the El Camino, the 1970 Buick Gran Sport detailed here was built on GM’s A-body platform. Finally, a 1957 Dodge Custom Royal D500 demonstrates a peak period of Mopar styling along with the final version of the company’s first-generation Hemi V8 engine.

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* Indicates a vehicle sold as a Make Offer listing.

1959 Chevrolet 3100 Apache

Reserve: $45,000

Selling Price: $43,050*

Recent Market Range: $38,000-$55,000

Chevy’s 1955-’59 Task Force pickups remain among the most-loved trucks in the car collecting world. This 1959 Chevrolet Apache 3100 had the added benefit of a number of upgrades. In place of the original engine was a Goodwrench 350-cu.in. crate V8, which was fitted with a Holley four-barrel carburetor, headers and dual exhaust. That mill was backed by a Muncie four-speed transmission with an ultra-low “granny” gear and a four-wheel-drive setup, presumably from a later GM truck. Custom bronze paint (which extended into the cab), bucket seats, iEquus auxiliary gauges, a tilt steering column, carpeting and a modern audio system were all part of the build. This modified Apache sold at an expected price as a post-auction Make Offer listing one day after bidding ended.

1983 Jeep CJ8 Scrambler

Reserve: $29,200

Selling Price: $27,825*

Recent Market Range: $20,000-$31,000

This 1983 Jeep CJ8 Scrambler appeared to have been restored to an exceptionally high standard. The seller noted a “body-off” restoration “about 5,000 miles” before the Jeep was listed. Those 5,000 miles must have been on dry pavement, because this Scrambler looked especially clean underneath. With the frame and floors finished in some sort of protective coating and many of the fasteners plated, there was only the mildest of surface corrosion appearing on a couple of exhaust hangers and between some of the leaf springs. The entire body, including under the hood and in the engine bay, appeared to have excellent paint. Upgrades included Bestop TrailMax II seats, a GPS speedometer, and a 2-inch lift. Very well presented, it sold toward the higher end of the going market rate as a post-auction Make Offer listing.

1970 Buick Gran Sport

Reserve: $33,000

Selling Price: $36,435*          

Recent Market Range:  $29,000-$40,000

This 1970 Buick Gran Sport looked to be in very good condition, but perhaps not quite concours ready. A legit GS 455, it featured a non-original Buick 455-cu.in. V8 engine that was matched with a Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 three-speed automatic and a 12-bolt limited-slip rear end. While not perfect, the car did present well, finished in Bamboo Cream over a Burnished Saddle vinyl interior. The underside appeared to be clean and recently detailed, the A/C system converted to R134a in September, and the restoration itself completed four years before the car was listed. This GS 455 looked absolutely ready to be driven and enjoyed. Bidders must have known what they were looking at, because its net sale price, as a post-auction Make Offer listing, fell right into the expected market range.

2002 Porsche 911 Turbo Coupe

Reserve: $52,000

Selling Price: $47,250*

Recent Market Range: $45,000-$65,000

Porsche’s 911 Turbo has been a fast car since the first one was introduced in 1975. With each generation, it has not only gotten faster, but more luxurious. When the first water-cooled 911 Turbo was introduced for the 2000 model year, it became the first offered with an automatic transmission option. It was still seriously fast. This 2002 Porsche 911 Turbo Coupe was fitted from the factory with that ZF five-speed Tiptronic automatic, which also allowed for manual shifting via the lever or by buttons on the steering wheel. This car had a replacement for its 415-horsepower, turbocharged 3.6-liter flax-six engine. Believed to be in its original Polar Silver Metallic finish, it sold at the lower end of the recent market range as a post-auction Make Offer listing.

1957 Dodge Custom Royal D500

Reserve: $25,000

Selling Price: $28,350

Recent Market Range: $22,000-$33,000

Chrysler Corporation was on a bit of a roll in the 1950s, with its groundbreaking Virgil Exner designs and powerful Hemi V8s available in all of its car lines. This 1957 Dodge Custom Royal D500 two-door hardtop coupe featured the “Super Red Ram” 325-cu.in. Hemi V8 that was rated at 285 horsepower and 345 lb-ft of torque along with a TorqueFlite three-speed automatic with pushbutton controls. Though not specifically listed as restored, the car clearly had some work done, including a respray of its copper and black exterior. The black fabric and silver vinyl seating surfaces also looked to be in excellent condition. With an impressive 26,000-plus views, this Hemi-powered Dodge sold in the middle of the recent market range.

1970 Chevrolet El Camino SS

Asking Price: $56,000

Selling Price: $47,250*

Recent Market Range: $39,000-$56,000

This 1970 Chevrolet El Camino SS was treated to a rotisserie restoration, according to the seller. In the included photos, it appeared to have been thoroughly redone. We like to see photos of the undercarriage of cars to get an idea of exactly how complete a restoration was done. With its new gas tank, corrosion-free exhaust components and nearly complete lack of surface rust on the underside images, this El Camino appeared to have been done right. Listed as a “true L34 SS 396” car, it did have a replacement 396 engine that the seller indicated was installed as a warranty replacement in 1970. The car presented very well, right down to the cowl induction hood and factory A/C compressor. It sold in the market range as a direct Make Offer listing.

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