Ten coolest rides from the Toronto Fall Classic Car Auction
Baby boomers are scooping up vintage cars in record numbers, but they can be costly
This completely restored 1931 Cadillac 355A coupe garnered one of the highest bids. No surprise – it’s breathtaking in deep blue with black fenders and shiny chrome accents. Cadillac’s radiator grille guard, flying lady mascot, six authentic Cadillac wire wheels, optional oversized headlights, and a rare Lo-Boy luggage trunk are stunning. Auction price: $132,000.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
One-of-a-kind custom 1941 Willys Coupe 2D is powered by a 350-horsepower, 5.7-litre LS1 Corvette engine, mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission. It has Willys headlights, interior panels moulded in fibreglass, and genuine leather in the cabin and the trunk. Getting it buff took 15 coats of the Candy Winebarry paint took 40 hours of wet sanding and polishing. Auction price: $72,050.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
This 1956 Mercury Montclair convertible – in saffron yellow and black – is loaded with options you’d never find on the original. It features a rebuilt V-8 engine, automatic transmission, power steering, a tissue dispenser, a new dual exhaust, and a black power roof with a new motor to make it easy to go topless. Auction price: $58,500.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
This custom 1933 Ford Convertible hot rod took 3,000 hours to design and build. Its 110 modifications include a 430-horsepower Corvette-adapted LS2 6.0-litre V-8 engine mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission. Features include custom wheels, leather imported from Europe, heat, air conditioning, an AM/FM radio and a GPS system. The dash is autographed by car builders Gene Winfield and George Barris. Auction price: $63,800.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
Here’s proof that chick cars existed in the 1960s. Very few of these 1967 Chrysler Imperial Convertibles came in shades of Dusty Rose like this drop-top. Even the interior shared the same colour scheme. It’s a rare beauty – one of only 577 convertibles from 1967. Auction price: $22,000.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
Built under license from Ford by Saleen and one of 100 to be produced, this 1932 Ford Deuce Roadster has never hit the road – in fact, the odometer on the dash still reads 10 miles. Powered by a 342-ci engine with 470 horsepower and 435 lb-ft. of torque, it’s one of only 10 vehicles signed by Edsel Ford II. Auction price: $83,600Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
This pre-war classic 1941 Packard 120 still dons its factory original colours: Chickory Green over Grove Green. The same colour motif continues inside this five-passenger touring sedan with two tones of cloth upholstrey contrasted by wood graining and deco plastics. It was bought brand new for $1,474.40 in Portland, Maine and remained in the original family until early 2014. The original bill of sale and warranty card came with the car. Auction price: $29,700.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
They don't make pick-ups like this 1955 Ford F100 any more. Completely restored, this half-ton vehicle with a hardwood bed has a beautiful black paint finish, front and rear chrome bumpers, twin mirrors, cloth upholstery, and BFG wide whitewall tires. Powering it is a Y-Block V-8 engine mated to a 3-speed manual transmission. Auction price: $33,000.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
Striking in design, it must have been a pain to park this 1969 Lincoln Mark III, a big, black boat. The MKIII sold in North America betwen 1969 and 1971. With $50,000 worth of restorations, there’s still no backup camera to help with the feat. But at least, there’s plenty of room for passengers and grocery bags. Plus, it’s air conditioned. Auction price: $22,550.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
One of only four known to be in existence worldwide, the Canadian-built 1951 Mercury Monarch Convertible has undergone a complete restoration and motor rebuild. Adorned with a new Haartz top, tires, windshield, power windows, seats, and top, it’s a rare gem in the automotive world. Good news – it’s still up for grabs. The high bid of $170,000 fell short of the $191,000 reserve price.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail