Auction Hunters: Need for Speed

AllenHaff-TonJones-Chevelle-AH-3-3Auction Hunters: Season 3, Episode 3: “Hidden Hot Wheels.”

Haff-Ton drove to Covina, California. Home to one of the biggest auction whales in SoCal; El Diablo.

El Diablo paid high price to win all of the storage units. Six units up for auction. Haff-Ton team had to step up their game to beat this champion.

tools-unit-AH-3-3Tools Unit

Air compressor, washer, TV, 50’s lunchboxes, table saw, tools, and plastic containers. Duo won the locker for $650.

Allen found a penny. Ton found a nickel. Not quite the treasure they were after – sigh.

Ton discovered a paint sprayer. Allen unpacked a toy gun collection. Boys had a little fun. Uh, oh. Ton found a zip gun.

Fact: A “zip gun” is an improvised firearm made using salvaged or repurposed materials.

Zip gun did not have a hallmark. Ton clueless to this type of firearm.

Duo took the mystery pistol to weapons expert, Blaze. He stated it was a Liberator pistol made during WWII.

Fact: Liberator pistols were packaged with a comic strip that showed how to operate the weapon.

The US government sent Liberator pistols to France. Resistance fighters would sneak Liberator-pistol-AH-3-3up on patrols, fire the weapon, then steal the guard’s gun. Zip gun had a range of up to 20 feet.

Fact: The more accurate “rifled” barrel was invented in 15th century Germany.

Zip guns rare as most of were scrapped after the war.

Blaze would buy it for $3,750, but only if it fired.

Ton set up a watermelon (favorite target choice). Drew a face on the fruit. Shot the watermelon at point blank range. Instant fruit salad.

Sold!

blue-tarp-unit-AH-3-3Blue Tarp Unit

Furniture, floor jack, fan parts, gas can, boxes, and mystery item under a big blue tarp. Haff-Ton team time to gamble. Duo won the locker for $700.

The moment of truth. Haff-Ton team lifted the tarp. It was a car!

A 1969 Chevelle Malibu.

Fact: Chevy’s “Malibu” line first began as a subseries of the Chevelle in 1964.

Dream or a nightmare. Depended on the engine. Moment of truth, again. 1969-Chevelle-Malibu-AH-3-3 Allen and Ton opened the hood.

SCORE!

Chevelle had a brand new crate engine.

Fact: “Crate engines” are pre-assembled motors that are ready to install.

Owner however, had cut corners. Gatorade bottle used for the overflow. Time for a tune-up.

Haff-Ton found a few more antique car parts; a vintage smogger and 1940’s hubcaps.

Chevelle underwent a slight overhaul. Duo took car to Tom, a used car salesman. He fell in love with the car. A 1969 Chevelle was the first year the limit was lifted on engine size.

In mint condition, the car valued between $16,000-$18,000.

Tom examined the car inch-by-inch for flaws. Did not have a matching number car.

Fact: “Matching numbers” cars are more valuable because they have all original factory parts.

Rust under the hood. Rocker panel chrome gone.

Fact: Chrome rocker panel molding is a feature unique to the Chevelle Malibu series.

Tail light cracked. Paint faded. Price negotiated at $9,000.

Time for a test drive. Moment of truth, again… again.

Fact: The 1949 “Oldsmobile Rocket 88” is considered the first American “muscle car”.

Muscle car still had muscle.

Sold! Haff-Ton team back on track.

Auction Total:

Paid $1,350
Sold: $14,182
Profit: $12,832

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Naomi Luc

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