Lot# 1304. S/N N/A. Blue metallic/tan leather. 327-ci 360-hp fuel-injected V8, 4-sp. The 1963 Paris show car, and the only steel Corvette. A one-off concept that's been in the Pininfarina museum since new. Nice patina with some cracking in paint and blush that indicates enthusiastic buffing. Excellent Corvette interior, irreplaceable one-off hubcaps, original headlights. Cond: 1-.

A generic PF form that could equally be a Buick or a Lancia. A pure museum piece (try finding a taillight) which bridges ’50s and ’60s Italian thinking, with a tail that heralds the Fiat 124 Spider. An art car that is more art than car and will always have to be explained. Expensive, but it's the only one.

Lot# 1267. S/N 194677S121065. Red & black/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 67,294 miles. 427-ci 435-hp V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. Fresh restoration of documented 435-hp convertible. Sidepipes, headrests, reproduction mag wheels, Redline tires, new wiring harness. Correct transistor ignition, excellent clearcoat paint and bodywork, teak wheel. Radiator and stripes not typical, power brake cylinder cap looks to be ’68 or later. Air cleaner wing nut not typical, missing French locks on exhaust manifold bolts. Cond: 2.

Magic mid-year combination of colors and options pulls 30% over top book. Well sold.

Lot# 1327. S/N 194377S119682. Black & red/black vinyl. Odo: 17,396 miles. 427-ci 435-hp V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. Presented as the only black L89 of the 16 built in ’67. Aluminum heads, side pipes, M21 4-speed transmission, Positraction. Excellent paint, very nice door fit, correct striping, AM/FM radio, original dealer MSO. Two-time NCRS Top Flight certified. Protect-O-Plate missing. Cond: 1.

The old hands were all over this. Everyone agreed it was beautiful, and if it was all correct it was going to be very expensive. Either somebody got a screaming deal or there's more to the story.

Lot# S135. S/N 194677S116355. Silver Pearl & black/white vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 48,615 miles. 427-ci 435-hp V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. Two NCRS Top Flight awards, Bloomington Gold recipient. Incredibly high-quality body and paint, windshield rubber siliconed too much with excess not trimmed. Rechromed original bumpers slightly wavier than new. Brightwork around windshield lightly dinged and shows minor installation damage. Hole in fender from antenna mount. Interior well-restored, white top appears older. Engine bay very correctly done without being overdone, transistorized ignition present. Cond: 2+.

First seen at Mecum's St. Charles sale in June ’07, where it didn't sell at $180,000 (CM# 45595). Seen again at Mecum St. Charles in October ’07, where it didn't sell at $170,000 (CM# 47057). While it appeared to have been done well at one time, the price this car commanded was for a fresh restoration—something this car was absolutely not. Well sold.

Lot# SP91. S/N 194677S120943. Tuxedo Black & red/black vinyl/red vinyl. Odo: 13 miles. 427-ci 435-hp V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. Tank sticker documents options, which include side pipes, alloy wheels, and AM radio. Bloomington Gold certified in 2007. Crack in lower body on passenger side, poor top fit, noticeable swirls in paint. New interior properly installed. A striking car from a distance. Cond: 2+.

Last seen at Mecum's St. Charles sale in June ’07, where it failed to sell at $190,000 (CM #45427)—an over-the-top number for a Corvette in this condition. This was a better price, but this can still be considered better sold than bought.

Lot# F503. S/N 194676S106515. Laguna Blue/white vinyl/blue vinyl. Odo: 29,915 miles. 427-ci 425-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Restored in 1990 shortly after it joined the Otis Chandler collection. Several major national NCRS awards include three Top Flights from 2002 to 2003, a Performance Verification Award, and the Duntov Mark of Excellence in 2002. Shows only light signs of wear and aging on undercarriage and interior. Body fit and finish better than new, recently detailed engine bay. A turnkey oconcours C2 convertible. Cond: 1.

Very strong money for a ’66 big block convertible, but Otis couldn’t have had a bad car if he tried, and the stack of NCRS accolades was proof of that in this case. Pretty much an instant trophy magnet.

Lot# 1263.1. S/N 194677S111859. White & blue/white vinyl/blue vinyl. Odo: 17,500 miles. 427-ci 435-hp V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. Body-off restoration of claimed matching numbers 435-hp car with ps, pb, and side exhaust. Warranty book, Protect-O-Plate. Air cleaner and hood stickers not typical, radiator and cap look newer. Excellent chrome and interior, correct hood stripe. Cond: 2.

Last seen here in ’02, where it sold at $151,200 (SCM# 26938). A very attractive and uncommon color combination made the difference here. All the money last time, near top dollar this time, but both the buyer and seller still did well.

Lot# SP48. S/N 194677S107383. Sunfire Yellow & black/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 2,501 miles. 427-ci 400-hp V8, 3x2-bbl, auto. Documented with build sheet. Several NCRS awards, much nicer than factory in most places. Respray to high standard, black stinger not typical to factory production. Excellent interior. Equipped with a/c and power windows. Cond: 2.

These continue to march up the chart, and yesterday's silly money is today's market-correct level. A strong price for an equally strong car.

Lot# 1339. S/N 194677S113670. Red & white/red leather. Odo: 491 miles. 427-ci 435-hp V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. Claimed to be numbers matching with frame-off restoration. Equipped with sidepipes, telescopic column, wood wheel, ps, and M21 4-speed. Frame and undercarriage powder and ceramic coated. Clearcoat over stripes, radiator core, tank, and cap not typical. Overspray visible on hood latches and exhaust manifolds. Cond: 2-.

An attractive combination rebuilt with obvious enthusiasm to suit the past owner's taste, but it'll be a long, hot afternoon under the microscope of certain judges. Very well sold.

Lot# SP74. S/N 194676S119112. Marina Blue/black vinyl. Odo: 25,931 miles. 427-ci 425-hp V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. Very original car with NCRS blue ribbons, Bloomington Gold and Survivor certification, and original Protect-O-Plate. Original paint shows all kinds of blemishes, good interior with expected patina. Bloomington Survivor means car is over 50% original, Gold is 95% "factory typical." Cond: 3.

What price originality? The market has been viewing original cars with increased interest, and Bloomington puts special emphasis on it in the Corvette world. I have to think this is worth about $5k or so more than what was bid here, and we'll likely get an answer when we see it again later in the year.