Landracing Forum

Bonneville Salt Flats Discussion => Bonneville General Chat => Topic started by: handyguy on September 06, 2019, 07:32:58 PM

Title: CHALLENGER 2 AUCTION
Post by: handyguy on September 06, 2019, 07:32:58 PM
    I see that MICKEY THOMPSON'S  CHALLENGER 2 will be auctioned Jan 2020 at MECUM  AUCTIONS IN KISSIMMEE   !!!
Title: Re: CHALLENGER 2 AUCTION
Post by: trimmers on September 06, 2019, 07:37:19 PM
I'd guess it'll end up in a museum (e.g. World of Speed in Wilsonville, OR, along with Challenger I), but it's possible we could see it run again.

Jeff in Boise
Title: Re: CHALLENGER 2 AUCTION
Post by: racergeo on September 06, 2019, 10:33:03 PM
   I'm buying a lotto ticket :roll:
Title: Re: CHALLENGER 2 AUCTION
Post by: ratpatrol66 on September 07, 2019, 05:52:36 AM
So was the first Challenger sold privately? I know they were both on display at the World of Speed in Wilsonville, OR. last year. They are currently somewhere on the East Coast?
Title: Re: CHALLENGER 2 AUCTION
Post by: ratpatrol66 on September 12, 2019, 04:36:44 AM
    I see that MICKEY THOMPSON'S  CHALLENGER 2 will be auctioned Jan 2020 at MECUM  AUCTIONS IN KISSIMMEE   !!!

So where did you get this information?
Title: Re: CHALLENGER 2 AUCTION
Post by: 4-barrel Mike on September 12, 2019, 09:34:32 AM
https://www.mecum.com/lots/FL0120-397299/1968-challenger-2-streamliner/ (https://www.mecum.com/lots/FL0120-397299/1968-challenger-2-streamliner/)

Mike
Title: Re: CHALLENGER 2 AUCTION
Post by: edinlr on September 12, 2019, 11:27:21 AM
I'm checking with my wife to see if we can get a reverse mortgage to cover the purchase cost.  I'll probably need to budget a bit more for the divorce attorney.  This should be an interesting sale, will a racer, or a collector will buy it?  Wonder what it will go for, my guess is $250,000.
Title: Re: CHALLENGER 2 AUCTION
Post by: Jack Gifford on September 13, 2019, 02:09:28 AM
I would certainly guess more than a paltry $250k.
Title: Re: CHALLENGER 2 AUCTION
Post by: DRW on September 15, 2019, 12:26:05 AM
I keep sayin,I hope Someone in the know,Like a Rick Hendrick, Like the INDY Museum , Some collector that knows
Bids a Million , , Man hours alone , It has to worth closer to that or at least $750k   
Id say if it goes a Million , Maybe Danny can give a little to all the guys that worked for YEARS For Free , ,
Someone wrote im gonna get a Lotto ticket, I know if I had lotto money ,Id make sure I paid enough that the little guys get some !!   
Title: Re: CHALLENGER 2 AUCTION
Post by: Stainless1 on September 15, 2019, 10:47:09 AM
DRW, people get paid to do this?  Everyone I know pays to be part of the fun.... ya know, room or food... travel...
 :cheers:
Title: Re: CHALLENGER 2 AUCTION
Post by: Milwaukee Midget on September 15, 2019, 12:34:57 PM
It's rare that an lsr car recovers cost.

The only one I can think of is The Highlander - the former I/GT record holding Abarth - and that's because it has the added provenance of being a factory proffered '60s road racer with a European road racing history.

Title: Re: CHALLENGER 2 AUCTION
Post by: DRW on September 17, 2019, 07:40:42 PM
Funny, I want to say, But this may the most Famous of Race Cars ever offered, But im prob just biased , Cuz we know every part of this story....  I still think this would make a Better story than even Burt Monroe .
Dad builds a car, Son Takes over and So Much In Between ?
Title: Re: CHALLENGER 2 AUCTION
Post by: ratpatrol66 on September 17, 2019, 09:39:30 PM
I agree with you DRW this is a great story and would make for a great movie. It was very special that Danny's mom could be there with him on the salt. It was amazing being out at the 5 mile watching him go by!!!
Title: Re: CHALLENGER 2 AUCTION
Post by: Jack Gifford on September 18, 2019, 12:56:22 AM
... It was very special that Danny's mom could be there with him on the salt...
I heard that Judy was in the push truck for every single run that Danny made? There were some priceless photos of the two of them following successful passes. But of course I'm biased from reading in the "Challenger" book (by Griff Borgesen and Mickey) about Judy's dedication.
Title: Re: CHALLENGER 2 AUCTION
Post by: Bob Drury on September 27, 2019, 08:27:10 PM
  I would bet My Bippie that the World of Speed in Oregon has already made a big fat offer (with seemingly bottomless pockets) and that Danny would be happy to see the car there but We are talking about His retirement account here and He would be foolish to not go for the max amount possible.  The museum moves its treasures amongst other automotive museums around the U.S. whom reciprocate to "keep things fresh" for all to see.  Not a bad idea either.
  I just hope it doesn't end up in Asia or Bumf*ck, Egypt.
                                                                  "One Run" Bob, out............................................................
Title: Re: CHALLENGER 2 AUCTION
Post by: DRW on September 29, 2019, 10:22:01 PM
Wow, , I had never even thought of that,What if someone from another country took it . .
 
Title: Re: CHALLENGER 2 AUCTION
Post by: kiwi belly tank on September 30, 2019, 01:17:37 AM
If you consider how much time & money goes into building a fast liner, it's even feasible that somebody could buy it with the intention to run it!
  Sid.
Title: Re: CHALLENGER 2 AUCTION
Post by: STICK777 on September 30, 2019, 01:54:50 AM
Not really latest technology since it's basically 50 years old... but very fast nonetheless.
Title: Re: CHALLENGER 2 AUCTION
Post by: ratpatrol66 on September 30, 2019, 02:59:16 AM
DTs car and he can do with it as he wants. It would be a shame for anybody to buy it and run it. There is history and legacy but maybe he wants to let it go?
Title: Re: CHALLENGER 2 AUCTION
Post by: DallasV on September 30, 2019, 12:52:00 PM
Not really latest technology since it's basically 50 years old... but very fast nonetheless.

Beyond the Challenger name there is very little on that car that is 50 year old technology
Title: Re: CHALLENGER 2 AUCTION
Post by: STICK777 on September 30, 2019, 01:20:46 PM
Quote
Beyond the Challenger name there is very little on that car that is 50 year old technology

Well, to my knowledge the entire chassis, some bodywork and the entire driveline configuration are 'original'.
The Ford's were exchanged for the Hemis... even Danny himself said that today he would build a LSR streamliner
 different and just 'less complicated'.
Title: Re: CHALLENGER 2 AUCTION
Post by: racergeo on October 05, 2019, 09:30:31 PM
   I have a different take on the Challenger 2. In as much as Danny has a time slip that proves it was 50 years ahead of it's time, it becomes the state of the art.I can think of MANY cars that are failed attempts. Never lived up to there builders expectations. It more than lived up to it's builders expectations. Danny took several years and enough changes (32 inches longer) to make it successful. Four wheel drive and a lot of hemi power is state of the art in my opinion. I had the pleasure of speaking with Danny after his successful run and mentioned his exit speed indicating it had more in it. He thought with a few more percent, maybe a little more compression, it had a record of over 460 in it. I don't think he wants to take any chances with what amounts to his retirement money.
Title: Re: CHALLENGER 2 AUCTION
Post by: racergeo on October 05, 2019, 09:41:40 PM
   If someone wanted to take "state of the art" to the next level they would talk Herbert & Everham out of there liner and outfit it with a couple turbo LS engines complete with traction control. The one guy that can afford that would then be the 500 mph man.  :-D
Title: Re: CHALLENGER 2 AUCTION
Post by: John Burk on October 06, 2019, 12:36:05 AM
On both Danny's 2018 qualifying and record runs Challenger 2 got crossed up and had to lift . On the 450 run the data recorder showed he was off the throttle (decelerating) for 3 seconds . He felt then it would have been a 470 run .
Title: Re: CHALLENGER 2 AUCTION
Post by: racergeo on October 06, 2019, 11:21:51 AM
   Well there you have it. His foot lifting off the throttle and preventing a crash or worse yet, an aborted run :lol: the absolute state of the art.Told ya
Title: Re: CHALLENGER 2 AUCTION
Post by: desotoman on October 06, 2019, 12:53:30 PM
George,

I am guessing the reserve on the car would be around 2 million for Danny's retirement. Then you have to freshen the car up and find tires.

George, I say go for it, you only live once.

Tom G.
Title: Re: CHALLENGER 2 AUCTION
Post by: racergeo on October 06, 2019, 02:01:24 PM
   Tom,you are addressing this to GEORGE POTEET, correct???? As far as only live once, speak for your self. I was here previously as the look alike harem "satisfier" for king Solomon. He needed the rest :-P
Title: Re: CHALLENGER 2 AUCTION
Post by: desotoman on October 06, 2019, 02:36:11 PM
   Tom,you are addressing this to GEORGE POTEET, correct????

Mr. Poteet already has a streamliner. No, I am addressing this to you "Racergeo". I think you should go for it. Two Nitro burning Hemi's powering you down the Bonneville Salt Flats, what a rush, what a great sound those motors would make.

A once in a lifetime opportunity so don't miss out.

Tom G. 
Title: Re: CHALLENGER 2 AUCTION
Post by: racergeo on October 06, 2019, 04:32:26 PM
   Tom, in a strange twist of fate my winning ticket went missing. Was right after I posted a search for a "house keeper-personal assistant, between 18 & 21 from meh-e-co"   Probably the best thing as the wife thinks all that money would have changed me. You think? To what? :evil:
Title: Re: CHALLENGER 2 AUCTION
Post by: Rex Schimmer on October 07, 2019, 12:31:27 PM
Great article and pictures of Danny and his car in the latest issue of "RACER" magazine.

Rex
Title: Re: CHALLENGER 2 AUCTION
Post by: trimmers on January 11, 2020, 08:31:55 AM
Well, today's the day.  Mecum is estimating a sale price of $900,000.00 to $1,500,000.00.   I guess we'll find out!  Hopefully, we'll also find out where it['s going.

Jeff in Boise
Title: Re: CHALLENGER 2 AUCTION
Post by: trimmers on January 11, 2020, 06:09:36 PM
It sold, but didn't make the pre-sale estimate.  It went for $561,000.00.

I wonder who got it.  I'm hoping it was the "World of Speed" museum (in Wilsonville, Ory-Gunn), as it already has Challenger 1, and a few of Mickey's other cars. 

Five other cars have sold for more at this sale (so far), topped by a beat-up looking 1968 Mustang that needs paint and interior, which sold for $3,740,000.00.   But it is the original one that Steve McQueen drove in Bullitt.

Jeff in Boise

Title: Re: CHALLENGER 2 AUCTION
Post by: DRW on January 11, 2020, 11:43:38 PM
Man , It was gut wrenching to watch , Of course it should have gone for at least 1.5 Mil
But you have to think, There isnt many bidders on a 35 foot long Bonneville Streamliner.
But it sure did seem low  , , And I have to say Mecum gave him a lot of time !! 
Title: Re: CHALLENGER 2 AUCTION
Post by: aircap on January 12, 2020, 12:39:20 AM
It's my understanding the truck and the trailer went with it....
Title: Re: CHALLENGER 2 AUCTION
Post by: racefanwfo on July 19, 2020, 11:43:06 PM
was watching the mecum auction that danny thompson sold his streamliner at and was wondering if anyone heard who bought the car and what is being done with it.
Title: Re: CHALLENGER 2 AUCTION
Post by: Beef Stew on July 20, 2020, 02:36:46 AM
Man , It was gut wrenching to watch , Of course it should have gone for at least 1.5 Mil
But you have to think, There isnt many bidders on a 35 foot long Bonneville Streamliner.
But it sure did seem low  , , And I have to say Mecum gave him a lot of time !!

Ninety-nine percent  of the population has never heard of Speed Week. Except for a few of us oldtimers, no one cares about World Speed Records anymore. Like it or not, the market has spoken, LSR record holding cars have little value today.
Title: Re: CHALLENGER 2 AUCTION
Post by: SPARKY on July 21, 2020, 10:31:52 AM
IT IS A SICK ADDICTION  muutt
Title: Re: CHALLENGER 2 AUCTION
Post by: racergeo on July 21, 2020, 01:21:16 PM
   I actually believe BV racing has had a huge amount of press exposure relative to the actual number of participants involved. Considering that some events only had a couple hundred entrants (50's 60's and 70's). So few, yet Hot Rod and many others always did big articles. Wide World Of Sports, World Fastest Indian and the occasional wreck or death that the media loves to pick up on has keep this sport in the public awareness. The future doesn't hold much hope for it does it.

    As far as Danny's car value is concerned, I think it actually did well. Most race cars are actually sold for a huge loss or are relegated to the back forty. Some one paying a half a million for a car they probably can't start or drive seems big money to me.If you buy some highly visible car  forms you can actually take them to a an SCTA event and pretend your racing. Even old school dragsters have cackle fest.

   We are such a small community of racers it just amazing we get any exposure or any value is placed on what we do.  That's my take.   George
Title: Re: CHALLENGER 2 AUCTION
Post by: ronnieroadster on July 21, 2020, 03:29:08 PM
For most of the guys who actually build their own cars I doubt the  thought of any actual return on investment would matter. If one has an idea their race car is an investment they are typically the ones who are the back markers. They will never set a record and realistically have no clue about the commitment and time needed to even attempt to go for a record.  :-o  Every type of racing has shown none of the race cars during there initial era they become available ever go for anywhere near what it cost to build.  However if such a car was found say in about another half a century then its value would become far greater once its been rediscovered.  :-D So sell now at a low price or hold off for those 50 years and maybe then the big bucks will materialize.   :cheers:
Title: Re: CHALLENGER 2 AUCTION
Post by: wobblywalrus on July 27, 2020, 11:45:30 PM
That $561,000 purchase probably is a good deal for the Thompson family.  It is a very tough market to sell things in now, based on my current experience with selling my surplus parts and tools.