eBay Find of the Day: 1963 LeMans Tempest sells for $226,521

AutoBlog ^ | November 10, 2008 | Chris Tutor

[Daffynition]

The eBay auction for this 1963 Pontiac LeMans Tempest started out innocently enough. Obtained after owner died. Appears to have original interior but no motor, no transmission. Body has a little rust and some dents. There's stuff in the trunk, but no key to open it. Opening bid nine days ago was a mere $500. After one week, eBay seller 123ecklin will pocket $226,521 before auction fees. What happened between Day 1 and Day 9 is an amazing story.

The car's plexiglass windows, unusual suspension setup and a dash plate bearing the name of a racetrack tipped the owner to its racing history. But what he didn't know is that the car is one of only six 1963 Pontiac LeMans Tempest Super Duty coupes ever made. Hemmings recently did a story on the rare cars in which they listed all ever built. This one looks to have been driven by Stan Antlocer and was the fastest drag car in 1963 before disappearing.

Reading through the questions on the auction gives us reason to believe the seller truly didn't know the car's provenance. In his answers, he seems both surprised by the car's potential value as well as overwhelmed by the attention. He turned down an offer of $160,000 to end the auction early because he feared getting negative eBay feedback. That decision paid off. With only seven minutes remaining, the highest offer was $95,000. When the virtual gavel fell, eBayer ccsi2000 had bought a very rare, if a little rusty, LeMans for $226,521.

[Robert A Cook PE]

Good find!

Did she mention which one was raced? 8<)

[JoeProBono]

Ebay Tips & Tricks

[Daffynition]

Cool!

[Daffynition]

HAHAHA! That’s a classic!

[JoeProBono]

[JoeProBono]

[devolve]

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Thanks potlatch

Who knows what happened to John Schultz’s AC-’Vette that Shelby copied a few years later.....

[JoeProBono]

I once flirted with Ebay

[potlatch]

Lol, Only the Shadow knows. I know nothing. Thought you would like the animated gif on the page.

[JoeProBono]

Here's the other car I wish I'd kept (I'm getting tearful)

[devolve]

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Try selling on Amazon

[HANG THE EXPENSE]

And a better place would be the stock market right?I think you just might be a little narrow minded on this one.

[YdontUleaveLibs]

Man, that should never happen to a ‘57 Chevy!

[valkyry1]

I guess if I had that kind of money for a car I would want a pristine Porsche 917 or its ancestor.

[HANG THE EXPENSE]

See there,its all about what a person finds to be valuable.One mans junk is another mans treasure.I like the Porsch but I love the drag racing heritage pontiac.Its the history.

[SunkenCiv]

[Minnehaha]

[Daffynition]

That’s the funniest image I’ve seen in ages! HAHAHA!HAHAHA!HAHAHA!

[Malsua]

The Box springs in the engine compartment is a nice touch. LOL

[Daffynition]

Hey, Wanna See A Picture Of My Pride And Joy?