What this auction what is really needed is a few bidders who will not back down. Tom Petty’s 1965 Mustang The convertible is expected to be auctioned at Bonham’s in The Quail on Friday as part of Monterey Car week.
The auction house has suggested an estimate range of $25,000-$35,000. That seemed surprisingly low to us; plenty of 1965 Mustangs sell for that amount or more. The car looks good in photos, in Rangoon Red over a white and red interior. But Petty drove it for about 20 years in the large open space surrounding his home in Malibu; there is no mention of a restoration; and the car is said to be in “excellent condition”. So it’s not… breaking down… but by saying it drives great, I may not mean the cosmetic aspect.
Doesn’t matter. Maybe it’s pristine, maybe it’s not. Tom Petty’s voice had patina, so if his car has patina, all the better.
There aren’t many more details about the Mustang, other than that it’s nicely equipped. We can see the wooden steering wheel and that it has an automatic transmission.
But this is one of those auctions where they’re clearing out a deceased celebrity’s garage and closet. In addition to the Mustang, there are over 100 items from Petty up for auction, including his:
- Yamaha Grand Piano. Estimated price $5,000 – 7,000.
- The painting Mary and Child from the 18th and 19th century Century of the Spanish Colonial School. Estimated price: $2,000 – 3,000.
- A Chinese carved wooden daybed, 20th century. Estimated value: $2,000 – 3,000.
- Writing desk, 20th century. His and his wife’s initials are engraved on it. Estimated value: $300-500.
- Recording console. Estimated price: $600 – 800.
- An oak telephone booth with automatic public telephone of the electric company. Estimated price: $500-700.
- A US Army Fatigue Style Shirt. Estimated Price: $100 – 200.
- A large collection of VIP, backstage and other lanyard passes. Estimated price: $100 – 200.
- A pair of crinkled velvet upholstered stained wooden benches. Estimated value: $1,000 – 2,000.
The car will be available for sale at The Quail this Friday, but the remaining items will be sold online from August 29 through September 10.
For a complete … overview … of what’s on offer, View Bonham’s bill of sale.
We’ll see how the Mustang turns out. The waiting is the hardest part.