Estate auctions are a wonderful thing for a car collector, as you not only get the chance to potentially sniff out a deal that only the locals know about, but if the collection is big enough, you get multiple shots at bringing home a new project. The Bill O’Meara collection doesn’t appear to have many projects, however, as most of these cars seem like very nice drivers across the board. The collection is heavily tilted towards Corvette fans as models like this desirable split-window 1963 Corvette Stingray coupe here on HiBid.com are drawing lots of bids at the moment. It’s currently bid to $84,500 CAD but there are plenty of more affordable finds to scope out.
For instance, there’s this very pretty 1966 Chevrolet Monza Sport Coupe that is equipped with aftermarket wheels but is otherwise described as being a largely stock example. This Corvair has an automatic transmission which isn’t the preferred driveline to have in a lower-powered model, but it may also be a good reason why it has remained in survivor-grade condition. The chrome all looks quite nice and the white paintwork shows little in the way of flaws, at least in the photos. The listing notes the 110 b.h.p. engine is believed to be original to the car, but it doesn’t sound like this has been 100 percent confirmed. It’s currently bid to $3,600 CAD.
This is my favorite vehicle in the auction, as this 1967 Chevrolet pickup has an awesome presence owing to its short box bed and deep-dish rally wheels. The stance is spot-on and the green paint is a sharp look as well, and a nice change of pace from the usual reds, whites, and blacks we see on this era of pickup trucks. The listing notes the paint and interior are both in very nice condition and that the truck is equipped with a non-matching small-block mill under the hood. It goes so far as to proclaim this to be a restored truck that is ready to show, which helps explain why bidding has already reached $20,250 CAD.
And if you’re looking for a newer classic to play with, this 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Classic looks like an excellent choice for a starter classic. So many of these have been lost to general neglect and abuse, not to mention the “donk” craze that seems to absolutely love this generation of GM products. What’s interesting about this example is it’s said to be very low mileage but that odometer reading is unconfirmed; however, based on the condition we see here, it absolutely looks like a time-warp specimen. The 307 engine is said to be numbers-matching and the interior is in incredible condition. Check out the full collection and let us know which classic ride you’d bring home.
Canadian dollars 💸 already looking at 25% off ?
I thought Corvair used 4 stud wheels? Aftermarket conversion?
5 Lugs on Corvair
60-64 I believe were 4 lug, while 65-69 are 5 lug.
While there are some nice cars there, and the current bids are clearly tempting, with a month to go I suspect the prices will go higher.
As someone who deals in Corvette parts, there are a number of desirable parts there. Unfortunately, the logistics of buying them and getting them back across the border, could be daunting, even without the restrictions still in place on crossing the border.
I live a few minutes away from the late Bill O’Meara’s home. He was a genuine car-guy for most of his 80 years. He was legendary for his knowledge, especially Corvettes. Bill owned a local used car dealership ,Wright Motors, in Perth , Ontario where he had an excellent reputation for fair deals. He had been trading and (and parts)collecting Corvettes long before they became
truly collectable. The cars in his collection were mainly decent, original, and most would take little to qualify for NCRS judging. The auction closes in early May, and I suspect nothing will go cheap, as more people hear about it.
Bill will be missed as a true gentleman.
“Estate auctions are a wonderful thing for a car collector”
Suddenly, I feel like a vulture.