Written by Nicole Ellan James
During the 2024 Palm Beach Auction, to be held April 18-20 at the South Florida Fairgrounds, a selection of four remarkable vehicles from the MS Classic Cars Collection will cross the block with No Reserve. Known for consistently delivering top-tier vehicles to Barrett-Jackson events, this longstanding consignor has curated a lineup that includes a custom 1962 Chevrolet Corvette, a custom 1951 Chevrolet 3100 pickup, a custom 1970 Chevrolet Camaro and a 1969 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Ram Air III.
Particularly notable in the offering is a custom 1962 Chevrolet Corvette convertible (Lot #712). It was built by classic Corvette specialists Loomis Automotive in Oklahoma City, who envisioned designing a C1 that would be easy on the eyes and also extremely user-friendly. Everything on this car was restored or replaced with great attention to detail. As such, the Resto-Mod C1 Corvette is powered by a new Connect & Cruise GM Performance 6.2-liter LS3 engine, generating 430 horsepower, which is paired with a GM Performance 4L65 automatic transmission, transferring power to the gray powder-coated 9-inch rear end housing with 3.70 gears. Under the body, the Art Morrison GT Sport chassis, powder-coated silver, includes power rack & pinion steering, polished suspension with coilovers and PAC Racing springs, as well as Wilwood 4-wheel disc brakes for enhanced performance. The car rolls on EVOD ACC Classic hubcap polished 18-inch wheels with spinner center caps engraved with 1962 Corvette crossed flags emblems.
The white exterior features a 1958 Corvette chrome front grille, headlight bezels and side spears. The original hardtop, painted to match, comes with a stand, and the car also includes a new black Stayfast cloth top. Inside, the Al Knoch black leather interior features custom touches like Dakota Digital VHX gauges, Antique Automotive radio with AM/FM/Bluetooth, modern seat belts, Lokar pedals, folding cup holders and Daytona carpeting.
Known as “Glossy,” the 1951 Chevrolet 3100 5-Window custom pickup (Lot #761) offered from the collection is powered by a GM LS-based LM7 5.3-liter Vortec V8 engine with enhanced performance features, including a Brian Tooley cam, Velocity brushed intake and polished intake tube. Utilizing a 4L60 automatic transmission with a Circle D torque converter, power is transferred to the 8.2-inch Eaton posi-traction rear end. To support the drivetrain, the original chassis has been reinforced and the suspension has been upgraded to a front and rear suspension system from TCI featuring power rack & pinion steering, upper and lower control arms, a 4-link setup and RideTech coilover shocks. Wilwood 4-wheel disc brakes with red calipers ensure effective stopping power, while the truck sits on Coy C5 polished forged wheels with Hankook Ventus tires.
The truck was built by Rob and Kieran Hemminger of Katy, Texas. It underwent restoration from 2017 to 2019, debuting at Houston Autorama. It retains its original sheet metal and is finished in Midnight Blue Pearl. The body is adorned with United Pacific LED headlights and taillights. Inside, this pickup features two-tone brown leather upholstery and highlights that include an Ididit polished tilt steering column, Dakota Digital VHX gauges, a Vintage Air system, Infinity Bluetooth receiver and a Lokar emergency brake handle.
Completing the Chevrolet lineup is a customized second-generation 1970 Chevrolet Camaro (Lot #770.1) built to Pro-Touring specifications, which aimed at modernizing the car while preserving its original design. Under the hood is a TSI-built LS6 5.7-liter V8 engine generating 466 horsepower at the rear tires. The engine has been equipped with upgrades like a Texas Speed Torquer 2 cam, ported 243 heads, 92mm FAST intake and Hooker Competition ceramic-coated headers. Power is channeled through a T56 6-speed manual transmission to a Denny’s 3-inch driveshaft, turning the 12-bolt Eaton posi-traction rear end with 3.73 gears. The suspension features QA1 coilover shocks, lowering springs, a Hotchkis sway bar and Wilwood 4-wheel disc brakes with red calipers. Its stance is enhanced by Billet Specialties SLC “GTO” wheels (18×9 front, 19×12 rear) wrapped in new Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 tires (255-35-18 front, 325-30-19 rear), with Detroit Speed Engineering mini-tubs accommodating the larger rear wheels and tires.
The exterior was refinished in DuPont Boyd Coddington Red with Matte Gray accents, which are further enhanced by the iconic front split chrome bumpers, dual sport mirrors and front and rear spoilers. The custom interior by Premier Upholstery features stitched leather, suede and metal accents, along with AutoMeter Ultra Lite II gauges, custom switches and a Kenwood stereo with Bluetooth. For added comfort, this Camaro has custom-made bucket seats with an extended driver’s seat track. The full-length console houses Vintage Air system controls, power ports and stainless-steel cup holders.
MS Classic Cars is also bringing a 1969 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Ram Air III (Lot #768.1) to Palm Beach. The car is one of 697 Trans Ams built for the 1969 model year, with only 43 of those featuring a black interior. This Cameo White Trans Am was optioned with the Trans Am Package, push-button AM radio, console and a 4-speed manual transmission. Other specific features include a Ram Air hood, front fender scoops, Trans Am rear spoiler, full-length stripes, sport steering wheel, 400 HO Ram Air III V8 engine, dual exhaust, Safe-T-Track rear axle with 3.55 gears, handling package and power front disc brakes. The car sits on the original JK-stamped 14×7 wheels wrapped with new Goodyear Polyglas F70-14 white-letter tires.
Inside, the Trans Am sports an authentic black Formula steering wheel, simulated wood console, Hurst shifter and rubber mats with Pontiac logo. Restoration was completed in 2020 and the matching-numbers car was evaluated and verified by Pontiac expert Jim Mattison – the owner of PHS Automotive Services in Shelby Township, Michigan – in March 2024. The vehicle comes with Pontiac Historical Services (PHS) paperwork.
These four carefully selected vehicles present a unique opportunity for a buyer to take home something truly special from the highly regarded MS Classic Cars Collection. Register to bid today and make plans to join us April 18-20 at the South Florida Fairgrounds.
These four carefully selected vehicles present a unique opportunity for a buyer to take home something truly special from the highly regarded MS Classic Cars Collection.