Auction Hunters: Season 3, Episode 3: “Hidden Hot Wheels.”
Haff-Ton drove to Covina, California. Home to one of the biggest auction whales in SoCal; El Diablo.
El Diablo paid high price to win all of the storage units. Six units up for auction. Haff-Ton team had to step up their game to beat this champion.
Tools Unit
Air compressor, washer, TV, 50’s lunchboxes, table saw, tools, and plastic containers. Duo won the locker for $650.
Allen found a penny. Ton found a nickel. Not quite the treasure they were after – sigh.
Ton discovered a paint sprayer. Allen unpacked a toy gun collection. Boys had a little fun. Uh, oh. Ton found a zip gun.
Fact: A “zip gun” is an improvised firearm made using salvaged or repurposed materials.
Zip gun did not have a hallmark. Ton clueless to this type of firearm.
Duo took the mystery pistol to weapons expert, Blaze. He stated it was a Liberator pistol made during WWII.
Fact: Liberator pistols were packaged with a comic strip that showed how to operate the weapon.
The US government sent Liberator pistols to France. Resistance fighters would sneak 
up on patrols, fire the weapon, then steal the guard’s gun. Zip gun had a range of up to 20 feet.
Fact: The more accurate “rifled” barrel was invented in 15th century Germany.
Zip guns rare as most of were scrapped after the war.
Blaze would buy it for $3,750, but only if it fired.
Ton set up a watermelon (favorite target choice). Drew a face on the fruit. Shot the watermelon at point blank range. Instant fruit salad.
Sold!
Blue Tarp Unit
Furniture, floor jack, fan parts, gas can, boxes, and mystery item under a big blue tarp. Haff-Ton team time to gamble. Duo won the locker for $700.
The moment of truth. Haff-Ton team lifted the tarp. It was a car!
A 1969 Chevelle Malibu.
Fact: Chevy’s “Malibu” line first began as a subseries of the Chevelle in 1964.
Dream or a nightmare. Depended on the engine. Moment of truth, again. 
Allen and Ton opened the hood.
SCORE!
Chevelle had a brand new crate engine.
Fact: “Crate engines” are pre-assembled motors that are ready to install.
Owner however, had cut corners. Gatorade bottle used for the overflow. Time for a tune-up.
Haff-Ton found a few more antique car parts; a vintage smogger and 1940’s hubcaps.
Chevelle underwent a slight overhaul. Duo took car to Tom, a used car salesman. He fell in love with the car. A 1969 Chevelle was the first year the limit was lifted on engine size.
In mint condition, the car valued between $16,000-$18,000.
Tom examined the car inch-by-inch for flaws. Did not have a matching number car.
Fact: “Matching numbers” cars are more valuable because they have all original factory parts.
Rust under the hood. Rocker panel chrome gone.
Fact: Chrome rocker panel molding is a feature unique to the Chevelle Malibu series.
Tail light cracked. Paint faded. Price negotiated at $9,000.
Time for a test drive. Moment of truth, again… again.
Fact: The 1949 “Oldsmobile Rocket 88” is considered the first American “muscle car”.
Muscle car still had muscle.
Sold! Haff-Ton team back on track.
Auction Total:
Paid $1,350
Sold: $14,182
Profit: $12,832
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