On Jan. 22 a 1963 Pontiac ambulance sold for $132,000 at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, Ariz. The price is notable because the gray Bonneville was expected to sell for much more than that–it was said to have carried President John F. Kennedy from Air Force One to the capitol after he was killed.
But a series of questions about the car’s authenticity meant that an estimated $1 million price tag was greatly reduced.
Ray Wert, editor-in-chief of the car blog Jalopnik, which first reported the inquiry, says that while JFK’s mysterious ambulance not a case of fraud per se, it does raise questions about due diligence in the classic car world.Â
Indeed, just like in the art world, authenticating a classic car is essential for establishing its value. The ambulance didn’t meet its pricing expectations, but many other cars last year did … Details & Pictures