Classic Auto Nation

It has become one of those “you gotta see it to believe it” extravaganzas, and thanks to Barrett-Jackson’s association with Speed Channel TV, millions tune in year round to see some of the most spectacular classics ever to cross any auction block.

What sells at a Barrett-Jackson auction? Everything! The no reserve policy guarantees that each and everyone of more than 1,000 cars will go to a new owner before the week is done. New owners will spend anywhere from $40,000 for very nice vehicles, and upwards into the millions for one-of-a-kind museum pieces. The variety of cars going over the auction block is truly awsome. No two are exactly alike. They include everything from beautiful home-built street rods to concept cars, celebrity rides and everything in between. And, that includes some wierd and wild exotics.

Of late though, muscle cars have continued to take center stage and raise the bar of cars manufactured during the sixties and seventies. Assets such as matching numbers, historical claim, hi-powered Hemi engines and flawless workmanship have sent muscle car prices soaring into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

In the huge auction tent the atmosphere is electric as the voices and talents of the auctioneers manage to keep the suspense level at a an almost constant high. It’s the classic prime time thrill of victory for some and the agony of defeat for others as dream cars go to the highest bidder. The excitment becomes catching as bystanders often begin to cheer on nearby bidders. In this gamble, bidders can become huge winners and sellers often get more than they ever dreamed for their prize possessions,

The gigantic auction tent is filled with action as a new sale happens every few minutes amounting to millions and millions of dollars worth of business as the week progresses. The entire program is designed on a “bell curve” with the height of the frenzy coming later in the week and televised live.

Speaking of business, both buyers and sellers alike pay hefty buyer and seller percentages for the privilege of doing business in Scottsdale. In addition other fees are collected from sellers if they are among those who’s cars are selected. Not everyone can sell a car at the Barrett-Jackson auction. Just over one thousand entries are selected from the more than ten thousand that are received from mid-summer on. Getting one’s application in very early is key though, as this year mid-September proved to be too late.

Aside from the auction itself, a few other events are happening as well. The entire package is designed to “wow” and entertain attendees and bidders throughout the week. Inside and out, vendors display their wares. Of course there is great food, plenty of automobile related products and services, and beautiful artistic creations worthy of beautiful prices.. Automobilia is everywhere, including a portion of the auction itself, where collectors buy and sell collectible history.

Gala events dot the landscape of the entire event and they include the formal Childhelp USA fundraiser complete with fabulous food from many fine Phoenix area resturants. A fashion show is also on schedule, as is a huge cocktail party mid-week.

Fortunately, the show is open to the public. Family value day is a fantastic opportunity to enjoy a preview prior to the auction at reasonable cost. Visitors can stroll and view all the more than one thousand vehicles, check out the many vendor displays and enjoy indoor and outdoor food courts. Tickets are discounted for Seniors, Students and Military servicemen and servicewomen. Children 12 and under get in free on family day. Family Day is a great deal and plays a part in introducing young people to the world of classic vehicles that may one day become for them the passion it certainly is for adults.

For those unable to join the party in person there is Speed Channel TV, which airs more than thirty hours of live coverage and then presents it to happy viewers throughout the coming year.

For a close up view in detail about the January auction, and to view the stunning classics that have been selected for 2007, go to www.Barrett-Jackson.com

Goodguys has announced they have selected their choices in five categories for 2006. The winners were selected from finalists from various regional Goodguys events throughout the past year. These gorgeous vehicles represent the best of the best, and they represent the USA and Canada as well.

The five categories are, Truck of the Year “Early”, Truck of the Year “Late”, Custom Rod of the Year, Kustom of the Year, and Muscle Car of the Year.

All of the “Chosen 5″ will be on display at the 9th Goodguys Southwest Nationals, coming up November 17-19 at Westworld in Scottsdale, Arizona.

HERE THEY ARE….!

Jeff Wingo has owned his 2006 Goodguys Truck of the Year “Early” – winning 1950 Studebaker pickup since high school. Collaborating with Seymour, Illinois based GS Customs he remade the pickup from an old beater and somewhat of an oddball into the show stopper it has become today. The tired body was whipped into shape with countless hours of paint and body modifications which include a one and a half inch chop at the A-pillar, 2002 Jeep headlights and lots of other smooth tricks. The bed was treated with custom taillight, a 1998 Ford truck tailgate and a very cool candy-painted logo in the bed floor. The entire package is cloaked in a luscious deep orange copper courtesy of PPG. A GM Performance Parts Ramjet 350 and a 700R4 were selected for power and are cooled by a custom aluminum radiator by PRC/Street Rod Stuff. Inside the truck, beige leather and copper carpet accent the custom wrap around dash. Nitto Tires and Coddington Smoothie wheels connect through Air-Ride equipped C4 suspension to a custom frame by GS Custom Fab.

Gary has built a few cars in his day, but decided to have the talented crew at Steve’s Auto Restorations in Portland have a go at building this one. He wanted them to build something “beyond his capabilities” and this is one shop that can certainly build award winning cars and trucks. Starting with a designer, the plans and details were sketched and after many hours of discussion, the plan was put into motion. The rear of the bed was laid forward, much like an Econoline, to match the angle of the massaged A-pillar and the entire front of the truck was reworked to follow suit for an aggressive profile. It’s also been chopped, channeled, sectioned, filled…you name it - the gang at Steve’s executed it with stunning precision. Everything not plated or upholstered was meticulously painted in House of Kolor Blueblood red and silver. The 4.6 Liter engine is from a 1996 Cobra and comes complete with a Kenne Bell Supercharger and JBA headers. The powerplant was then bolted to an Automatic Overdrive trans and set into the hand made frame. Tubular A-Arms and a chrome four link hang on coilovers and keep the Baer brakes and Budnik Wheels (18 &20’s) on track.

Bob Benn wanted a custom in the mold of the famed Jack Calori coupe. So much so that he visited the original car in Washington to measure it and photograph it before he set out on his own 1936 Ford kustom project. Working on his own coupe, he duplicated what he learned, such as the amount in the chop, filled roof opening and rumble seat, molded rear fenders, flushed skirts and ’40 Chevy headlights. He added his own touches along the way like a distinctive Cadillac grille with the vertical bars removed. Inside a ’40 Ford dash was used along with a 1950 Ford Crestliner steering wheel, (the actual wheel from the Calori coupe!) and yards of rolls and pleats. The car was painted in PPG Cranberry and 16” steelies were capped with rings and Lincoln flipper caps. A 273ci flathead was topped with two-twos, a Mallory ignition, and Navarro heads. Being an old school guy, Bob doesn’t own a trailer and his kustom gets driven to any show it attends locally. We wouldn’t hold it against him though if he saves the flathead from overheating on the long trip to Scottsdale to show off the first-ever Goodguys Kustom of the Year!

For many, 1970 was the pinnacle of the horsepower wars and the last year for all-out, no holds barred muscle cars. Gas was cheap, the race was still on, and Detroit was giving it all they had. The 1970 Chevelle SS LS6 was a watermark in history. With a 450 horsepower 454 that put out over 500ft.lb of torque it was one of the fastest cars of its day. Quarter mile times in the low 13’s at 105-108mph were achieved right out of the box. John Hill’s rare Daytona Yellow model is a nuts and bolts perfect example of the ’70 Chevelle. It features the factory cowl induction hood, LS6 454, an M-22 Rock Crusher four speed, and a factory geared 4.10 posi. It’s a bucket seat car with an optional cushion rim steering wheel and the SS gauges. It rolls on SS magnum wheels shod in the correct Wide Oval tires and stops with factory front disc brakes.

[source: www.good-guys.com]

Reaching out to the young in an effort to keep expanding interest in classic cars and rods of all types is important. There are many who dedicate much time and effort to create interest and help young people participate on many levels.

One of the more unique ways of dialing in the next generation happened this past year when Barrett Wray Phillips and Jackson Carroll Phillips were born on April 14 in Nashville, Tennessee. The twin boys were named after the famous Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction personalities.

President Craig Jackson noted that they welcomed all car collector’s, no matter how young, and that they were flattered to have these two little boys as their namesakes.

Keep watching. They may show up in Scottsdale someday.

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