All posts by Route 66 Pub Co

Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong’s 1964 Impala Sold at Silver Auctions in March, 2013

On March 16, 2013 at the Silver  Auction’s “Spring in the Desert” car auction at Fort McDowell AZ, a nondescript 1964 blue Impala was offered up for sale.  Here’s the listing from the auction web site.   Silver Auction

To say it was well worn would be an understatement.  The interior was torn up and the paint was in poor condition. What made this car somewhat interesting was the past ownership.  It was listed as titled in Green Day’s vocalist – Billie Joe Armstrong’s – name and was claimed to be his personal car.  The seller’s description could be best described as “optimistic”.

Although the auction indicated the title was in Billie Joe Armstrong’s name it had just recently sold on eBay .  It sold for $12,600 at eBay and at this auction it now hammered sold at $12,250 plus 8% commission (Total price for the math challenged is $13,230) .

This was probably not the type of crowd that knew who Billie Joe is or listen to Green Day, so it’s not surprising that the seller couldn’t generate more interest in this car.

What say you?  Was it a buy or a dud?  How much is the past ownership by Green Day’s vocalist worth?

Driver's SideInterior

 

As seen at SEMA, Bryan Fuller’s Thunder Taker now in Hot Rod Magazine

We first saw this stretched out hearse at the SEMA show in 2012.  It was done by Bryan Fuller of Fuller Hot Rods in Atlanta.  At the 2011 SEMA show Bryan was the spokesperson/celebrity for Gear  Wrench.

Now Hot Rod Magazine’s April, 2013 issue features it with a great story and pictorial.  http://www.hotrod.com/featuredvehicles/hrdp_1305_thundertaker_1960_cadillac_superior_coachworks_hearse/viewall.html

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This car took THREE years to build and is just an awesome 8,000 pounds of Detroit metal.  Great paint job and a nicely executed custom ride.

 

Green Day’s Mike Dirnt offered his 56 Ford Panel Truck at Silver Auction’s Arizona in the Spring

The bass player for Green Day, Mike Dirnt, was recently offering up for sale his 56 Ford Panel Truck.  It was for sale March 15-16, 2013 at the Silver Auction held in Fort McDowell,AZ (Phoenix metro area).  It drew some interest but never approached the actual reserve (the required minimum bid needed to buy it).  It might have been a deal if the bidding reached $60,000 or so.  Instead it went back on the trailer.

Here is some background on the build from Custom Classic Truck’s June 2012 issue.  http://www.customclassictrucks.com/featuredvehicles/1206cct_1956_ford_panel/viewall.html   My understanding is he invested $160,000+ in the restoration.

Seems that Dirnt bought this panel when a struggling band member and after they hit it big, he had the truck restored to how it was when he first bought it.  It was funny to hear the auctioneer explain who Green Day was to this “mature” set of buyers.  They probably never heard American Idiot.  Not sure why he decided to sell it, but I’m sure another place and time it’ll sell.  The panel is nicely done but a bit of a plain jane.  A little pin striping

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Goodguys Rod and Custom Celebrates 30th Anniversary in Scottsdale AZ

Goodguys anniversary logo

The Goodguys Rod and Custom folks kicked off their 30th anniversary in Scottsdale, Arizona this weekend.  The first two days were hit with rain but Sunday March 10, 2013 turned out to be a postcard picture perfect day.  While you can leave the event scratching your head at the cars that won an award; there is no denying that there are some awesome cars.  Some of the cars are squirreled away here in the Phoenix region but many come from across the western states.  Nice show, nice cars and nice weather.

Goodguys Chevy

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Chevy Impala

 

 

 

 

 

NHRA at Phoenix, AZ – End of an era or a new begining?

Drag racing
Erica Enders-Stevens NHRA Pro Stock driver

This weekend marked the 29th annual National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) meet at Phoenix’s Firebird Raceway.  But is it the end?  The dragstrip is on leased land owned by the Gila River Indian Community and was once out in the middle of nowhere on the southeast edge of the Phoenix area.  The 30 year lease expires at the end of March, 2013 and while the president of NHRA is optimistic, one can only hope that a new management team can keep NHRA coming back in 2014.

Phoenix is blessed with not only being the site of all four major sports – baseball, football, basketball and hockey – but also hosts two NASACR races and the Arizona Nationals for the NHRA.

Hopefully we’ll see NHRA back for more action like Erica Enders-Stevens’ win this past week.  What do you think?

1967 Volkswagen 21 Window Bus

Oh Scooby Doo, where are you?

When you see this bus, you just have to smile.  21 window vans (or buses) are just neat and this color scheme just screams fun!  I’m sure a purist would shudder at taking the originality off of this vehicle but it was a big hit at the 2013 Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale.  It sold for $110,000 with fierce bidding between the final two bidders.

1967 Volkswagen right front view

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Right front view