Category Archives: Auctions

Auctions, Car show, Uncategorized

Arizona Concours D’Elegance

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Pierce Arrow ScriptArizona Concours D’Elegance kicks off a busy week of car auctions on Sunday January 11, 2015. This is the second year for the concours judging show and will be held at the famed Arizona Biltmore.

Arizona Auctions

No less than six companies come out to the Scottsdale, Arizona region for car auctions next week and include Barrett-Jackson along with Bonhams ,Gooding and Company, Russo and Steele, Silver and RM Auctions. Last year the inaugural Arizona Concours D’Elegance was held and is a great way to kick off this frantic week of car auctions. Plus the concours benefits a great charity, Make A Wish Arizona.

The Arizona Concours D’Elegance generally does not confirm which cars were accepted for the judging until the day of the event. But beautiful, historic classic cars will cover the grounds of the Arizona Biltmore. The emcee for the awards ceremony is our friend Keith Martin, who publishes Sports Car Market and is always present for the Arizona auctions.

Pierce Arrows

This year the committee selected four extra unique classes for cars to be entered in. They are the Pierce Arrows, the cars of Frank Lloyd Wright who is closely associated with the judging site – the Arizona Biltmore, competition Ferraris and the Carrozzeria Ghias.Pierce Arrow Drivers Side

Pierce Arrow Front End

We had a chance to check out these two Pierce Arrows at a local show and expect both to be on the judging fields next Sunday. The cars were in great shape and show the historic beginnings of the marquee. I was especially taken by the fuel gauge for the one Pierce Arrow being on the tank itself hidden behind the luggage. Hard for a driver to gauge his fuel economy on the fly!Pierce Arrow Fule Gauge

Briefings

Along with Saturday’s festivities the Arizona Concours D’Elegance host two informative events on the preceding Saturday. There will be an auction preview, hosted by the Phoenix Automotive Press Association (PAPA), with representatives talking about their upcoming cars and trucks that will be auctioned off. Plus an Elegance at Speed panel discussion with Peter Brock, Nigel Bennett and Kip Wasenko is held immediately after the car auction preview.

 

Arizona Concours D’Elegance Tour

After the rigors of the judging on Sunday there is a tour for the registered cars available on Monday January 12, 2015 so expect to see some serious classic rides on the roads around Phoenix.

Only 2,000 tickets are available for this luxurious event so don’t wait to check out their website and buy your tickets now.

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Auctions, Uncategorized

Pratte Collection Selling at Barrett-Jackson

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Ron Pratte’s extensive car collection, including cars and automobilia, is selling at the Barrett-Jackson Auction in Scottsdale, AZ. We have previously offered an exclusive look at his collection on  this website. Our friends at Barrett-Jackson have just announced that they are expanding their auction dates to accommodate all the vehicles.

Barrett-Jackson Auction, January 2015

The auction in Scottsdale, AZ will now  start on Saturday January 10th, with portions of Pratte’s automobilia being sold from Saturday January 10th through Tuesday the 13th. Traditionally the auction house starts each morning with some automobilia but his extensive collection obviously requires more lots and time. Usually car sales don’t start until Tuesday.

Ron Pratte Collection

Pratte collected a massive amount of cars and they are auctioning off his cars on Tuesday January 13th and on the “prime time” Saturday January 17th. Saturday afternoon and evening is traditionally the ONE day for the most anticipated vehicles, (like the Batmobile) selling at the highest prices.

Pratte’s collection includes some historic vintage cars, many built by highly regarded fabricators like Boyd Coddington and numerous cars he bought whose proceeds went to charity. In fact he often bought a charity car and then re-donated it back so it could be auctioned off again.  Several of his cars are selling, with the proceeds going to specific charities, that he always has supported.

Looks like Barrett-Jackson week just got longer.  Will you be attending?

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Auctions, Uncategorized

Barrett Jackson Auction Tops Records in Las Vegas

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top-5-at-barrett-jackson-bannerBarrett-Jackson

Congratulations to our friends at Barrett-Jackson who took Las Vegas by storm with another record setting auction at Mandalay Bay on September 25-27, 2014. During those three days Barrett-Jackson had the largest number of vehicles in their Las Vegas history, with more than 700 vehicles offered up with sales exceeding $33 million.

Besides the volumes of cars, being Las Vegas meant plenty of celebrities and quasi-celebrities were there. Last year was packed with stars and more were seen this year

Barrett Jackosn in Las vegas
US flag at Barrett Jackson

Charity Cars at Barrett-Jackson

As is the case for all the Barrett-Jackson auctions, some cars were auctioned off to benefit specific charities. The auction house always waive their fees, so the full amount goes to the charities. You might have heard that the 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat sold for $825,000. In addition another group matched that bid so the local charity received $1,650,000! Rick Hendricks bought that car, like he has bought numerous charity cars at the auctions. That’s the most money raised for charity from one car at any of the Barrett-Jackson auctions ever.

Las Vegas welcome sign
Welcome Car Auctions

Future Auction Coverage

This auction also marks the end of the Barrett-Jackson auctions being broadcasted by the Fox Networks. After years of being on SPEED and Fox, in 2015 the auction will now be covered by the Velocity Channel, part of the Discovery brand.

Can’t wait until January when all the auctions converge in Arizona! What about you?

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Auctions, Car show

Boyd Coddington Cars from Ron Pratte Collection

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Boyd Coddington built a great variety of award winning cars.  This Southern California icon left us way too soon.  But fortunately his cars remain to showcase his vision and talent.

Ron Pratte Collection

Ron Pratte collected plenty of cars over the years and will be selling them at the Barrett-Jackson Auction in Arizona in January.  While specifics haven’t been finalized, it is thought that all his cars will be sold.  Here’s a link to our first article about Ron Pratte selling off his cars.

Pratte never has opened his car collection to the public but we got an exclusive peek a few years ago.

Boyd Coddington

Amongst his collection, Pratte owns the largest collection of Boyd Coddington built cars.  Coddington earned fame after winning an AMBR award but many first heard of him on a reality TV show, American Hot Rod – that set the theme for car building TV series.

In Pratte’s collection are a stylistic version of the classic 57 Chevy – Chezoom,  a homage to a 32 Delahaye called the Whatthehaye and the AlumaTub.

All three cars reflect Coddington’s iconic style, long sweeping lines and smooth bodysides.

Here’s a link to an article we contributed to eBay Motors on these Boyd Coddington cars.

Which is your favorite?

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Auctions, Uncategorized

Pratte Collection Selling Soon

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As we previously posted here, Barrett-Jackson sources confirmed that they are selling Ron Pratte’s collection of classic cars and automobilia in January during their auction in Scottsdale, AZ.

Car Collection of Ron Pratte

Ron Pratte

Ron Pratte has amassed an impressive collection of classic cars over the past few years.  He has been a fixture at the car auctions, but rarely opened his collection to the public for viewing.  But we were able to get some exclusive photos of just some of his massive storage warehouse.

Barrett-Jackson officials haven’t yet confirmed the details of which cars will sell or how they plan to package these classics during the January, 2015 auction.

Automobilia Sign Collection from Ron Pratte

Here’s a link to the first of our 2 eBay articles on Ron Patte’s collection.

 

Auctions, Car show, Uncategorized

Pratte Car Collection Selling Soon

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Classic cars from the Ron Pratte Collection
Collector automobilia from Ron Pratte’s display
Classic cars from the Ron Pratte Collection

Ron Pratte has been a prolific classic car collector and is known for the size of his private collection and his generosity in buying “charity” cars, with the  proceeds going to specific charities.

Arizona Auction

Recently Barrett-Jackson confirmed the swirling rumors that Ron Pratte was selling his entire collection next January at their Scottsdale, AZ auction at Westworld.

Ron Pratte Collection

Ron Pratte stored his cars behind closed doors in Chandler, Arizona and only rarely allowed outsiders to see these cars.  These pictures are rare glimpses of some expensive and profound historical cars.

Here is a link to an eBay Motors article we recently wrote highlighting three vehicles from Ron Pratte’s collection that presumably are selling.  What do you think they’ll sell for?  Subscribe to this blog for a future update on another part of his collection.

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Auctions, Car show, Uncategorized

Central Avenue Cruise

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55 ChevyTwice a year, Phoenix, Arizona hosts the Cruise on Central.

60’s Cruise

Back in the day Central Avenue was the main arterial for Phoenix, Arizona.  On Friday and Saturday nights youths would flock the entire length to cruise with their cars.  Of course back then, Central Avenue didn’t go as far!

Gone

Eventually the police and local businessman tired of the antics and “encouraged” drivers to disperse elsewhere.  Strict law enforcement helped this encouragement as cruisers went to Metrocenter Mall and Mesa’s downtown Main Street.

90’s Unsanctioned Cruises

“Somehow” in the 90’s the cruise on Central resurrected as an “unsanctioned” cruise.  Somehow cars just showed up along Central twice a year.  Now a local car show promoter Nancy Perry has taken the cruise under her wing and has organized it with police security, port-a-potties, some vendors and  arrangements with the owners of Park Central Mall, which is mainly office complexes now with lots of empty parking spaces on Saturday afternoon.

Enjoy this video of a few burnouts and watch for full coverage in a later post

You Tube Video

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Auctions, Car show, Manufacturer news, Uncategorized

Barrett-Jackson Florida Update

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Barrett-Jackson wrapped up their three days of car auctions on Sunday with sales exceeding $25 million in sales for over 500 vehicles.  The auction was held in Palm Beach, Florida and crowds were evident throughout the auction.  The prices were right and seven cars linked to charities sold for over $2.25 million dollars.

Detroit Muscle

Among the cars being auctioned off were Chevrolet’s first 2015 Camaro Z/28 for $500,000, a 2013 Mustang from the Hollywood film, Need for Speed went for $300,000 and the first production 2015 Z06 Corvette went for a smooth $1 million dollars!

Three Preview Cars from Barrett-Jackson Did Well

Previously we previewed three classics to keep an eye on and the prices sure were high for these beauties.

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The 57 fuel injected Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible went for $110,000.

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The 1971 Oldsmobile 442 Convertible went for $104,500.

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The silver 1967 Corvette coupe went for $165,000

Not bad for just three cars!

Barrett-Jackson TV Coverage Changes for 2015

Perhaps responding to complaints/concerns of their recent coverage on a variety of Fox stations, Barrett-Jackson announced that starting in 2015 with their Scottsdale auction the television coverage will be on Discovery and the Velocity channel.  That might be a better linkage for the car auction, especially with the heavy emphasis that Velocity gives to cars and restoration shows.  Wonder who the reporters will be?

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Auctions, Car show, Uncategorized

Barrett-Jackson Auction in Florida

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57 Chevy at Barrett JacksonBarrett-Jackson Auctions comes to Palm Beach, Florida this weekend for car sales on April 11-13, 2014, just before Easter.  They have a variety of cars for sale and provide live coverage from Fox Sports 1 and National Geographic for over twenty hours.

Barrett-Jackson is a great auction house and runs a well organized operation.  Their cars are well presented and the action is brisk.  It is a great show and definitely not one to miss.

Preview

We had the chance to preview some cars at a recent Goodguys event and here are some of our picks.

This 1971 Oldsmobile 442 is a numbers matching convertible.  The OLDS 445 engine links to a manual four speed and comes with factory optioned air conditioning, power steering, power lift top for the convertible and power front disk brakes.  The black paint is flawless and is coming from NASCAR’s Rick Hendrick.

DSCN3358

Corvette

You can’t go wrong buying or selling a Corvette at Barrett-Jackson and this silver beauty looks great.  It too has a four speed, naturally, matched up to a 427 Chevy engine.  It has lots of documentation and awards but the coupe would be a neat drive even without all the restoration efforts.DSCN3359

1957 Chevy Bel Air

Finally, readers know we like 57 Chevy’s here at Route 66 PubCo and this white convertible looks great.  It is one of eight 1957 Chevy Bel Air’s selling this weekend at Barrett-Jackson.  The 283 engine is updated to fuel injection, which is a sure way to bump up the fun and the price of these classics.  It comes with a correct red and silver interior.DSCN3364

Check out the auction and let us know your favorite.

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Auctions, Car show, Uncategorized

Count’s Kustoms Boat & 35 Chevy at Barrett Jackson

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Kounts Kustoms7Count’s Kustoms painted a Laveycraft speedboat to match a customer’s 35 Chevy Master coupe in season one of History Channel’s Counting Cars.  It isn’t often you see a boat, trailer and classic all painted with the same paint scheme but it was sold at Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale in January, 2014.Kounts Kustoms1

Package Deal

The trailer, boat and Chevy sold in a package deal.  One bid won all three items.  After all what would a seller do with a boat trailer after he sells the boat?Kounts Kustoms6

 

Count’s Kustoms

Count’s Kustoms is a hot rod shop based in Las Vegas and featured in a reality series on the History Channel.  The show focuses more on the people and their stories than the actual builds.  We had the chance to meet the Count and his shop’s manager Kevin at SEMA and they were genuinely nice, friendly folks.

Guess the customer was tired of the trio and opted to sell the set at Barrett-Jackson and play up the association with the Count and Counting Cars.

 

1935 Chevy Master Coupe

The Chevy coupe had the matching paint scheme of white flames on a baby blue sheet metal.  It had a tube frame and is powered by a Chevy 502 with a Mustang front end and a four link rear suspension.Kounts Kustoms5

The boat had been out of the water for a while and was a display model.  Overall all three pieces sold for $45,100 (with commission).  To my eyes the seller got a nice ride with a boat and trailer to boot.  As long as you liked the paint scheme it was nicely bought for and a bargain, especially given its connection to the Count !Kounts Kustoms3

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