Here is a link to our complete coverage of the fun times at Goodguys Rod and Custom car show in Del Mar, California show last month. This is our article as posted by eBay Motors.
We gave you a sneak peek of the car show before, with this article.
Goodguys in Del Mar sort of gets the West Coast car guys to dust off the cars and start up the car season. We had perfect weather and some great cars to look at.
Check out the article on eBay and let us know your favorite cars .
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.
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!
Previously we previewed three classics to keep an eye on and the prices sure were high for these beauties.
The 57 fuel injected Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible went for $110,000.
The 1971 Oldsmobile 442 Convertible went for $104,500.
The silver 1967 Corvette coupe went for $165,000
Not bad for just three cars!
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?
At the Goodguys Fifth Spring Nationals Car Show held in Scottsdale, AZ Dan Sobieksi brought out his green 1962 Cadillac. This Cadillac was scrapping the asphalt. 
The judges were right to award it their So Low pick.
While you might not recognize the name, you’ll probably recall that he was a fabricator at Boyd Coddington’s shop when it was captured on TV’s American Hot Rod. Dan formed his own shop Poor Boys Hot Rods and in fact occupies part of Boyd’s old shop in La Habra, CA. We have spotted Dan swinging by with one of his rods at the Friday night cruise – Cruising Grand – in Escondido Ca
The Cadillac was down low but also spotlighted a custom authenticate flake green paint job for the roofline. In fact it was painted just months before the Goodguys Rod and Custom show. 
Everything about this rod screamed period authentic custom. Nice to see such a good eye for detail. Dan has a Facebook page for his 1962 Cadillac.
On Sunday in the awards area, Dan’s lady friend had a matching purse. 
Have to wonder which came first the car or the purse?
Lime Crush, a custom 66 Chevrolet Suburban, we first saw at its debut at the SEMA Show in 2013, came out of the winter blues for a sunny weekend at Goodguy’s Rod and Custom’s Fifth Annual Spring Nationals in Scottsdale.
At the 2013 SEMA Show, ACCEL revealed this awesome custom Suburban, named the Lime Crush. ACCEL Performance Group is a mixture of speed parts including Mr. Gasket. The Suburban is an eye catcher with the custom paint -Mr. Gasket Green- sprayed on by Charlie Hutton. The truck was done by the Roadster Shop which is based in Illinois. The amount of body modifications and custom pieces was just impressive. Looking at where it started from, makes the folks at the Roadster Shop even more impressive. It was quite a build! Here was Hot Rod Magazine’s take on the debut.
At the Goodguy’s Fifth Annual Spring Nationals, the truck came out again. It looks even better in the daylight where the lime green paint can truly sparkle! Of course the truck drew lots of admiring glances and the detailer spent his whole time keeping the dust down. It is always nice to see vehicles that pop up at the SEMA Show also make it out across the country for others to see in person.
The judges at Goodguys know quality and picked Lime Crush as a finalist for their Truck of the Year Title. If this is their first pick, it sure raises the bar for everybody else!
It’s said that the attention to the little things is what counts. It also helps if they have a sense of humor. All the deals on the truck, including those on the window were hand made. On the tailgate of the Suburban is this warning decal for the roof rack, for h the obligatory surfboards.
Here’s the close up.
Someone has a gnarly sense of humor.
What better vehicle to highlight for St Patrick’s Day?
Happened to run across this survivor – real patina- tow truck at the Barrett-Jackson auction and contributed an article for our Canadian friends at My Star Collector Car.
Owner has quite a storyTurns out that the original owner had no idea it was being auctioned off at Barrett-Jackson and I suspect he was a little sad to hear it was moving away from Sacramento. Read more on this original truck at …
The Bumble Bee is one of the main characters in the Transformer Movie Series and is a bright yellow Camaro. Chevrolet certainly enjoys the publicity that is garnered by the Bumble Bee and Hollywood studios are known for accepting cash or product for a movie “placement”.
At the recent SEMA show, the three “stars” of the upcoming Transformers 4 movie directed by Michael Bay were showcased by Chevrolet at a standalone display. Present were a new sleek Corvette Stringray, an urban looking Sonic and the yellow Bumble Bee Camaro. They were highlighting the upcoming Transformers 4 release next summer.
The same three cars were present at Chevrolet’s Media Event. But after Monday’s event some sharp eyed spectators noted a slight change in the “shoes” the Bumble Bee was wearing. 
It turns out the Hollywood magic must have worn out and the painted on Goodyear logo and Eagle name were removed showing the true brand of these tires – Pirelli.
Ah, the magic of Hollywood!
The COPO Camaro is what legends are made of. And if you watch Fast N’ Loud, the Gas Monkey franchise on Discovery, you’ll learn more about them soon. They recently sold a Gas Monkey decaled COPO Camaro in Reno, through Barrett-Jackson Auctions. And are doing some more by way of Chevy’s “Build Your Own” program.
Back in the 60’s, slick dealers could order cars made by Chevrolet in unique configurations using a Central Office Production Order (COPO). A dealer, Fred Gibb in Illinois, thought making a 69 Camaro with an aluminum 427 ZL1 power plant making 425 horsepower was a great idea. So ultimately he ordered 69 of these fabled cars, with Chevrolet requiring a minimum of fifty to make a COPO. With a price tag of over $7,200 (twice what a stocker cost), Gibb could only sell thirteen at his dealership and he sent the others out through a network of dealers.
These cars were intended for racing on the strip and they are rather rare and pricey. I first saw one owned by Reggie Jackson back in the 90’s. One sold at Barrett-Jackson in 2012 for $451,000
In 2012 the COPO name and concept was revived by Chevrolet at the SEMA show and was introduced with a white paint job. Only 69 ( a recurring number you see) were produced. It sold starting at $89,000 and was strictly for the NHRA’s strips with no VIN being issued and lacking a bunch of NHTSA mandated stuff. You had a choice of three engines; a 427 V8 or a 327 V8 with a either a 2.9L supercharger or a 4.0L supercharger
In 2013 it again premiered in SEMA, this time in a unique convertible (which most tracks wouldn’t allow)! It started at $86,000 and offered again three engine options. a 352 horsepower V8, a 375 Horsepower 6.5L V8 or a massive 7L V8 making again the 425 horsepower. Plus along with the racer’s standard Powerglide it came in a 4 speed manual. The convertible was later sold at auction with only one other convertible made in 2013.
Yet again for 2014, Chevrolet trotted out their COPO at SEMA in a light blue color. This year, lucky winners can choose from a 427 V8, a 350 V8 with a 2.9L supercharger, or mere V8’s with either a 350 or 396 cubic inch displacement. For 2014 a solid rear axle appears in place of the independent rear end.
Each year only 69 COPO’s are offered by way of a lottery system. But that is not the only way to get a COPO. Chevrolet has offered a “Build Your Own” program were you can open a parts book and build up from a rolling chassis. Again these are designed for the strip and lack a VIN and are definitely not “street legal”. For 2013 they were offered at a starting price of $55,000.
That’s essentially what Gas Monkey Garage did. They got their hands on twenty of these babies and offered them for $89,000 minus a engine and transmission. So far they have sold 14, with one more set to be auctioned in January at Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale AZ. Keep an eye out for more information about the COPO on their show soon. In the mean time, enjoy some views of the recent editions of the COPO Camaro
For the past three years, at the end of the SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) Show on Friday, some of the cars on display drive out of the show onto the surrounding street in front of the Las Vegas Convention Center. It has become known as “The Cruise” and has become very popular, even amongst weary, dog tired show goers.
In fact, the cruise started years earlier as an unofficial event. After the show closed on Friday afternoon, some cars would drive off to get to their trailers and either get locked up for the night or head back home. So locals and attendees would camp out along the drive ways and watch some of the cars drive away.
You can admire the individual cars and appreciate a static display of cars, but nothing beats seeing them now drive off, under power, lights on and with exhaust bellowing.
The Cruise just sanctioned this drive off and became a recognized, official event. Early Friday afternoon, before the show closes at 4 PM, portable bleachers are maneuvered into position along a driveway that had been the point of access for the taxi’s. The stands fill up hours before the cruise starts and the actual driveway gets lined with interested folks as well.
This year SEMA had an emcee and a DJ spinning some tunes. Because it gets dark early in Las Vegas, SEMA even arranges for some portable lights so the cars can be easily seen.
Some cars tossed out sponsor t-shirts or hats to the crowd and Chip Foose came over to say hi and thanked the crowd for attending. SEMA was even selling a limited number of hats, embroidered to commemorate the Cruise
Of course, the stars of The Cruise are the cars. Now most of these cars have already been parked outside of the convention center and on display all week long. But nothing takes the place of seeing the cars actually start up and drive off. We saw the WyoTech Ford truck/roadster, that we had previously highlighted, make a pass through the crowd after maneuvering out of the indoor display hall.
I never had seen so many LED’s on some of the 4X4’s and they were all blindingly lit. The cars were often packed with more than just the driver, so their friends could enjoy the experience. And of course many vehicles had more than one camera attached to their car, probably to help make a video for YouTube? There was even a drone flying overhead.
Many media folks were there including our friends from Hot Rod magazine. It was refreshing to see so many gear heads come out to see the cars cruise, and great to see so many owners take their cars on the road! Even the French builder of the 57 Bel Air themed Harley Davidson motorcycle drove out. This is a great way for SEMA to wrap up the week and was one of our highlights.
Enjoy some of our selected shots from the SEMA Cruise. Which is your favorite?
At the world’s largest convention of automotive aftermarket parts and accessories, the SEMA Show –Specialty Equipment Market Association – one of the highlights is the Chevrolet display; and the chance for a sneak preview at the Media Party held on Monday night before SEMA opens.
Besides catching up with various executives and seeing some great cars, Chevrolet brings in a few celebrities to spice up the night. Fortunately these celebrities have straight connections to the cars featured at this press event.
This year NASCAR racers Ricky Carmichael (and AMA racer and X Games champ) and Jeff Gordon were there to delight the crowds. Some of the featured cars were:
The All-Activity Sonic concept was introduced by Carmichael and had a cold air induction, a lowered suspension and enhanced braking.Spark EV Tech Performance concept
Chevy “powered up†this all-electric tire smoking mini-car, the Spark, with an instant on 400 lb-ft of torque –http://route66pubco.com/wp-admin/post-new.php more than the classic 1969 Camaro SS muscle car with a 350 V-8 – for exhilarating acceleration. It can go from 0 to 60 mph in only 7.5 seconds.
It seems that Chevrolet always has a new version of the legendary COPO drag cars for SEMA, and they didn’t disappoint this year with a light blue version. Very well designed and ready for the drag strip as is. This year will feature new front and rear fascia and be limited to the fabled 69 cars.
A flat blue Corvette that will be featured in the latest version of Playstation’s Gran Turismo was promoted. All week at the Chevy display show goers will be able to play an advanced version of the game.
This truck was a restored beauty and featured a new crate engine package from Chevy. The E ROD 5.3 L package is a plug and play emissions compliant powertrain.
His SS came with a red satin (flat) finish was an awesome car with subtle power touches. A LS3 engine and a 6 speed automatic transmission were the power plant for the SS.
The road worthy Z/28 in all black was released at this event. Featuring Brembo brakes, less weight and a LS7 engine helps make this track car a worthy competitor and lives up to its namesake.
Three cars from the 2014 Transformer movie were on hand to be admired; a new Bumble Bee Camaro, a Sonic and bright Green Corvette Stingray
Good times, good cars, good people. SEMA cranks up in full power mode in a few hour son Tuesday November 5th. More details at Chevy Performance.
SEMA – the Specialty Equipment Market Association – show starts officially on Tuesday November 5, 2013 in Las Vegas. Car Nirvana is spread over 2 million square feet of interior space and even more cars are positioned outside. I figured if Hot Rod Magazine can prediction what the SEMA 2013 will highlight, I can predict too.
I’ll be more modest and only give you five trends to be spotted at SEMA this year.
Car of the Year – Has to be the Corvette Stingray. This is the after-market convention after all and there has been no more pent-up demand, than seeing the Corvette C7 hit the streets.
Flat is back. We’ve seen variations of flat paint jobs in the past, and that trend is going to explode. Both from the mainstream manufacturers but also the specialty shops. And contrary to some opinions, it takes as much prep work on a car body to spray it flat as it does for the shiny clear coats.
Step up the transmissions. Used to be standard to row through four speeds, but not that Detroit is issuing out sheet metal with 7 speed transmissions to help up the EPA gas mileage, so will the aftermarket.
Truck of the year? Got to be the Chevrolet Silverado. Demand is back up for trucks, that’s where the money is and that’s where General Motors has hit a home run. It might be apolitical to have two winners from the same manufacturer, but the Silverado deserves it!
Retro is back with a passion. Clothing, accessories, and cars will all be showing an old fashioned look. Woodies, rat rods, salt wagons will all be highly visible.
Stayed tuned and we’ll see how many of these predictions you might agree with after Friday and the show wraps up.
