Greetings from Barrett-Jackson... now get out!

[West Peterson]

It's cold, wet and rainy down here. If I wanted this kind of weather, I would have stayed home!!

But the weather is not the only thing that's cold. Read this interesting article from the Arizona Republic.

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/0119auction0119martin.html

[TG57Roadmaster]

<span style="font-weight: bold">Kick out Keith Martin?!</span>

At the "Annual <span style="font-weight: bold">B-J</span> <span style="font-style: italic">Slaughterhouse</span>", the hype around this particular "Cream-Puff" would be;

"<span style="font-style: italic">Spectacular</span> Numbers-Matching, <span style="font-style: italic">low-mileage</span> <span style="font-weight: bold">Survivor</span> discovered in Mid-Michigan Barn, <span style="font-style: italic">fresh</span> from a 5-year,

<span style="font-style: italic">No-expense spared</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold">Rotisserie-restoration</span>! <span style="font-style: italic">Never</span> smoked in."

When, in truth it should go something more like <span style="font-style: italic">this</span>;

"Test mule, <span style="font-weight: bold">flogged to death</span>, driven in circles <span style="font-style: italic">for days on end</span> at top speed on <span style="font-weight: bold">Belgian Block track</span>, thru rain, sleet, <span style="font-style: italic">snow</span>, salt <span style="font-style: italic">and</span> <span style="font-weight: bold">hail</span>, by surly <span style="font-weight: bold">Milford Proving Ground</span> testers <span style="font-style: italic">counting the hours</span> till retirement. Hauled away in boxes in 1966 by Bay City Boy Scout Troop #666, used since then as hibachi to roast wienies. Recent <span style="font-weight: bold">Earl Scheib</span> paint, <span style="font-style: italic">Walmark</span> seat covers, light wear on dry-rot <span style="font-style: italic">retreads</span>.

"This one's a <span style="font-weight: bold">Keeper</span> guys. I'll start the bids for this Bit o' Honey at <span style="font-style: italic">$75,000</span>; you <span style="font-weight: bold">know</span> you can't go wrong.

...'Cause <span style="font-weight: bold">Craig sez</span> values on these babies are growing faster than his <span style="font-style: italic">waistline</span>!"

TG

So <span style="font-weight: bold">that's</span> why some 'Vettes <span style="font-style: italic">rattle</span>! (Image of Milford Proving Ground in 1965.)

[tbirdman]

My biggest problem with the Speed TV is the announcers who have no respect for the cars...leaning up against them, hanging on them etc. I saw Mike Joy pick up the gas level indicator stick, explain what it was for, then literally through the stick back in the trunk. He did however when demostrate the use of a magnet to determine bondo, indicate that you should get the car owners permission first which I sure he didn't when he was showing how do do it. They also really give you know idea what shape these cars are really in except on a few occasions.

Also why are they calling these clone cars, tribute cars?

[Bob Kinker]

Also why are they calling these clone cars, tribute cars?

It sounds better than "Clone" !!!!!

<img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[Matt Harwood]

If you guys haven't read Martin's "Sports Car Market" I highly recommend it. It's by far my favorite magazine each month with excellent coverage of auctions as well as focusing on specific vehicles each month. Having read Martin's columns over the years, he does have a beef with B-J, but it's not personal nor spiteful. His complaint is that the event is so hyped, each car is so glossed over without any fact-checking on its history, each bidder spending money just to be seen on TV that it falsely skews the values of many of the cars. He correctly points out that a vast majority of the cars at B-J are incredibly ordinary cars with incredible marketing behind them.

I said it before and I'll say it here: there's a problem with an auction when the crowd starts cheering the bidders once they pass $100K. There's a problem when people pay extra for something with the Barrett-Jackson logo because it's a "special edition." There's a problem when a bidder brings a car to the auction and donates it to Barrett-Jackson (the company) as a thank you for all they've done for the hobby, as if B-J was doing it for philanthropic reasons instead of lining their pockets with egregious bidder and seller premiums.

Martin's point is that B-J is not a realistic representation of the hobby nor what a quality auction should be. I will admit that I love watching it on TV for a myriad of reasons, and even have a party each year to watch it with buddies. But that doesn't change the fact that it isn't a very good venue for high-quality cars at market-correct prices. I'd love it if Speed would cover the Russo & Steele auction instead. At least you wouldn't see every single red 1967 Corvette 427/435 on the planet, plus another 10 fakes with full documentation constantly going across the block.

[1937hd45]

By now most of you know I don't give a rats a$$ for post war vehicles but the bidders at BJ obviouly do. My guess is that they spend a fair amount of time inspecting the cars before the get on the block and know exactly what they are willing to pay. Any car that sold for $50,000 or less was a deal and less that the restoration cost IMO. The bidders are too cheap on all the Hagerty Fantacy Bids vehicles I've bid on, another grand and I would have nailed a $83,000 Chevelle. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

[barry22]

The article from the Arizona Republic was interesting. The auction company was in its rights to eject Martin from the grounds as the reporter was on private property. Maybe more attention will be directed to what Martin insinuated were shady bidding tactics and hyped-up values of the popular muscle cars that are fetching high prices at auction.

[tbirdman]

I wanted if anyone will be doing an article on the ratio of touches to bid that Amy Assiter delivers <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

[Guest Skyking]

There was a '59 Metropolitan at the auction that went off at $27,500. It wasn't televised. It was auctioned before the show went on the air. I did get to see some photos of the car on b/j's web site. Just looking at the photos I counted 6 major things wrong with the car. It's quite obvious these people have more money than brains. They claimed this car was professionally restored. I can't see how.......Do any of these people really know what they're buying???

[Shop Rat]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">They claimed this car was professionally restored. I can't see how.......</div></div>

A friend of ours had his antique T-Bird professionally painted. There were runs in the paint on the main part of the body. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> I would have sued the guy that did it but our friend thought it was a great paint job and was very proud of the car. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

[Guest Skyking]

Susan, you know what the sad part is, 90% of the people can't tell the difference.......... <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

[Shop Rat]

You're right Skyking, that is sad.

[Amphicar BUYER]

Would they be willing to accept "Cloned" or "Tribute' dollars for them FAKE cars????

As a restorer, I really get frustrated by the over-use of "restored" to described fake and custom cars. If it is not as the factory did it, it is CUSTOM not restored!

[Guest AlK]

Good Grapes, I think I might try the B.J. auction and see if I can get 25-30,000 for my stock

1962 Dodge Dart 440 4dr sedan with only minor interior problems. To normally sane people I would take the actual value of $4,900 but he!! B J and it's audience probably would not know the difference. I will have to sit down and work out some good sounding spin on this to hype it up.

[1937hd45]

It was a lot of fun to watch this year, has ZERO effect on the cars I like and we'll never see any of them at an AACA event, now we can move on to the Daytona 500! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[Guest 53Nailhead]

Hear, Hear. Hope the 'Car of tomorrow' is all it's said to be! I'm a fan & go to several races a year but...what ever happened to 'Stock Car Racin'??

[tbirdman]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Would they be willing to accept "Cloned" or "Tribute' dollars for them FAKE cars????

As a restorer, I really get frustrated by the over-use of "restored" to described fake and custom cars. If it is not as the factory did it, it is CUSTOM not restored! </div></div>

I hate the overuse of "restored" or body off restoration as quality terms to describe original cars for sale. My comment is usually "Oh, they did abody off restoration, but kept the beat up trim on the body"

[DavidP]

I'm continually amazed at some of the prices on the Barrett-Jackson auctions!

Some of the prices on the antique cars, such as the "1929 PACKARD 633 OPERA COUPE" directly below, which went for only $21,000 ... while the 'muscle cars' of the 60's & 70's are going for well over $100,000 ...

Life isn't fair I guess ... unless its truely 'unique','modified' or 'custom' ...

http://www.barrett-jackson.com/carlist/cardetails.asp?In_AuctionID=221&In_LotNumber=1531

[1937hd45]

Just about everything under $50,000. sold for less than the restoration cost IMO.

[Guest ChrisSummers]

I am utterly and completely disgusted with Barrett-Jackson in general. I have never attended one of their events, but this year's Speed coverage on TV was enough. Spanky Assiter got bids mixed up so many times I wondered if he'd been konked by the same curtain rod that dropped on Gordon Apker's new Lincoln, and Speed cut to commercial for both the Packard V-12 and Paul Whiteman's Cord.

I can't help wondering what Tom Barrett and Russ Jackson, who both filled their garages with some of the finest classics known to man, would think if they could see it now.

And as for the bidders...

"A little knowledge about cars is dangerous."--John Bond

[Guest 58srgreat]

I have attended the BARRETT-JACKSON auction for the past 20 years.I have seen it grow from a nice local auction to the circus it is today.Over the years it seems the overall quality of the cars has continued to decline.The MEGABUCK muscle cars and corvettes are usually well restored but the majority of the cars are just average.The quality of cars at FALL HERSHEY and GRAND NATIONAL meets is just so much better than what you see at B.J.It seems the main focus every year at B.J.is to top the previous years'sales figures.The market does seem to be leveling off and even MR. JACKSON himself admitted this in reference to CORVETTES when being interviewed on SPEED.Total sales did exceed last years figures ONLY because MORE cars were offered!If you have never attended B.J.,you should attend at least once just to see the circus!

STEVE

[carbking]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Would they be willing to accept "Cloned" or "Tribute' dollars for them FAKE cars???? </div></div>

Personal opinion (others may differ) is that one should be able to use "Monopoly money" to pay for clones! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Jon.