Auction Week in Phoenix

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It's not every day that one gets an invite to Phoenix during what I learned is called "Auction Week". I've never called it that, but it was probably out of ignorance. Luckily my friend who lives down there part time knows all about it and offered up a place to stay and transportation to and from the various auctions on-going. Anyhow, it was air miles to the rescue and away I went....just as the snow started to fly(my wife okayed me to go, but I think she was regretting that decision a day when she dropped me off in the snow at some ungodly early hour Monday morning, lol ). This is gonna take me a few days to get thru, because, holy crap(!), there were a lot of cars, and I tried to focus on the VWs you don't get much of a chance to see on TV coverage that tends to focus on the muscle side of things...

Wednesday was the day we decided to attend Barrett Jackson. A cloudy but warm enough day to walk in wearing shorts and a t-shirt, without a jacket. It was recommended to me to plan for a whole day as it would be overwhelming. Good advice!



Yes, there are sponsors other than the "big 3"



Didn't know such a thing existed, the Mustang Mach E. Does the future have to be so...meh?



The new Toyota BMW Supra . I was trying at first to take a picture of the more demure version because there was a model standing in front of it that I was sure would please Mr. V, but just as I raised my phone, she scuttled outta the way. I was a bit surprised to be honest. I mean aren't the models there to have their pic taken with the cars??? I actually talked with her about her behaviour and her reply in a soft British accent was,"I prefer not to have my photo taken". I still don't get it. However, what I did get was a ride in a Supra...no idea if I'll have much luck posting that.



Cool! A Scout 800, or is it? Well on the outside anyway. Cummins diesel powered now





And here is where all the craziness happens. The sound was deafening! I saw more than a few people wandering around with earplugs...a very good idea!



As one moves to the right and around behind the auction block one starts to see how this is disneyland for people with a lot of money and a love of cars that keeps on going...



First off what the heck kinda finish is this? Turns out it isn't finish at all because these bodies are made from silicon bronze. I worked in a foundry for a while casting bronze, but none of the castings ever came out like this, lol!





Now collectible, the 2006 Ford GT the reimagined 1960's Le Mans winner. I really like the Gulf colours and this car isn't overdone in its styling as the more recent ones are in my mind, so I did lust after this car somewhat

[CrazyBrit]

That looks like an amazing trip. I can't wait to read and see more .

[magikbus]

It sounds like you had a great time. BUT if we can't get to see a picture of the model, how about some VWs. Maybe a blue truck?
Stan

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Jan 22, 2020 19:58:38 GMT -8 magikbus said:

Maybe a blue truck?
Stan

Patience, Stan. That seems like a needle in a haystack kind of request, especially if it's a blue VW truck, but stranger things have happened

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Ever want to be owner of a Superbird? If you had a fat wallet, there were just a few to choose from, lol! What colour strikes your fancy? I don't think I have ever seen one in person, let alone a whole line of them!



How about a Mustang? It seems all colours, years, and models were represented. Sorry, I don't have a lot of interest in these cars, but the shear number was almost off-putting.



Even though I have never owned a Dodge, these were some nice, updated drivetrain examples



I think this was called a Command Car at one point. Gung-ho General Patton was chauffeured around in one I believe. Pretty sure what is original is just what you see, except the (lame) wheels(good thing I am not opinionated!)...



I learned to drive partially(still can't fully )on a 1970 Ford F100. I drooled on this one a bit. However it was on its way to the staging area and the guy was having a helluva time getting it to run without stalling. Not something that would do the seller's heart much good I am sure. Luckily they tend to push vehicles on and off the stage to minimize exhaust in the building. The driver, who I think was the seller in this case eventually did make it to his destination



What??? These are collectible now??? LOL My dad drove a similar age Suburban for work.



Now I just said I am not too into Mustangs, but this car was a work of understated art. The pics don't nearly do it justice. It looked fast just sitting there in colours that turned my crank





Is the engine big enough? I should have got more details, sorry!



My apologies to Russ, but this is the first VW I saw. A steam punk volksrod. If you are into nicer functional art cars, this one might fit the bill.









Not a distance runner



Some guy got an usual woodie at the auction. Eeeeeeww! Does it float? I dunno, but it wood( ) sure be uncomfortable!

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A relatively stock Thing. I hadn't started taking a pics of the sold stickers or descriptions yet. I think my head was spinning at this point.



Straight from Venezuela was this FJ28 the precursor to the venerable FJ40





A newer but apparently "real", Manx buggy. Think that cage around the engine would do anything?





Klynt at Bavarian would like this. Note the interesting deflector window in rear side window



Okay, this is more like it! I wish I could have had a look at that advertised Judson supercharger. It was one of two I remember not getting a look at



Not a fan of Zwitters, but it was a nice example. I am sure Mr. Beetle, Russ, will have something to say about all Beetles I have taken pictures of, so I probably shouldn't say too much, lol!





Next we have a lowered Squareback. I liked everything about this car, it just needed a bigger engine to smoke the tires Went for a tidy sum!







What's smaller than a Beetle? A microcar! I have always loved microcars like this BMW Isetta and this was the first one I have ever seen in person. Don't know if I could have fit in that little space...





How much did part of my greasy lunch cost? Remember, it's Ameribucks! They got you over a barrel there, so just bend over and pass the credit card thru your legs...



After tent 5 and lunch, we went back into the building continuation past the auction block where we exited, apparently too early. You see it was rumoured that more than a few VWs were inside...

But first...Plenty of in-your-face restored Blazers. That was okay with me!



Then they started to appear. Like this White/Mouse Gray 1959 23 Window Bus



A full complement of restoration pics



High hinge doors with semaphores....



....because it didn't have any turn signals. The euro bumpers set it apart from American models, but I don't know if this was really a Euro Bus or not.



But wait there is more...notice the tail pipes in the first pic?? Those are more common these days because the Okrasa kits are being reproduced. I am not sure if "period correct" means original or not though. A VVWC member in Victoria might like the sticker



Drop back a year and we have probably my second favourite VW at the show. Is that black over red? Nope, more accurately it's Chestnut Brown over Sealing Wax Red





You aren't gonna get anywhere very fast, but you'd be doing it in great style. Alas, if I even was able to own a Bus like this I couldn't drive it for fear of something happening.




More later....

[magikbus]

Wow, gotta wipe the drool off my keyboard for sure. Thanks for the pics Don.
Stan

[camplug]

The Phoenix auction week is on my bucket list. I’ve been to the Barrett Jackson auction in Vegas and it was super rad but the Scottsdale one is just that much bigger. American size! We really have no clue what a “big car show” is up here in comparison to the states. I must say your “VW penny pincher status” is hilarious with that lunch receipt.

[CrazyBrit]

Unless those semaphores have been added, then the 59 is not a North American model.

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Jan 26, 2020 15:18:30 GMT -8 camplug said:

I must say your “VW penny pincher status” is hilarious with that lunch receipt.

All of our resources are not equal, but I am glad you found it humourous

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Okay, where was I? Oh yeah, standing in front of my (almost) dream truck! So why the 'almost'? Well, it's a 68, which I know some love about it because it has a number of 'one year only' parts, but I can't stand those round side reflectors and I have never loved those long stemmed rear view mirrors. Also those kicked-up dash pads are not my favourite I know picky, picky, picky.... If I were be able to afford this truck, I don't think I would be such, i.e. I'd dive it with a huge grin on my face. It was a VERY nice restoration. I couldn't look at it any more(should have taken underside pics) because I needed to find a way to stop thinking about how I could bid, lol! It ended up going for $55K + 10% Buyer's Premium = $65.5 USD which right now is around $86+ K ...YIKES!



The perfect body colour in Neptune Blue, wearing proper commercial hubcaps





Nice original engine compartment



Straight!



I guess it will never be a load carrier again, but what a nice bed! Those slats were even rivetted on, just like original!





Not a big fan of the blue interior, but I think those were proper for NB commercials



A nice '65 21 window in white over Sea Blue



Which one? Tough choice!



Is it a Studebaker or......a.......Packard??





This Tupolev, yes, the Russian aircraft manufacturer, A-3 Aerosledge was a airboat designed for high speed rescue over water and marsh. It has been at B-J a few times



Lots of people commenting on this. Definitely not for Canadian winters!! Perfect for down there though....unless you don't want dust in your shorts and in in your mouth! I guess that is what the Corona is for...

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Well, isn't that just great....I was just getting ready to post the next 20 pics and one wrong swipe of the mousepad when my computer shifted and poof, gone! Crap.

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Trying again...

A nice '68 without those pesky side reflectors, but they did put a pre-65 'slash' rear bumper in place of the proper 'pointed'. I was watching Sunday and saw that it went for $23,100 USD. Pretty good I'd say.





A nicely restored example of the Corvair Rampside Pickup. What you see on the side is actually a gate with a strip of rubber on it so when the gate lowers the painted surface is not in contact with the ground. It has a low bed at that point so larger items can be loaded up. The VW Single Cab had a similar version available as a Special Order. It was referred to as the "low-loader" or some thing like Tieflader(German for low loader ).



Went for good money, I'd say.



Wasn't someone in Duncan making these replicas at one point? I don't know if this had any significance, but judging by its location in the auction tent led me to believe it was replica and not the real thing.



Okay, I think this a late 50's Austin Healy Bugeye Sprite. It was apparently Carrol Shelby's Race School car. The pictures in front of it show him in it with a student. How did 2 people fit in there and function?? There was a discussion between my friend and the owner about which way the bonnet(front hood) opened up. Apparently 'stock' was regular with the hinges at the rear, but the popular conversion at the time was made to be from the front. Any opinions/knowledge out there?




A nice 57 in Pastel Green.





What's that beside it Russ?



Another air cooled car, the Corvair. This is the second generation series that started in 1965. Not a fan or convertibles, but 110hp would be fun. Apparently called the "poor man's Porsche" at the time

[owdlvr]

Nice! I'm always a bit sad in January that Hagerty doesn't fly me out for Auction week anymore. Please tell me that you didn't spend your entire week at "The Circus" (aka: Barrett Jackson) and you managed to go to some of the "good" auctions? BJ definitely has the most cars, and it's great for a walk around...but what an awful buying experience. Not sure how people handle it. Russo and Steele is similar, but the good Auctions are RM, Goodings, etc. Proper auctioneer who you can understand, you know where the bids are coming from, and there isn't an air of "who are we screwing today???"

Having said that, the Silvers Auction on Saturday is my favourite to visit. Prices on cars are so low I often contemplate buying one to drive home. Its common to walk by a car at Silvers and be hit with the cloud of off-gassing from a paint job that was finished the night before. It's hilarious.

Okay, I think this a late 50's Austin Healy Bugeye Sprite. It was apparently Carrol Shelby's Race School car. The pictures in front of it show him in it with a student. How did 2 people fit in there and function?? There was a discussion between my friend and the owner about which way the bonnet(front hood) opened up. Apparently 'stock' was regular with the hinges at the rear, but the popular conversion at the time was made to be from the front. Any opinions/knowledge out there?

Correct, 58-61 Sprites had hood hinges that pivoted at the rear near the windshield, and the whole nose came up. Head space is rather limited, so the popular choice was to install a front tilting hinge kit.

[Volktales]

Orange car in the background is a Honda Z600.  And yes the 600 represents the size of the engine in cc...  I will post a better picture later...