Awesome Automobiles and Auctions

A few weeks ago, I attended the very cool Barrett Jackson Auto Auction Extravaganza in Scottsdale. I had the best seating because of friends who were in the bidding area reserved only for those able to write extremely large checks without suffering massive or fatal heart attacks. It was exciting to see the mint condition vintage, classic and exotic cars roll onto the stage. Time after time the auctioneer would begin his verbal chant always ending in "SOLD" as the gavel crashed onto the rostrum and the bidder's number was called out. It made me nervous to even think about brushing my hair back for fear of being mistaken for a bidder...like I looked the part...ha. Mostly I tried to remember to sit on my hands. Just to give you an idea of the condition of these vehicles, imagine chrome as shiny and sterile looking as brand spanking new utensils in a surgical room, paint so many layers thick, one could masterfully apply a full face of makeup in the reflections. No dust, no shoes, no service. And, to give you an idea of a few of the price tags, ever know of a car to cost 2.6 million dollars?? Me, neither. The cheapies sold for many times over what my first house cost. There was absolutely no signs of a recession inside the enormous West World display arena.

So all week, my friends had been having the, "honey, are you really sure you want that car you have your heart set on?" conversation. His reply was always the same.....rather say, his look, which was a resounding yes. The coveted car was a hot little Camaro, The Intimidator #3, with some of the engine "innards" being from a Dale Earnhardt race car. I tried to help his wife translate the infatuation into our female world....the thought of being able to bid on a whole warehouse of Christian Louboutin shoes. She understood that better but don't get the impression she is a novice to collectable cars. This wasn't their first rodeo.

After realizing he wasn't going to back down, she decided to pull out the stops and help the cause. She excused herself but didn't return. After about 1/2 hour, Craig called her cell number. She answered from the drivers seat of his soon to be Camaro after convincing the owners to let her drive it onto the stage...don't ask me how, but she did. (hum a few bars with me........If you knew Myra, like I know Myra, oh, oh, oh...) When we saw her pull around the corner and up onto the anti ramp, we went to the stage area to give her a push. Craig then took his position as bidder extraordinaire and after a few minutes of intense nodding yes and one shake of a no, his final bid brought down the gavel. Not that he wasn't cool about it, but we were all pretty excited. How many times do we get the one thing we really, really want? OK, for some, a lot, but this time was just different. A mini side thrill for me was the fact that I was at the Daytona race 11 years ago where Earnhardt lost his life in then car #3, so his legacy continues to hold a bit of personal feeling for me. (refer to Feb. 2011 blog, The Day the Lights went out in Daytona, if interested.)

So, The Intimidator #3 is now in Iowa in the Hansen automobile stable, along with many other stepcar siblings. The proceeds of the sale went to a cancer camp in South Carolina so it was doubly eventful to think the purchase helped kids with big troubles. Also, the Hansens intent is to continue using the car for other meaningful charitable endeavors.

It was such a great weekend. I've always wanted to attend this particular happening, was able to do it 1st class, and it's now another item marked off my bucket list.
Upward and onward to many more exciting events.