Cool Cars in the Desert
Like swallows to Capistrano, every year car enthusiasts the world over migrate to Arizona for one (or more) of the 5-6 collector car auctions that take place in our Valley of the Sun.
The events normally take place in January. This year the pandemic called into question whether Scottsdale's premier event; the Barrett Jackson event would happen at all. Happily, despite a pandemic postponement, the event did take place in March.
Admittedly the event had to be a little "different" this year. Attendance was way down and the tents were only partially full of cars ready to face the auctioneer's gavel.
Here's some of what caught my eye.
The Ford Motor Company proudly greets attendees at the entry to the
Barrett Jackson every year. And, of course, all eyes this year were on Ford's glorious
GT's and an new all-electric Mustang Mach-E.
Ford's New Mustang Mach-E
Although I'm not 100% sold on the Mustang's design (seems more like a small crossover than a "pony" car to me), its fit and finish looked tight and the pricing seemed right.
The Stingray
As usual Ford was joined by Dodge, Tesla, Karma and Chevrolet. And, like last year, Chevrolet's dazzling new mid-engine Chevrolet Corvette continues to turn heads. I LOVE the "Stingray" logo on the boot.
Moving into the "Salon" tent, 2021's light attendance was plainly evident. Yet the tent included plenty of cool rolling stock to appreciate.
My fav's? A lovely 1967 Ferrari, Carol Shelby's Super Snake, Edsel Ford's Woody and an amazing '59 Desoto.
A Lot less Attendance This Year
The Hood Ornament from Edsel Ford II's 1947 Super Deluxe Woody Wagon
As my friends know, I have a serious hood ornament fetish. There is no 12-step program for it. So the iridescent hood art on Edsel Ford's woody stopped me in my tracks. It found a new owner willing to part with $209,000.
Then a '67 Ferrari also stopped me. I had a 1966 Ferrari Berlinetta once (well it was a Matchbox car) but I have remained in love with that car ever since. The real full sized version here sold for $2,475,000.
A 1967 Ferrari GTB (Grand Touring Berlinetta)
There were the usual crowd pleasing split window corvettes, American Graffiti porthole T-birds and muscle cars.
But it was a swivel seat 1959 DeSoto nicknamed "Alan" that knocked me for six. I mean, seriously, how could anyone not love a car like this? Cocktails anyone?
The new owner's of Alan paid $258,500 to own this little slice of lovely American nostalgia.
1959 DeSoto Adventurer
Look at Those Swiveling Seats
Also representing the 1950's was this 1959 Custom El Camino "Triton" (Half Man / Half Beast). It was begun by Karl Krumy who worked with George (The Batmobile) Barris. Krumy left it incomplete until 2014 when Keith Dean finished the work. The Triton sold for $110,000.
1959 Chevrolet El Camino "Triton"
My last snap in the Salon tent is a gauge cluster from a 1952 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible (sold for $84,700).
A 1952 Cadillac Series 62
At this point I cruised the outdoor tents and admired everything from late"ish" model commuter Maserati's (Why?) to fire trucks (Why??) and farm tractors (Why???).
I tracked down a V-12 Jaguar XJ-S (that went for a song) and a 1963 T-Bird "Bullet Bird" Convertible (admittedly my passion).
The '63 Bullet Bird At The Detail Tent - All Ready to Gavel
I gorged on some additional hood art and a bunch of little details (like this clock in the rear view mirror of a spectacular 1932 Chrysler CI convertible that sold for $51,700)
Loved the Rear View Mirror Clock in this Chrysler CI
And IMHO some of America's best hood art adorns automobiles made by Packard. Here is the hood of a 1947 Packard Clipper Sedan (it sold for $31,900). I don't care if it is just a trip to buy diapers, anywhere you go in a car like this will be special.
1947 Packard Clipper
Here is a shot of the cars entering the detail tent just before getting sold. Some cars roared, others purred, but all met the gavel in their 90 seconds of fame.
The Detail Tent
Sadly, this year the auction severely limited seating for non-bidders in the main auction hall. I'm assuming it was to assure distancing. Actually it was fine. It was a lovely day so I just watched outside on a jumbo tron.
And there went that lovely T-Bird (a nice daily driver for $20,000). Somebody got a cool car.
With each year it becomes increasingly apparent that the collector market is evolving fast. A few years ago, a 55 T-Bird was hot at auction. For the last few years it has been 70's and 80's muscle cars that got adrenaline pumping and bids flying.
But really, prices simply flirt with those reaching middle age and their new found affluence, bolstered by a few beers. They buy the cars they dreamed of owning when they were young.
Others frankly just don't see cars as any big priority. They have UBER and Lyft. And the cars they grew up with lack character or charisma. Few modern cars trigger real passion.
So, looking out a couple of decades, times are destined to be very different.
Most American autos will be part (or all) electric. And, with fewer cars requiring gasoline, gas stations will come to realize they can't get by only selling big gulps and will begin to close.
That means some very prominent, high-visibility, building sites are about to become available on every corner in America!
For dinosaurs (like me), clinging to my old rolling stock, we will soon face the reality that our precious cars will soon be fuel orphans.
But, for now, who cares?
Next year, I'll be back!
Stay healthy! Stay Safe!
Roadboy's Travels © 2021
