Barrett Jackson thoughts

[azruss]

The kid and I went to BJ on Saturday morning. Got there when it opened and stayed til noon. Here are some thoughts:
Fiats did well: Multipla sold for $35,750, Jolly went for $71,500, 67 500 went for $17,600, a 60 600 went for 12,320. They were all very nice cars. The "A" list alfa and bizzarini didn't meet reserve. You just got the feeling they had so many cars to sell, they rushed them through as fast as they could. If you were looking for a buy, hang out til then end of each day after most of the bidders cleared out. In visiting the show, the bidder area was sealed off from the crowd so never even saw it. All the cars were under tents. Bondurant had a big section of the parking lot set up in an autocross style course with pylons. they were giving rides (professional drivers, you throwing up in the passenger seat) in vettes, vipers, and the like. lots of roaring engines and squealing tires. If hot rods are your cup of tea, this is the show for you. Ford had the first booth in the door. Had 2 mustangs on a stage on dynos and you could sign up to "dyno race". I finally saw some car covers that are a major step above when i can buy at Auto Zone. The vendors were hawking everything from grand pianos and hot tubs to expensive art and big power boats. By the time noon rolled around the place was packed and couldn't get a good look at anything. We left our "classics" at home because all the parking was in the dirt with no marked spaces. The kid and I decided it wouldnt be worth the money to get it....we had vendor passes. Also decided were good for another 5 years for a next visit. I suspect the kid will be back next year has his kids are reaching driving age and are showing interest in all things 4 wheeled.

[mscafide]

The Multipla was a surprise and the BJ site had the sold price at $44k, that must be with buyer fees. Very nice car!

The 500 sold for what is a normal price for a good one. 1964 and earlier have suicide doors and are getting $25 - $30k on the street.

[SunnySideUp]

I went up on Sunday with a neighbor. The Barrett-Jackson event seemed like a county fair combined with a livestock auction. I watched a few cars cross the block, including the Multipla. There was definitely a lot to look at - overwhelming at times. Ford's display of the Mustang on its side was interesting. It made me really appreciate the simplicity of our Spiders. I overheard some people saying that Mike Brewer and Edd China (Wheeler Dealers) and Wayne Carini (Chasing Classic Cars) were at the auction earlier in the week. Kind of wish I went up earlier as it would have been neat to meet Mike and Edd. Walking around the cars in the "sold" tents was like going to a huge Cars & Coffee event.

I'm with you azruss - 5 years. If I go to the auctions in the next year or two I'll probably skip BJ altogether and check out the Bonhams and RM events instead. It was the 2013 Bonham's auction in Scottsdale where a '69 Spider sold for $48K.

[bradartigue]

I figure the live auction exists just to record as much footage as possible, then clip it for the TV version. From this I surmise that less than 10% of the live auction makes it to the show. Which means the auction itself must be damned boring because the show certainly is.

Then again they sold a Multipla for more than the $8.95 I figured those ass ugly things are worth. Just because something is old and ridiculous it shouldn't be considered a classic...

[garion]

I skipped it this year, I just had to many other things to do... Its starting to get too big for itself.. I may start going to some of the other auctions... BJ seems to be mainly Vettes, Mustangs, Camaros and other American classic muscle cars.. You figure there must be at least 50 each of the popular muscle cars.. You get kind of worn out after so many mustangs..

The funniest thing I heard (last year) was some 8 year old saying something along the lines of "Thats the 8th Lamborgini I've seen...".. I guess he wanted more Corvettes.

[Jimb]

I went to the BJ auction in West Palm Beach Florida a couple of years ago and wish like hell I had a bidder's paddel. There were lots of good buys if you knew your stuff. I loved the atmosphere. My wife even got into it.
However, at the time the collector car market was still reeling, but judging by the prices now its recovered and then some.
Jim

[johndemar]

Not sure there are any bargains to be found at Barrett Jackson, but it is an interesting way to spend a day.
I came up with a couple of free passes so my son and I went.
Scary moment when I began to be attracted to the mid 50's Cadillacs and Buicks.
And realized there was no way I would ever fit into the 68 Granatelli Turbine Indy car. Well I may have fit but would need a hoist to get out.

[124JOE]

67 500 went for $17,600


holy crap WOW I just bought a 1960 500 last year
it needs soooo much work and parts

but 17.600 I hope I do a great job with it!!!!!

[mscafide]

67 500 went for $17,600


holy crap WOW I just bought a 1960 500 last year
it needs soooo much work and parts

but 17.600 I hope I do a great job with it!!!!!

Pictures please. I would be worth more than $17,600 if you are working with a rust free car and it is perfect with no mods.
I looked for a long time for the right one and I was willing to pay the price.

[2ndwind]

Brad,
I couldn't agree more. The FIAT Multipla of any year are stupid ugly. There have certainly been a number of ugly cars produced over the 100-yrs+ of auto designing. What amazes me are the ugly car designs that were built (and sold!) year after year. The Citroen 2cv is probably the ugliest popular car I've ever seen. Surprisingly, Citroen couldn't let go of the ugly design culture when they debuted the vomit-rocket Citroen DS in 1955. I know, I know, the 2cv was an inexpensive efficient little farmer's car and the DS had all kinds of advanced engineering and features for the day-but still!

[124JOE]

ITS very hard to find one let alone rust free up here
sorry mine is rusty.the floors were gone 20 yrs ago
and someone pop riveted in galvanized floors
that I want to fix.the motor is in a box in pieces
and breaks were froze

yes I have a lot of work ahead.joe

im in need of a repair manual
and panel diagram to see what I need

ps where do you get your parts?

[KevAndAndi]

The vintage Multiplas look like an automobile equivalent of Wally Cox, or perhaps Don Knotts (I'm showing my age). The modern ones look like a giant blew on the exhaust pipe and expanded the glass and roof like a balloon.

As far as American muscle cars are concerned, I guess I don't have the gene. An old Fiat, Audi, Alfa, MG, Lancia, or BMW piques my interest. A Camaro, Corvette, or Charger: Meh.

Just in the past few weeks, I have become a huge fan of Wheeler Dealers and particularly Edd (though the man-of-few-words Paul, as technical consultant, may actually be the offscreen brains of the outfit). There is only so much one can learn from reading, so Edd's segments of WD have become an invaluable instructional resource for me, having come to the auto restoration/repair/maintenance game late in life. Every time he does a job I have on my to-do list, I do a lot of watching and rewinding.

[mscafide]

ITS very hard to find one let alone rust free up here
sorry mine is rusty.the floors were gone 20 yrs ago
and someone pop riveted in galvanized floors
that I want to fix.the motor is in a box in pieces
and breaks were froze

yes I have a lot of work ahead.joe

im in need of a repair manual
and panel diagram to see what I need

ps where do you get your parts?

I get most of my parts for the 500 at Mrfiat.

http://mrfiat.com/italian/fiat/fiat-500.html

My car was in New Jersey on ebay. A friend looked at it for me and I made sure I won the auction and shipped it to South Florida.

[124JOE]

a big thank you.
I did a search on goggle and only found Europe dealers