The 2010 automobile concours season is upon us. The first significant concours of the year is the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, which will be held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Amelia Island (just north of Jacksonville) this weekend—March 12-14. This event is popular because of the great cars on display plus the fact that it’s held at a time when many car enthusiasts (particularly those in the northern climates) are feeling the winter blues. The Amelia Island show attracts great antique and classic automobiles as well as vintage racing cars and some occasional unusual vehicles. In addition to the car show the weekend also features two automobile auctions run by two of the biggest automobile auction companies, RM and Gooding & Company. It’ll be interesting to see how these two companies do. The results could be a barometer of the state of the collector car hobby. I’ve noticed that many of the same high-end collector cars that appear at the Amelia Island concours (and Pebble Beach) often show up at the annual Glenmoor Gathering, held at Glenmoor Country Club in September, which proves, I guess, that you don’t have to travel 1,200 miles to see great, rare cars—although the warm weather and sunshine sure is a bonus.
“They just don’t make ‘em like they used to.” No one can deny that. I have no expectation of my 2006 Saturn Vue outlasting my friends 1931 Lincoln, let alone being a collector vehicle or worth restoration. I truly don’t expect it to last the 25 years to be called a “classic” (but that’s a completely different blog!).
That being said, there’s also nothing quite like a brand new car. The unblemished paint, uncrushed carpet, spotless interior and, of course, learning all the new gadgets. As part of my automobile education, I took my first trip to the Cleveland Auto Show this week. It was interesting to see what the manufacturers are coming up with to draw attention to their cars. Being able to sit in all the cars gave me insight on what I really like.
I had been eyeing the ads for the new Lincoln MKZ and was disappointed to find nothing about the car wowed me as I expected and sitting in the driver’s seat just didn’t feel right. Ladies, you know what I’m talking about. There are features you look for in a car but if it doesn’t feel right when you sit in the driver’s seat all the bells and whistles will not make up for that. Several years ago when Ford came out with the retro look Mustang I was sure I wanted one. I took one for a test drive only to discover nothing was in my reach. Of course, I had to check out the beautiful Shelbys at the IX Center, but alas, the chemistry didn’t happen.
All in all, it was a nice show. Having never been there before I don’t have a perspective on “the good old days”. Help me out…have you made the trip? How does this year compare? Was there anything you had to have?
The media has been deluging us over the past couple weeks with news of various Toyota recalls and the shutdown of manufacturing and sales due to known defects. This type of action is without precedent but the fact that it is happening to Toyota, long regarded as the quality leader in mass production automobiles, is nothing short of astonishing.
Other manufacturers have been quick to jump in and try to steal sales while Toyota dealers have taken extraordinary measures in an attempt to maintain their customer base. Many have opened their service departments twenty four hours a day to address recall repairs and many are offering full meal service all day long to service clients.
With all of this going on, I'd like to hear your Toyota story, whether it involves a recalled car or not. I must admit, I've only owned one Toyota in my life and it was just an entry level model my wife and I purchased when we were first married. From an ownership standpoint, it was one of the most reliable and cost efficient cars I have ever owned. When I totaled it (my fault) at 184,000 miles, it also proved to be a very safe vehicle. What's your Toyota story?
One of the best ways for car buffs to get through another brutal northeast Ohio winter is to visit the annual Cleveland Auto Show. This year’s show will be held for eight days—February 27 through March 7 at the I-X Center. In addition to the true stars of the show—the 2010 automobiles, trucks and motorcycles—the 2010 auto show will feature several “theme nights,” including NASCAR night and Ohio State University night. The league-leading Cleveland Cavaliers will have a major presence throughout the show; several players and Coach Mike Brown will make appearances. The Cleveland Institute of Art will hold its 8th annual Automotive Design Symposium (on Friday, March 5). The 18th annual Automotive Technology Competition will also be held. More than 40 manufacturers will be displaying automobiles—both domestic and imports—as well as concept cars, converters, motorcycles, RV’s, alternative fuel vehicles and a special display of “classic cars.” The Cleveland Auto Show claims “the most interactive auto show in the U. S.” with indoor and outdoor ride and drive exhibits. Adult admission is $12, seniors and pre-teens are $10 and kids six and under are free. $2 off coupons are available from more than 250 northeast Ohio automobile dealerships, although supplies are limited. If you want to get an early look at the show, support Cleveland area charities and mingle with the swells you can attend the special VIP “Night of Lights” gala preview on Friday evening, February 26. For more details visit the auto show web site at: www.ClevelandAutoShow.com
Northeast Ohio has many outstanding figures in the collector car hobby. By that, I mean not only car collectors but those special individuals who assist with the restoration of the cars. The list includes body men, mechanics and trimmers (or upholsterers), as they’re also known). One of those trimmers, as he preferred to be known. was Jim Roll, who operated Tailored Trim Service in New Philadelphia, Ohio. He died February 6 at the age of 72. Jim was nationally known for the quality of his work. Automobiles for which he produced beautiful interiors received numerous awards at automobile concours events throughout the United States, including Pebble Beach, Amelia Island and the Glenmoor Gathering. One of the awards presented at the annual Gathering is named for him—the James E. Roll Award for Best Interior. The award was established in 2007 by several of Jim’s friends and was first presented that year. Jim made the selection each year and personally presented the award to the happy car owner. Jim’s passing is a sad reminder that we are slowly losing the craftsmen who we have depended on to maintain and restore our collector vehicles.
It has taken me almost two weeks, but I have finally recovered enough from Scottsdale auction fever to write a semi-coherent blog post. It sure was a whirlwind of activity; there are things going on from early in the morning 'til midnight just about everyday. Although it's not for everyone, if you're a real car enthusiast, you should make the trek at least once in your life. That January week in Arizona simultaneously embodies all that's great and all that's wrong with the collector car world. Great cars, great people, unmatched greed and pervasive element of deceit; how can you resist?
Barrett-Jackson: The former eight hundred pound gorilla has become an absolute parody of itself. Lots of cars that nobody really cares about (even the hardcore Camaro guys complain about how many show up) and an atmosphere which can only be described as "second-rate circus meets third-rate flea market". Better watched from home and, even then, limit your viewing time for risk of numbing your mind.
RM: The people who brought class to the Scottsdale auction scene did their typical fine job at the finest facility of any auction in the country, the Arizona Biltmore. I felt the overall quality of the cars was down a bit this year but they still had a successful sale totaling nearly $20 million.
Gooding and Company: Relative newcomers to the Arizona auction arena, they absolutely stole the show this year. The cars were outstanding across the board and they recorded four of the top five highest individual sales of the entire week. The location at Fashion Square was convenient and, even though it was in a tent, all arrangements were first class.
Silver: The good people at Silver never disappoint in providing a solid array of good cars for the entry level collector. Don't look for Duesenberg and Bugattis here, but there are great deals to be had on very cool and accessible cars like Cosworth Vegas and Studebaker Hawks.
Russo and Steele: By now, everyone has seen the tragic photos of the damage caused at this auction by the severe weather on Thursday. The county sheriff commandeered the site and didn't allow organizers and car owners on property until Saturday. Kudos to Russo and Steele owner Drew Alcazar for the open and forthright way he managed this natural disaster but, unfortunately, many of the auction cars were damaged to the point where they could not be sold. An abbreviated event started on Sunday, but many of the star cars and bidders were absent.
Kruse: This pioneering auction company's troubles continued with a minor sale outside of the general Scottsdale area and a different week. Let's hope Dean Kruse can resurrect his company once again.
I can't end this post without mentioning my favorite event of the whole weekend. The giant cruise-in at the Pavillions shopping center is in its twentieth year and draws an amazing number and variety of vehicles. Whether you're looking for Classics, European sports cars, customs, rods, etc. you're sure to find things you'll like among the two thousand or so cars that show up. Although the signs say that for sale signs aren't allowed, just about everything is for sale and the owners are there to tell you about their cars. In addition to the great variety of cars at this event, it also is a venue for world-class people watching!
Last week I asked a fellow collector is he was attending the Arizona car auctions. He said that, instead, he was staying home and watching wrestling on TV. Many collectors must wonder if the only way to buy or sell a collector car any more is at an auction. There are so many auctions now it’s hard to believe that there are actually that many collector cars available. In fact, some of these cars seem to be perpetually for sale; they appear in one auction after another. Nowhere is all of this more apparent than in Arizona in January, where all of the major car auction companies are now conducting auctions. Thousands of people head to Arizona to take in one or more auctions—Barrett-Jackson, RM, Gooding, Russo & Steele and Kruse. (I may have missed someone.)
Although there are some great cars in these auctions there are also a plenty of cars to avoid. If ever the Latin phrase “Caveat Emptor” applied, this is it! When considering a car at auction it’s absolutely imperative that you do your homework—or as some folks like to say your “due diligence.” I have first-hand experience as both a buyer and seller at high-end auctions. Learn everything you can about the car prior to the sale. If you have any doubts about certain aspects of a car, bid accordingly—or don’t bid at all. I once bought a car that had been judged nearly perfect by a national car club—only to discover that everything that had been done to the drive train, including the motor, was cosmetic. It was a tired car that needed major mechanical attention. Had I made a couple of strategic phone calls prior to the sale I would have learned more about the quality of restoration on that car. I learned my lesson. (In fact, the best auction houses will tell you the same thing—do your homework.) If you enjoy the auction scene, have fun—but proceed cautiously.
It's that time of year when throngs of enthusiasts and their letters of credit flock to Scottsdale for the bevy of collector car auctions happening this week. Barrett-Jackson is the most highly publicized with about a zillion hours of coverage on the Speed cable network but there are actually several other auctions being held around Scottsdale at the same time. RM is a mainstay at the Arizona Biltmore with a fantastic array of large American Classics and historic European sporting vehicles. Gooding moved in last year and has already come close to trumping RM at their own game. The three ring circus and flash of Russo and Steele is something to behold while the entry level collectables at the Silver Auction at Fort McDowell are accessible to just about anyone. And, despite everyone's predictions over the past few months, Dean Kruse has figured out a way to do an auction in Arizona this year also.
If you're a car guy*, Scottsdale in January is a rite of passage; something you should do at least once in your life. Watching it on television is fun, but there's nothing like being there. I've convinced my wife to go with me this year and I can't wait to hear what she thinks about the events. Anyone care to share their thoughts and predictions about the collector car auction scene, especially in today's economy?
First, a disclaimer…I am only a pseudo “car guy”*. My everyday driver is a Saturn Vue, I do not own a classic, and I can’t tell you what year ANY car is by looking at the headlights, taillights, windshield or fenders. But, while my knowledge is limited my appreciation is great.
In my younger days my interest in the “classics” was limited to Mustangs. I’ll admit these are still near and dear to my heart but over the last few years, thanks to some friends who knew it was time for my horizons to be expanded, I have been introduced to some of the most beautiful automobiles ever produced. I am star struck traveling to the wonderful car shows that are held every summer in northeast Ohio. Someday I will make my way to Amelia and Meadow Brook but with Stan Hywet and the Glenmoor Gathering so close to home I’m in no hurry. These events draw spectacular cars from around the country and I am always amazed at how many find their way home to garages in our area. My automotive education is far from complete but I am thoroughly enjoying the journey.
Are you a casual observer, an eager student or a true car guy*?
The all important December car sales numbers are in and Ford is the big winner. Unit sales increased more than 30% over December, 2008. All in all, this capped off a banner year for Ford sales relative to the rest of the industry. Toyota, Honda and Nissan all showed double digit increases over last December's sales but the other two major U.S. manufacturers registered sales declines. General Motors sales were down nearly 6% and Chrysler showed a 4% decrease.
As you may recall, Ford was the only major U.S. auto company to refuse the government's bailout money. They obviously had a plan and it's working. Unfortunately, we the people are effectively the proud owners of GM and Chrysler through the federal bailouts. Seeing as how these companies were in trouble to begin with and our government has never been known as a model of efficiency ($600 screwdrivers anyone?), I don't have a very optimistic outlook for these companies as quasi-government entities. What do you think about the future prospects for GM and Chrysler's?
This event is popular because of the great cars on display plus the fact that it’s held at a time when many car enthusiasts (particularly those in the northern climates) are feeling the winter blues. The Amelia Island show attracts great antique and classic automobiles as well as vintage racing cars and some occasional unusual vehicles. In addition to the car show the weekend also features two automobile auctions run by two of the biggest automobile auction companies, RM and Gooding & Company. It’ll be interesting to see how these two companies do. The results could be a barometer of the state of the collector car hobby. I’ve noticed that many of the same high-end collector cars that appear at the Amelia Island concours (and Pebble Beach) often show up at the annual Glenmoor Gathering, held at Glenmoor Country Club in September, which proves, I guess, that you don’t have to travel 1,200 miles to see great, rare cars—although the warm weather and sunshine sure is a bonus.
