I know I’ve posted about this before but, just as a reminder, Classic Motorcar Auctions’ spring auction is this Saturday at the John S. Knight Center in downtown Akron. I just looked at the updated consignment list and it’s pretty interesting. Some great pre-war Classics will definitely entice the seasoned collector. What I found most interesting is the number of entry level collector cars which can be bought for a reasonable price and enjoyed immediately. There are also some very cool memorabilia items which will be sold prior to the cars. If you’re a baby boomer from this area like I am, you will find the wonderful 8’ by 4’ Isaly’s sign hard to resist.

The best part of this auction is that registration for a bidder plus one guest is absolutely FREE if done on-line at www.classicmotorcarauctions.com  by Friday! This is a unique offer from CMA and another example of their great customer service. I hope to see you there.

Even though this has been a very mild winter by all accounts, it has been a long time since cruise-in and car show season. The Canton Hot Rod Show gives enthusiasts a little taste of what we’ve been missing these past several months.

 Held at the Canton Memorial Civic Center this weekend, Friday, February 17 through Sunday, February 19, over 130 customized show cars and 30 motorcycles will be displayed in the warmth and comfort of the arena. Several cars have been invited from out of the area as well as some of the nicer examples of local show cars. Though this segment of the hobby is not my absolute favorite, I make a point of attending and am always impressed  by the craftsmanship involved in building these cars.

 A special feature to this year’s event is the appearance on Saturday and Sunday by actor Tom Wopat, known by many as Luke Duke on the original “Dukes of Hazzard” television show. I’m sure he has some great stories of destroying some General Lee Dodge Chargers.

Since you’re reading a blog called Car Chase, I assume you know that I’m not asking about a place in California. Some of you may know that a Berkeley is an esoteric British sports car made in small numbers about fifty years ago. These cute, little three and four wheel convertibles were “powered” by two and three cylinder motorcycle engines. Due to their diminutive size and very light weight, they were very popular and reasonably successful in the early sports car racing scene. They still have a good following to this day, although collector values are still relatively low.

 The reason I bring all this up is that, as a former Berkeley owner, I occasionally do a Google search to see what’s happening with them. The other day, I found a blog which chronicled a complete, professional restoration of a lucky example. As I mentioned before, Berkeley values aren’t exactly at the top of the collector market so very few, if any, are professionally restored. What’s even more interesting is the shop which did this wonderful work is right here in Northeast Ohio. I checked out the website for Pete’s Custom Coachbuilding ( www.petescustomcoachbuilding.com ) and was amazed to see everything from micro cars to Indy racers to pre-war Packards in their portfolio.

After checking out some of the videos on their website, (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=HWfsHNernAA) I was heartened to see that Pete and his crew are a group of young guys practicing an old craft. Their approach to their work and passion for doing things right seem to bear fruit in excellent results. It’s great to have another excellent resource in our area for anyone considering a project with any type of collectable vehicle. I can’t wait to check out Pete’s operation personally. If you have experience with any other shops, feel free to comment below.

The story of Preston Tucker and his ill-fated car of the future was made famous by the 1988 Francis Ford Copolla film, “Tucker, the Man and His Dream”. The movie chronicled the venture to start a new car company in 1948 with a model that was well ahead in safety, design and engineering of what the mainstream auto manufacturers were producing. Some say that Tucker was nothing but a con artist and his company was just a sham to bilk investors. Others maintain that he was a genuine threat to GM and Ford and they used their influence with suppliers and the government to have his operation shut down. All in all, only fifty one total Tuckers were built.

 Up until the movie’s release, Tuckers were looked at as automotive oddities and, despite their rarity, traded in the $10-20,000 range. The film received great publicity and became very popular. As a result, Tucker values climbed steadily over the next couple years, finally eclipsing the $100,000 mark. Appreciation and desirability by collectors grew to the point where a Tucker finally reached the magical million dollar sales figure just about two years ago. A couple more sales in that range over the past two years validated their new value.

 Then, this past Saturday night, the stars aligned over Scottsdale and Barrett-Jackson sold an absolutely perfect, silver-blue Tucker for the astounding sum of nearly three million dollars! It was the most expensive car they sold of the 1300 or so that passed the block last week and it absolutely stole the show. No one saw it coming and now everyone is wondering if this is, all of the sudden, the new value of a Tucker.

 An interesting footnote to this story is that the Glenmoor Gathering will be featuring a Tucker class at this year’s event, which will be held September 14-16. In addition to the several original Tuckers which will be on the showfield, one of the original prop/stunt cars from the movie will also be displayed! This will be a once in a lifetime opportunity to see a group of these very special cars gathered together.

Yes, it’s January and that means the 2012 auction season officially begins with a bevy of auctions this week in Arizona.  The most famous—or, for some collectors, infamous—of the auctions is the Barrett-Jackson auction, which can also be viewed on the Speed channel.  Amazing as it may seem, a total of six auctions will be held!  In addition to the Barrett-Jackson sale, auctions will be held by Gooding & Company, RM Auctions, Russo & Steele, Silver Auctions and newcomer this year, Bonhams.  It’s estimated that approximately 2,100 vehicles will be offered by the six companies.  Looking through the lists of vehicles offered for sale, it’s safe to say that there is truly something for everyone. Five of the auctions will be held in Scottsdale.  One company will hold its auction elsewhere—Silver Auctions is held in Fort McDowell.  Most of the high dollar cars will appear at the RM, Gooding and Bonham’s sale, although several big Classics will be sold by Barrett-Jackson this year.  If you can’t make it Arizona (or, if you go to Arizona and have some money left over)  you can attend the Classic Motorcar auction on Saturday, March 31 at the John S. Knight Center in Akron.

I just received a notice announcing that Classic Motorcar Auctions will be returning to the John S. Knight Center on March 31 for another collector car auction. With the big auctions coming up in Scottsdale this week, it’s great that we’ll have a taste of that right here in town. CMA always has a wonderful variety of offerings at their auctions and the downtown Akron event always has cars for every taste and budget. Overall, it will be a great way to spend a March day and, hopefully, find your new cruiser the nice weather just around the corner!

Consignments seem to be coming in nicely. Go to www.classicmotorcarauctions.com to see the inventory thus far. The '57 Lincoln Premier has gotten my attention with those giant, lemon yellow tailfins. Which car will you be bidding on?

OK, it’s been awhile since I’ve posted to this blog, which is the basis for this post.  I have two major automotive resolutions for the upcoming year. First, I am committed to posting more regularly. Maybe not every day, but at least several times a week.

My second New Year’s resolution is to buy fewer “rescue cars”. I’m a sucker for a car that has an interesting story which, despite its former glory, would bury Warren Buffet in restoration costs. I have a garage full of these right now, and they really don’t need any more company. Time  to get some fixed, let some go  and  focus on buying better cars.

There, now you have my two resolutions. One is achievable, one is questionable but I’ll give them both a shot. What’s your car related New Year’s resolution?

Classic Motorcar Auctions will be back at the Glenmoor Gathering of Significant Automobiles with a terrific collector car auction on Saturday, September 17. If you've never personally attended a professional event such as this, you really owe it to yourself. This year's auction will have an amazing selection of wonderful collector cars from sporty early European imports to full Classics and just about everything in between. Approximately 120 cars will be on offer and the best news is that there will be cars for every budget from novice collector to seasoned connoisseur.

Now, for your challenge to win a pair of tickets to the auction. Go the auction company's website, www.classicmotorcarauctions.com and click on the tab for this year's event. The first three people to name three cars that will be auctioned (year, make and model) via email to glenmoorgathering@glenmoorcc.com will each win two tickets. Have fun and I hope to see you there!

One of the most popular things we do on Car Chase every year is offer a chance to win free tickets to the Glenmoor Gathering, coming up on Sunday, September 18. This year's event is shaping up to be the most spectacular ever, with cars from all around the United States, Canada and even Europe.

 Since one of the features this year is sixteen cylinder cars, I've got a little challenge for those of you who would like the tickets. The first three people to send an email to glenmoorgathering@glenmoorcc.com naming the two largest producers of sixteen cylinder cars in the United States will each receive a pair of tickets for the concours. Good luck!

The ever-popular "King of Kustomizers", George Barris will be back in the Akron/Canton for this year's Glenmoor Gathering on September 18. Mr. Barris and his brother Sam are widely recognized as the creators of some of the most important custom cars of all time, including the legendary Hirohata Mercury. George furthered his notoriety in the sixties and seventies as the premier builder of personal cars for Hollywood celebrities and supplier of many of the historic tv and movie cars such as the Batmobile, the Munster Koach, Knight Rider's K.I.T.T. and the General Lee from the Dukes of Hazzard.

 Today, George is still very active with his shop and showroom in North Hollywood, his tv show on the Speed Network called "Car Warriors" and as a frequent guest on other shows such as Adam Carolla's "Car Show" and "Car Crazy" with Barry Meguiar.

Despite his celebrity, George is very gracious with his time and will be available to share stories and sign autographs for all attendees of the Glenmoor Gathering of Significant Automobiles at Glenmoor Country Club on Sunday, September 18.