Barrett Jackson 2006 — Want To Buy A Bus?
Incredible. The one word summary that just about covers it all. From the expanded tent, to the enlarged wallets of the bidders, it was a spectacle, a one ring circus under the biggest big top in the world.
You can find all the statistics in other places, (watch for my work, as well as many of my friends and colleagues work, in a future issue of Sports Car Market Magazine, www.sportscarmarket.com ) but suffice it to say, no one who went will forget the experience anytime soon.
Is this a good thing?
Has our car hobby grown too big? Is bigger better? These are all legitimate questions to ask about classic, antique and special interest cars.
Unlike some, I don’t agree with those who say Barrett Jackson or others are destroying the hobby by bringing commerce to a forefront. It is we, as buyers and sellers of cars that have brought this on.
I have seen many changes in the collector car world. I became aware of antique cars when I was just a kid, and in those days it was all about Fords, as the Hershey, Pennsylvania based Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) meets would be armpit to armpit full of Model A’s and Model T’s.
The Carlisle events started because two men named Miller saw a need to address those “younger” collectors who wanted a place to show and swap cars, as sell as parts for “newer” cars – those built after 1946! The first Carlisle event was called “Post War 74”
I saw the shift to include European classics, and remember just a few years ago when pre war classics were the Big Dogs at every show and auction. Then came the time for the Ferraris, Maserati’s and Lamborghini’s.
Now it’s all about Muscle cars. Did anyone else notice the drop off in numbers and emphasis on Hot rods? Is this a trend or merely a one time happening? What is the next automotive trend? Should we care?
My Blog is a two way street, and I would like to hear from you. Post your thoughts and let’s get a discussion going.
Dave Kinney
January 29th, 2006 at 11:48 pm
Yes, I’ve seen the drop off on hot rods, but I am seeing more and more “Resto-mods.” Jay Leno’s Toronado is a good example. I think that some of those old second tier collectibles and the average muscle cars are going to be reborn with modern drive trains, custom interiors and mile deep paint jobs. Look for them at an Auction near you.
January 31st, 2006 at 10:47 pm
Dave:
I enjoyed your B-J insights. I agree that B-J and the like are not ruining the car hobby. Instead they are finding and attacting cars that would not be readily available for all (at least Speed viewers) to see, experience and potentially own. I also believe that B-J has raised the standards of restoration. They let the world know what a real #1 condition car looks like.
The market speaks for itself. Barrett-Jackson merely reflects the market, albeit at the very high end.
April 13th, 2006 at 12:11 pm
Hi Dave,
I’d like to respond to your point (question) regarding Hot Rods. I don’t think that interest or prices in quality Hot Rods is dropping or falling off in any way.
This is one element of BJ’s that Craig has a great degree of control over. No one can argue the gift Mr. Jackson has regarding what’s “hot” in the market and what his potential bidders are looking for in any given year. But on the same token, the influence he has over which cars he accepts (especially during the Fri. evening, Sat. slots) can distort the Market picture painted during this one, sensory overload week in Scottsdale. In the past couple years He has really put an emphasis on assembling high numbers of 60’s muscle cars. Not just too many years back it was the other way around. Yes we have always looked to BJ’s as an indicator of the Market and the year ahead. But to a high degree the influence Craig and his company exert has a tendency to push others in the same direction.
Regardless of how crazy I may be to own that 63′ Corvette or 65′ Shelby I always wanted while in high school, in my opinion the Troy Trepanier, Pete Chapouris, Dave Lane restored hot rods will always command a premium in the collector car world and will continue to appreciate long after the muscle car bubble has popped.