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Mecum / Barrett Jackson Auto Auction (1 Viewer)

Doesn't  a typical Barrett auction weekend work like Thursday they bring in parts and non-running type cars, Friday is drivers and street type nice cars, Saturday is more upper end but still not museum quality and Sunday is high end, one of x amount of vehicles ever made, type cars

I know I have always wanted to go on a Friday and see what they have. 
BJ doesn't do any non running type cars. Everything works. And the vast majority work very well. Thursday is the low end stuff with a few gems mixed in to keep people interested. Friday the cars move up to more gems. Super Saturday is all the uber high end stuff. Sometimes called Six Figure Saturday. Sunday is more like Friday. Better rides, no low end stuff, but not all the super cars and stuff only for collectors. 

 
When you see the cheap bidding value/number it's not being sold unless the owner takes his reserve amount off. That is why some cars get a hot bid war going because the reserve is low or off and there is a realistic chance of buying. If the reserve is high some people start a bid process and if it gets close the owner will drop the reserve. Otherwise the auction on the car remains open until reserve is hit or owner removes car.

 
Yeah, it looks cool, but that 340 ci motor with maybe 330 HP in a 3200-pound car would feel about like driving a Camry. And the Camry would handle and stop way better. 
That's going to generally be true with any of the 60s and 70s era muscle cars.  Technology has come a long way in 50 years.

 
Holy crap.  That was incredible.

Just went.  Didn't get to see an auction day, but it's the first day which seemed to be just for looking at cars.  And jesus, were there cars.  My feet hurt from walking so far.  We walked for hours.  I saw so many cool cars, I'm numb to it now -- no car could impress me at this point.  

The place was enormous.  Gigantic indoor space with cool cars as far as the eye could see, and then I learned there was an OUTSIDE.  Something like 5 or 6 massive tents with rows and rows of more cool cars. I can't fathom how there's enough time to auction these all off in one week.

I must have seen hundreds of awesome muscle cars from the '70s.  Vettes, Mustangs, Camaros ,Chevelles, Challengers, Firebirds, Smokey Bandit Trans Ams.  The Judge.  I saw "the" Eleanor, the car that was actually in the movie.  Ferraris, Lambos, all other exotic cars you could name.  Some outrageously cool restored and restomodded Broncos, Scouts, Blazers.  The list just goes on and on and on.  

Was also just really nice to grab a beer and walk around, have a hot dog, and people watch.  Turns out the crowd this draws is... um... interesting, but I'm also reminded there are super hot chicks in Arizona. :stalker:  

Overall a very cool event.  I can't say I'm going to bid on anything, but one day when I have some cash splashing around, I may do it.  I did, however, take a card for a 1970 Challenger 440 in Plum Crazy... it'll be auctioned off on Friday, Lot 1010.... :unsure:

 
I go to Barrett in Scottsdale every year. Otis,s description above is spot on. Opening night gala party is always fun and brings lots of beautiful women.

 
Be sure to give a report! 
Just saw Otis post on BarrettJackson. Got to say that Saturday at Mecum Kissimmee was incredible too! Long post!

Made the 3-hour drive up from Miami, and arrived at 10am. Parking was easy ($10), and we got shuttled over in a Mercedes sprinter.

Because I was going the second weekend, I was concerned that I would not see all the cars from the 10 days before. I was worried buyers would take home their cars, and owners who didn't sell would do the same. As soon as we were on property, I realized that was not the case. There were cars everywhere. Overwhelming to say the least. I knew there's no way I would see them all. First lot we walked on, we saw Camaros, Ferraris, 'Cudas, Lincoln Continentals, even a wagon that looked a lot like the Griswold's family truckster (it did not sell; high bid $27K).

The next thing we saw was that Dodge Thrill ride. Insane. Check out Youtube. I'm kinda surprised they are permitted and insured to do that in such a small area. Let me repeat: insane.

We then went into the arena to watch the auction for about an hour. It's exactly as you see on television. Seeing the auctioneers do their thing is cool. Really talented guys.

We then went outside and started touring. There are about 8 giant tents in total. Basically, there's a tent for every day (Thursday lot tent, Friday lot tent and so forth). The Saturday tent was busy as the cars were shuttling off to the holding concourse, which is where they park before heading in to cross the block.

That area is really cool, because anyone can get up close with the cars right before they go in. We picked a good day, because the La Ferraris were there, the McMullen Hot Rod, some sick AMGs, the Buddy Parson Winston Cup winning car, the Petty Collection, and more. Speaking of Petty, when we were walking to the arena the first time, we saw a small line, and looked up, and it was the King himself signing autographs and taking pictures. Never really been a Petty fan, but we waited, and he was real cool to meet.

We then had lunch. There were a couple food courts. It's was kind of fair-style fare, but a little higher end, considering the crowd has the expendable income to spend $50K on a car they wont't drive. Andrew Zimmern was hosting in the food area for a couple hours, although we did not see him.

After eating and touring most of the tents, we went back in to the auction. We watched the Petty and Fux collections go across the block. Saw the Hulkster. We left at about 3pm after the La Ferraris crossed the block. We wanted to stay to see the GT500 cross, but also wanted to get home for the KC game.

I'm still undecided what I'd like to buy, but the auction did help frame my thoughts. There were so many Corvettes and Camaros that they were kind of ubiquitous. I found myself drawn to the Mopars and Mustangs.

That's what was great about the whole day. You get to be around so many cool cars without anyone hassling you. Also, because the cars are always shuttling back and forth, you never know what you will see just driving by. It's kind of surreal.

Makes Mecum totally worth it, even if you are not really into cars.

 
Kissimmee & Scottsdale are two of the bigger ones (Kissimmee being one of, if not the largest in North America IIRC), I am envious y'all got to go to those. A bucket list item when I get older is to go to a SoCal or Florida auction, the amount and the variety of cars should be pretty overwhelming.

 
Great to know these are such fun events for those that attended!

Love watching the Mecum and Barrett-Jackson shows on TV -- some very cool cars (especially if you are into Mopar) and some great detail and info and enthusiasm from the hosts.

Aside from the entertainment value and seeing some great cars, I can't see the value of bidding on a car in that environment. Seems like these shows only serve to jack up the price of classic cars (originals and especially on restorations and other kinds of non-original part rebuilds) -- I guess it's good for owners/sellers as I imagine it's served to lift prices across the board ("But a car very similar to thie just sold for $X-umpteen dollars on Mecum!"), but overall my opinion is that these shows only serve to vastly inflate the value of classic cars that otherwise could have gone more reasonably in other venues.

 
Was also just really nice to grab a beer and walk around, have a hot dog, and people watch.  Turns out the crowd this draws is... um... interesting, but I'm also reminded there are super hot chicks in Arizona. :stalker:  

Overall a very cool event.  I can't say I'm going to bid on anything, but one day when I have some cash splashing around, I may do it.  I did, however, take a card for a 1970 Challenger 440 in Plum Crazy... it'll be auctioned off on Friday, Lot 1010.... :unsure:
In my experience, any car show has interesting people that come out of the woodwork.  Kinda like going to Walmart.... you never see these types anywhere else.

If you are serious about buying a '70 Challenger, let me know if you have questions or if you want to bounce cars off of me.  I'm pretty knowledgeable about the 70's Chrysler E-bodies having restored 3 of them, including a '70 FC7 (Plum Crazy) Challenger R/T.  I own a '70 'Cuda which is basically the same car even though they share almost no exterior parts.

 
Barrett Jackson Scottsdale starts tonight on Motor Trend channel.

Again, I know very little about cars and could not restore a car but by looks only, I think there are some screaming deals going down tonight. Beautiful rides going for under 25k some under 15k.

 
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Just saw Otis post on BarrettJackson. Got to say that Saturday at Mecum Kissimmee was incredible too! Long post!

Made the 3-hour drive up from Miami, and arrived at 10am. Parking was easy ($10), and we got shuttled over in a Mercedes sprinter.

Because I was going the second weekend, I was concerned that I would not see all the cars from the 10 days before. I was worried buyers would take home their cars, and owners who didn't sell would do the same. As soon as we were on property, I realized that was not the case. There were cars everywhere. Overwhelming to say the least. I knew there's no way I would see them all. First lot we walked on, we saw Camaros, Ferraris, 'Cudas, Lincoln Continentals, even a wagon that looked a lot like the Griswold's family truckster (it did not sell; high bid $27K).

The next thing we saw was that Dodge Thrill ride. Insane. Check out Youtube. I'm kinda surprised they are permitted and insured to do that in such a small area. Let me repeat: insane.

We then went into the arena to watch the auction for about an hour. It's exactly as you see on television. Seeing the auctioneers do their thing is cool. Really talented guys.

We then went outside and started touring. There are about 8 giant tents in total. Basically, there's a tent for every day (Thursday lot tent, Friday lot tent and so forth). The Saturday tent was busy as the cars were shuttling off to the holding concourse, which is where they park before heading in to cross the block.

That area is really cool, because anyone can get up close with the cars right before they go in. We picked a good day, because the La Ferraris were there, the McMullen Hot Rod, some sick AMGs, the Buddy Parson Winston Cup winning car, the Petty Collection, and more. Speaking of Petty, when we were walking to the arena the first time, we saw a small line, and looked up, and it was the King himself signing autographs and taking pictures. Never really been a Petty fan, but we waited, and he was real cool to meet.

We then had lunch. There were a couple food courts. It's was kind of fair-style fare, but a little higher end, considering the crowd has the expendable income to spend $50K on a car they wont't drive. Andrew Zimmern was hosting in the food area for a couple hours, although we did not see him.

After eating and touring most of the tents, we went back in to the auction. We watched the Petty and Fux collections go across the block. Saw the Hulkster. We left at about 3pm after the La Ferraris crossed the block. We wanted to stay to see the GT500 cross, but also wanted to get home for the KC game.

I'm still undecided what I'd like to buy, but the auction did help frame my thoughts. There were so many Corvettes and Camaros that they were kind of ubiquitous. I found myself drawn to the Mopars and Mustangs.

That's what was great about the whole day. You get to be around so many cool cars without anyone hassling you. Also, because the cars are always shuttling back and forth, you never know what you will see just driving by. It's kind of surreal.

Makes Mecum totally worth it, even if you are not really into cars.
Where in Kissimmee d they do this?  Is it once a year?

 
Not sure if anyone has been or is interested.  A buddy is in Scottsdale for it right now and I have been watching off-and-on today.  A few minute ago there was a 1987 Buick Grand National (with 33 miles) go for $550,000.  :shock:    Earlier today I saw a modernized 1972 Bronco go for $430K.

Pretty interesting stuff.

ETA:  I have been watching online at barrett-jackson.com, but I think it might be on the History channel now also.

 
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Not sure if anyone has been or is interested.  A buddy is in Scottsdale for it right now and I have been watching off-and-on today.  A few minute ago there was a 1987 Buick Grand National (with 33 miles) go for $550,000.  :shock:    Earlier today I saw a modernized 1972 Bronco go for $430K.

Pretty interesting stuff.

ETA:  I have been watching online at barrett-jackson.com, but I think it might be on the History channel now also.


There is some bias to American cars.  You see some epic Porsche deals not meet reserve and some trash Camaro does 250k

 
There is some bias to American cars.  You see some epic Porsche deals not meet reserve and some trash Camaro does 250k
Kind of noticed that.  I think it's really about the current sweet spot for collectors and  the particular year/make/model and what is "hot".  The old Broncos, Blazers, and pickups are very popular right now.

 
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There is some bias to American cars.  You see some epic Porsche deals not meet reserve and some trash Camaro does 250k
A 2004 Porsche Carrera GT just flew past $1.5 million in about 30 seconds.  Sold for $1.8.  Nice to see as a Porsche fan.  :)  

 
Pretty much the only thing I know about them is this. My company does a lot of work with the Gary Sinise Foundation, from donating equipment for the homes they build to volunteering for events. This was one of the coolest things we’ve done together. Was a great night for the foundation.

 
Car prices are nuts right now.  I heard about someone paying 100k over sticker for a Mercedes S-class.  I ordered a car 18 months ago that is going for ~250k over sticker--it arrives next month.  

 
Mecum and BJ seem like a lot of fun. If you are serious about buying or selling, I'd recommend www.bringatrailer.com before going the TV auction route path. The presentation bar for the auctions is crazy high, and the discussion among the bidders, seller, and hobbyists is extreme added value, never mind entertaining too.

Bought a 65 Impala on there several years ago. Still have it. Convertible 4 speed with AC. 

 
I post on a boating forum as well where many of the posters are into car collecting.

The bringatrailer site that deadhead mentioned is what they use.

I was looking for a specific year and color of mgb to buy my dad for his birthday, but I have given up.

 

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