Thursday January 19, 2012
1960 marked the turn of an era of automobile styling in the United States. No longer would the massive amounts of chrome be so prevalent than in the late 50s on the exterior of the car; they would be toned down and never again seen.
At the Scottsdale auctions we found many wonderful examples of the finned cars of the 50s, and one example of an affordable and maintainable car that we thought would excite our readers and yet be reachable for the hobbyist with a limited budget.
We found such a great example at the 2012 Barrett Jackson auction, a 1960 Impala 2 Door Hardtop sporting a correct Tuxedo Black exterior paint with radiant red and white hounds-tooth interior, and in some heated bidding sold for just under $30,000. This seemed to us to be a very good purchase for this solid and well prepared true American car. Since leaving the St. Louis, MO assembly plant, this sport coupe was originally fitted with a 4-speed manual transmission and a 348cid V8. The engine was later replaced with a 427cid big block to make the performance a little more exciting. Visually and performance wise we feel that this car deserves attention and is a really practical lower to mid-range entry point into the hobby.
It's important to note that the 50s tail fins were the creation of Harley Earl the GM designer who is well recognized for employing women in his design teams. The success of his innovative tail fin design swept through the entire nation of car buyers during the 1950s. Fins were an extravagant expression, indeed they were splendidly outrageous, impractical and most people lusted after them!
Today it is remarkable that you can satisfy the lust by buying into a fully restored Chevy Impala for the same price as a Nissan Maxima!
Wednesday January 18, 2012
Tuesday, January 17th was the first of day out of six that the cars at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale 2012 began crossing the block. Historically, day one has a greater variety of affordable classic and this year was no different and we do think that it also had a higher attendance of buyers looking for that bargain than we've seen in the past.
Out of the 156 cars on 01/17, most sold for $25,000 and under...few got past the $50,000 mark. And the great bargains in our opinion include:
As the Barrett-Jackson Auction proceeds, the cars that come up on the block tend to be higher in value with the star cars making their appearance on Friday and Saturday night between 5:00pm and 8:00pm. But you can still affordable cars in the early and late night line up on all six days of Barrett-Jackson 2012 event.
For more information visit www.barrett-jackson.com.
Suggested Reading:
Craig Jackson on Buying and Selling Collector Cars
Tuesday January 17, 2012
For 41 years, Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction has continued to grow a venue for enthusiasts to buy and sell cars in an atmosphere of excitement for young and old. But it has also served as one of the automotive industry's charitable-giving powerhouses, raising more than $40 million for worthy causes, $35 million of that total has been raised just within the last five years.
This year is no exception. Barrett-Jackson will help more than 20 local and national charities raise money for worthy causes during its auction, Jan. 15-22, at WestWorld of Scottsdale. Top collectible cars like a 1993 Chevrolet Corvette 40th Anniversary coupe, as well as a motorcycle and a tractor will cross the block for charity at No Reserve during the automotive lifestyle event.
Proceeds for the Corvette will go to the Barrett-Jackson Cancer Research Fund at TGen, in Memory of Russ and Brian Jackson. The fund is a salute to auction Chairman and CEO Craig Jackson's father, Russ, and brother, Brian, whose lives were cut short by colon cancer.
Photo © Barrett-Jackson
Suggested Reading: 2012 Scottsdale Arizona Classic Car Event Schedule
Thursday January 12, 2012
Featuring the most powerful rated engine to date when it was built, the 1970 Chevelle LS6 was born of a higher breed. The product of an era of car building in which Chevrolet was determined to join the ranks of top muscle cars in the industry. The Chevelle LS6 surpassed the competition to become one of the most popular cars of the muscle car era. Due to its affordability, popularity and versatility on the street as well as a race car, the Chevelle SS remains to this day one of the most popular muscle cars around. The fact that only 4,475 RPO LS6 options were built for any of the body styles offered, makes a 1970 Chevelle LS6's a must-see on any muscle car enthusiast's list.
Russo and Steele is offering a unique opportunity to view, and of course, buy three of these exceedingly rare Chevelle LS6 automobiles as they cross the auction block at their Scottsdale January 18th-22nd, 2012. The trifecta being offered are the last known LS6 to exist, the 1970 Chevelle SS 454 LS6, a 1970 Chevelle SS 454 LS6 that is the earliest built for the U.S. market known and publicly documented, and a rare 1970 Chevelle SS 454 LS6 with performance modifications.
For more information on the Chevelles and all the cars crossing the block at Russo and Steele's 4 day sale visit www.russoandsteele.com.
Photo - Russo and Steele
