Saturday, January 17, 2009

2009 Barrett-Jackson Highlights on Friday


Friday was a special day at Barrett-Jackson for all of us in the Motor'n TV group. A special press conference featuring Darrell Gwynn and Bill Goldberg (host for the upcoming Bullrun TV show on speed) was one to remember. Darrell spoke about his charity and how the money from his foundation is used to give children from needy families the wheelchairs they desperately need for their spinal cord and other medical challenges. Darrell is one special person! Bill spoke of how a gentleman named Rick Bonner wanted to help Darrell's foundation and donated a 1970 Plymouth Satellite. Bill took the idea and ran with it - and tonight (Saturday) you will see lot #1289, a very special 1970 Superbird recreation! Check it out - a very special car for a very special Darrell Gwynn foundation! Bill Goldberg is to be congratulated for all his outstanding efforts on getting the car done and his passion to help Darrell!




Also, last night we were fortunate to be sitting in the right place at the right time. A wonderful couple from Medford, Oregon, Mr. & Mrs. Lloyd Miles sat right in front of us at the auction. I could tell they were interested in Lot #984 - a very special 1957 Chevy, in fact it was the first 1957 Chevy built! We saw him signal to Angelo, one of the Barrett-Jackson ringman or spotters. Angelo came over and here came the '57 on the auction block. I will never forget the next 5 minutes! It was electrifying! When the car hit $80,000 there were just two bidders - the couple in front of us and a bidder near the stage. The crowd all around us was clapping, and shouting words of encouragement. When the bid hit $100,000 everyone was on their feet and our bidder was determined. With his wife at his side he kept nodding yes and it was like a prize fight, both determined to come out on top! By now, SpeedTV cameras were right there, everyone around clapping, yelling and when the gavel came down at $150,000 and our couple won the bid the place erupted!! It was like your favorite college basketball team hit the winning shot at the buzzer - it was that loud! Two things then occurred that I thought was a touch of class. First, Frank Upton from Motor'nTV who was supposed to be sitting with us saw the action and took pictures of this couple during the action, winning the bid and signing for the car etc.. Frank is getting those pictures for the Miles as these will be priceless for the family! Kudos to Frank for a great "heads up"! Shortly thereafter Spanky the head auctioneer who was actually the one selling the car, came out in the bidders area and congratulated them. Both actions by Frank and Spanky was a touch of class! After things calmed down a bit, I turned to Lloyd and he told me he was getting worried because they travelled all the way from Oregon in hopes of buying this car and he was approaching his credit limit when the gavel came down! He and is wife were elated. Congratulations to the Miles! We were proud to be there and share the experience with them. Another Barrett-Jackson moment that can only be experienced by being here!


Rick Nux

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