Barrett-Jackson collector car auction starts tonight
Say what you will about car-collector mania and auction hype, this year's Barrett-Jackson auction will give you the opportunity to see some truly remarkable vehicles.
After last year's $3.24 million sale of Harley Earl's 1954 Oldsmobile F88 concept car, collectible American concepts have come out of the woodwork for this year's event, including the 1954 Pontiac Bonneville Special pictured above.
In a more contemporary vein, the very first 2007 Ford Shelby GT500 Coupe will cross the block at this year's auction.
The auction has extensive live and tape-delay coverage in North America on SPEED Channel, starting tonight at 7p.m. ET.
Pictures of the rest of this year's American concept cars after the jump.
1953 Ford Vega Roadster - the "Gardner Special"
1950 GM "Futurliner" Parade of Progress bus
1964 Pontiac Prototype Banshee XP-833 Coupe
1953 Chrysler d'Elegance Sports Coupe
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Tara Anderson 10:14AM (3/12/2008)
www.crgauction.com
Classic Car Auction
1058 Wolcott Street
Waterbury,CT.06705
1-800-300-6852
March 22,2008
11:00 AM
60 Classic & Muscle Car's
Reply
les 11:10PM (1/13/2009)
yes i watch your auctions every time there on. I think there great.
i have a question about the guy that stands up on stage that talks
about the car with the camera? why does he touch the car with his
hands when all the other guys use gloves? doesnt it leave the acid from his hands on the car,it just doesnt seem wright that he does that,he gets very close to the carstoo. i was just wondering why he touches them with his bare hands
when alot of those cars are rare and go for alot of money.is he suppose to do that.
thanks
les from new york state
Reply
dennis woobank 2:30PM (1/21/2007)
Ron Pratt bought the GM futurliner for 4 million
Reply
Loren Baker 9:30PM (1/20/2007)
Can anyone tell me just who Ron Pratt is, and how he became 'fiancially capable' to make all these purchases?
Reply
johanna in Virginia 10:41PM (1/20/2007)
I also would like to know who Ron Pratt is? They said they did a special on him.
Reply
Jason Kroop 10:42PM (1/20/2007)
I also, would like to know about Ron Pratt. Does he have a museum for these high priced vehicles?
Reply
Pat Warsalla 10:46PM (1/20/2007)
From what I can gather Ron Pratte (correct spelling) was into construction with a framing business, and did very well during the boom growth in AZ in the 90's He recently (not sure how recent) supposedly sold off his business to pursue his collecting fetish.
I too think it absurd some of the prices paid for so called original muscle cars. Cars from factories came with blemishes, bondo, spot putty and some minor flaws and these yahoos have put average people from buying even local cars, since the local guy watches this and thinks "Wow I can sell my 68 Camaro for lots of money" .
Reply
mrs.byac 11:07PM (1/20/2007)
Here you guys go. This is how Ron Pratte can afford all his toys. Awesome….
http://www.housingzone.com/topics/giants/giants/pbg04ba003.asp
Ron Pratte is the CEO of Pratte Development Company in Arizona. Here is the link to the merger with Pulte Homes that sent him into kajillionaire land.
http://www.buildingonline.com/news/viewnews.pl?id=2805
Reply
johanna in Virginia 11:36PM (1/20/2007)
I am frankly jealous of the bizzillionaires and I would love to have a Cobra/'55vette/babyBird (yes, one of each) (oh, and a '56 Porsche) but when I watch this show as great as it is to see the fabulous cars, I can't help but think the people who run the event are the definition of (successful) hucksters. And of course I would go in a minute if I could. (Although it seems that I'm seeing too much money chasing too few cars. I think Barrett-Jackson is a place to sell a great car, not to buy one.
Reply
StockJockey 1:06AM (1/21/2007)
great coverage today...fun...
more fun
http://www.underthecounter.net/archives/2007/01/big_spender.html
Reply
Doone 11:49AM (1/21/2007)
I'm jealous of the bizzillionaires too! And since I didn't win the lottery, yet again, I guess I won't be buying any of these cars. Maybe I could sell one though, and it would be like winning the lottery! On another note, that Ron Pratte is a good looking guy - he should smile a little once in awhile.
Reply
Mike Kent 4:38PM (1/22/2007)
I waited for months for this years BJ coverage and it certainly lives up to it's billing. The prices are staggering and it's amazing how quickly we have adjusted from expecting a Hemi Cuda to sell for $75,000 to now $275,000. The big shift is the acceptance of re-creation cars at lofty prices. So... there is a 73 Challenger down the street for $18,000 with the a fresh big block..should I buy it? , drop in a crate Hemi, freshen it up and sit next to Ron Pratte next year? Comments please.
P.S. Should have kept my 72 Chevelle SS drop top that I sold for $6000 in 1989! AAARGH!!!!
Reply
Art Shackmaster 4:55PM (1/22/2007)
These cars are mostly beyond perfection. You CAN buy a nice muscle car for reasonable money. Some of the guys selling at B-J are loosing money. You can't pay $20k for a car and then 'nut and bolt' restore it to perfection, and come out. Maybe when they bring OVER $100k. There's a 55k actual mile red 62 Corvette that's going to be auctioned off to the highest bidder in a little town (Salina,Kansas)at an equipment auction, I think on the 24th???. I've seen the car and it's like new, but I doubt you'd have to pay B-J prices. I haven't room for another car, but maybe one of you might be interested. There may even be a few more 'special' cars from locals there.
Good cars at decent prices are around. Just have to look.
Art
Reply
Art Shackmaster 5:03PM (1/22/2007)
I did some checking. It's the 24th of February. Wilson Auctions is doing the sale. Email me if you want me to do more digging.
Reply
Don Anderson 10:08AM (1/23/2007)
Finally!
There were 1 billion Muslims with cable;
And guns but no food on the table.
Barrett-Jackson came on,
Selling Gods on green lawns
I sure wish the world was more stable.
Reply
Ken Burns 7:26PM (2/02/2007)
Barrett-Jackson=Rich Losers
Reply
Terry 7:58PM (2/20/2007)
Ron Pratte is one the coolest and humblest guys you'd ever meet. I can say this because I know him on a personal and first name basis. I would greet him a couple times a week upon his arrivial in one of his jets (Cessna CJ2), turbo-props (Pilatus PC 12), or helicopter (just a little Robinson R44), in Phoenix AZ. He is a pilot/owner with all his aircraft. Yes, he is a kakakazillionaire but has never let it truely go to his head, only is wallet. He treats everyone with same respect no matter where you are in the monatary food chain of humans. He has a huge garage (about 50,000 sq.ft. I believe) I mean warehouse in Chandler, Arizona to house a majority of his prize winning and very rare collection of cars. I could tell you more about him but I'm short on time here.
Reply
MIchael Grant 7:59PM (1/19/2008)
I am a new comer to watching the B-J auctions, and have been in awe of Ron Pratt's buying ability. I am curious as to how his family came into their wealth. I'm not looking for details, just wondering if he's a Pratt from Pratt & Lambert, or Pratt & Whitney, or????
Thanks in advance
Room for Rent 10:34PM (3/23/2007)
Would anyone like a reservation for the Hampton Inn Lake Worth? It is for a Suite. $$$
Reply
Shawn Mark 2:01PM (5/17/2007)
Terry is right. He has a large warehouse with not only all the cars but also alot of automotive memorabilia and signs.
He is an extremely humble guy and really nice but not big on smiling. When I met him he was in his hanger next to my uncles hanger laying on his back listening to loud classic rock and applying an American flag to the bottom of his recently purchase custom helicopter.
I got to sit in the $5.5 mil Shelby Cobra. It's in the museum. The futureliner is there too.
Reply