Scottsdale Scene: January 14, 2013

Our auction reporter Phil Skinner is reporting live from Arizona... to give you all the auction action on the Scottsdale Scene. Check daily for updates!

King of the Customizers George Barris was on hand at Barrett-Jackson Gala showing his Batmobile to prospective bidders.

By Phil Skinner

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Monday, January 14, 2013 — With a half dozen auctions getting ready to kick off in the Scottsdale area within the next week or so, vintage cars seem to be everywhere as thousands of bidders, consignors and just curious car lovers converge on the Valley of the Sun.

On Monday evening the hottest ticket in town was the Barrett-Jackson Gala. It was a party atmosphere with nearly a dozen local restaurants offering samples of their signature dishes as pop music and a party atmosphere set the mood for the upcoming 1,400 car, six-day auction that starts early Tuesday. It gave us a chance to check out some of the cars that are going to be crossing the block at what is billed as the World Greatest Auction. We ran into the King of the Customizers, George Barris, who is offering his Batmobile #1 and is expected, according to several rumors, to bring close to $3 million.

In our opinion, one of the prettiest cars offered at Barrett-Jackson is this 1954 Hudson Italia, scheduled to run over the block next Saturday.

We also spotted a gorgeous 1954 Hudson Italia, one of just 26 produced, which will be offered as part of a special collection. But it was the automobilia that really captured our eye, the choicest lots in our eye, a pair of custom-cast miniature Pontiac V8 engines, reportedly handcrafted for the head of the Pontiac Division.