Scottsdale Scene: January 15, 2013 – Part 1
Our auction reporter Phil Skinner is reporting live from Arizona… giving you all the auction action on the Scottsdale Scene. Check daily for updates!
Our auction reporter Phil Skinner is reporting live from Arizona... giving you all the auction action on the Scottsdale Scene. Check daily for updates!
By Phil Skinner
While the temperatures outside are presenting one of the coolest January’s on record in the Valley of the Sun, the temperatures are rising and heating up in the auction arenas around Scottsdale. Today, Barrett-Jackson launched it 43rd annual collector car auction which is scheduled for the next six days.
Before the cars came over the block a wide assortment of automotive collectibles crossed the block to strong bidding activity and the cars started right on time. Nearly 1,400 vehicles are set to cross the block, the largest offering ever assembled for a Barrattf-Jackson Auction.
Other sales are gearing as on Wednesday, Russo & Steel, RM Auction and Gooding & Co., will conduct previews of their sales giving prospective bidders to get up close and personal with the potential car of their dream.
Of the dozens of automotive related event taking place in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area this week is the reunion of a number stylists and designers who were award winners from the legendary Fisher Body Craftsman Guild. These competitions challenged America’s youth to design and model their dream cars, designs for the future.
Many of those winners were eventually offered skilled training and eventually ended up working for General Motors such as John Jacobus who has recently completed a book, “Inside the Fisher Body Craftsman Guild.”
The author collected interviews from dozens of winners who discussed their secrets of construction and design theories. Not only new creations were encouraged in this competition, but a challenge was also made to scratch-build the coach used the company logo, hoping here to find future tool and die candidates.
With the help of RM Auctions, this reunion group will be able to display their prized creations, some dating back to the 1930s, at the Biltmore Resort in Phoenix, Ariz., the same venue where RM will be conducting their sale this coming Friday. This unique and historic display will be available for free viewing in the main lobby of the Biltmore Resort and is one item you won’t want to miss.
