I have some chunks of pavement saved from Route 66. I don’t even know why I picked them up. Perhaps wandering around the Arizona ruins of gas stations, trading posts, and the old zoo dug into my soul a little… This video about Route 66 dug a little more…
She said she misses her Dad as she nostalgically looks over at his beautiful red Corvette. She tells me of her fond memories, that it’s been in the family since 1974. He was always working on it, making it faster. Then she flashed back to share a story of how he ran a gasoline and service station on route 66 for years. She told me that folks would roll up, kids falling out of every door, no money, with a broken car. Dad would complete the repair for free to get the family back on their way.
Superstition Specialty Cars applied a little TLC to get her running right, and she’s now back with her family. I love when a beautiful ride comes with a history behind it. Thanks for sharing it with us Jody.
One of my favorite times of the year is Arizona Auction Week, from January 11-19th and we have so many choices! Barrett-Jackson, Russo and Steele, Gooding & Co, Bonham, Leake and RM Sotheby’s all show up to auction off every collector car imaginable from Alpha Romeo to Zaporozhet ZAZ 965. Sports cars, super cars, race cars, horseless carriages, touring sedans, hot rods, classics and muscle cars, whatever your flavor, it is here, shiny, and for sale. Before you dive in, here are some tips on jumping into the auction pool…
Do your homework.
Before you even buy your bidder’s passes, attend one or two auctions to observe how they operate. It is good to know what your purposes are. Flipping means you’ll need to pick cars that move, like popular muscle cars, however you have to keep purchase price in check. Drivers require a keen eye on condition, making sure you hear it run, and making sure it doesn’t “mark it’s territory” with leaks. Touring cars mean that you’ll need all the dependability, safety and comfort, but the price goes up for that. Collectors are typically the ultra-rare, low mileage gems that are museum-worthy.
Define and stick to your budget. The selling price isn’t the end all: buyers fees, registration fees, taxes and transport should be included in your total budget number. All that paperwork you filled out for the auction basically means that you can’t back out of your deal once it is hammered complete, so really understand what you are paying for. Also know that every 40 to 80 year old car needs repair. Your diligence with your homework can help mitigate post-auction costs.
Research the catalog or auction website to create a shortlist of vehicles to bid on, then research the history and photos presented and check the vehicle identification number (VIN). You will need to know if you are bidding on an original or clone as it impacts the value.
Be there Early and Late.
Register before you get there, get your finance, credit checks and paperwork in order and bring your ID. There are a lot of good deals to bid on before and after the TV coverage. If you have an opportunity to preview the cars before the auction begins, you will be better armed with an inspection. Sometimes you can chat with the staff, or the consignor before the action starts, starting the car and sharing details about the vehicle that are not in the description.
The auction juice.
Did you use your bidding hand, or your beer hand when you bought that? A few drunk people that want the same car, can drive the price up increasing profits, which is why bidders at some auctions get many drink tickets with their passes.
The auction hangover can be an expensive lesson for some. That car that you wanted so bad, can turn into a purchase that you regret. You spent well over what it’s worth, or perhaps it will take a hefty investment to make it safe to drive. Heck, that can happen without the auction juice, but why make it easy for them?
Enjoy the spectacle that is Arizona Auction Week, and for all the details on the 2020 plans, download the Auto Auction Guide from here: https://www.experiencescottsdale.com/auto-auctions/
If you need inspections, repair, upgrades, or restorations on your auction scores, call Superstition Specialty Cars now at (480)774-6809 to schedule. We specialize in hot rods, classics and muscle cars. See you at the auctions!
After watching a driver on my morning commute today weave abruptly through traffic, I was forced to think that his 2016 Toyota must not have them. Right? I thought they came free with the cars nowadays, but nah, let me guess where you are swerving next, only to catch up with you at the next light. I digress.
Although she did not patent her design, in 1914 actress Florence Lawrence created a push button operated signaling arm that raised and lowered a flag located on the rear bumper to indicate a turn. She also created a sign that read STOP that would pop up in the rear of the car when she pressed the brake, performing all of her own mechanical work as she created safety solutions that also included the first electric windshield wiper system.
Late to the patent game with England’s Percy Douglas-Hamilton’s 1909 U.S. patent 912831 for the device “indicating the intended movements of vehicles”, Lawrence’s tenacity stands out in the early automotive history as she pushed for automotive safety. Eventually Edgar Walz Jr. received the 1925 patent on a light with two arrows and a brake light, followed by Joseph Bells’s flashing device that resulted in Buick introducing turn signals in 1939 as standard.
Florence Lawrence sits behind the wheel of a Lozier open touring car with 1912 Pennsylvania license plates. [photo credit: Wisconsin Center for Film and Theater Research]
References:http://www.secondchancegarage.com/public/history-of-turn-signal.cfmhttps://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/14/magazine/who-made-that-turn-signal.htmlhttps://www.historicvehicle.org/florence-lawrence-automotive-inventor-worlds-first-movie-star/
Our team has many talents when it comes to building, upgrading, and restoration, but we also perform all of the basics to keep your classic running smooth! Call Superstition Specialty Cars at (480) 774-6809 for all of your classic car repair needs. Some of the many services that Superstition Specialty Cars provides includes:
According to Hot Rod Network, 70 years of Hot Rod Magazine was kicked off by the Hot Rod Exposition in LA in 1948, marking the first event celebrating the market potential of hot rodding as an industry. The impact of popular culture on 1950’s Hot Rod Culture is still observed today. The ramp up of popularity of folks absorbing the scene popped up everywhere including impacts in street racing’s transition to tracks, and popular culture indicators of changes in the music scene, movies, TV, and even on language. One of the larger impacts is in the creation of Hot Rod Shows. Seeing that the first Hot Rod Exposition held in 1948 LA helped to legitimize the past time (photo HRN), it is no surprise that today’s car shows and the vendors to support the past times popularity is still growing (Taylor, 2013).
The last SEMA show in Vegas attracted 162,000 attendants from custom shops all over the world, to find out the latest trends and products from 2,400 exhibiting companies, and the press was everywhere to cover the now $45b industry event (SEMA, 2018). With lots of folks wondering if the hot rod scene is waning, the clear answer is nope. SEMA indicates that our youth are actually fueling growth in the industry where eight million 16-24 year olds personalize, upgrade, and accessorize their cars. The fandom of this uniquely American culture is seen at the 1948 Exposition, has grown dramatically as other hot rod runs, car shows and nationally sponsored industry and fan events still gather thousands of enthusiasts (photo SEMA).
References: SEMA (2018). 2018 SEMA Show Fact Sheet. Retrieved 20190218 from: https://www.semashow.com/sites/default/files/pdfs/fact-sheet-sema-show.pdfTaylor, T. (2013). The History of Hot Roding – 1940s and 1950s. Retrieved 20190218 from: https://www.hotrod.com/articles/history-of-hot-rodding-1940s-1950s/
We are huge fans of all of the volunteers at the CAF Airbase at Falcon Field, and love that they are hosting more car shows! Our friend Jim sent us a message and picture of his beautiful 32 Ford coupe in front of the “Sentimental Journey” B-17G Flying Fortress bomber at CAF’s Vintage Wings & Wheels show last weekend. Thanks for the great photo and nice words Jim!
Superstition Specialty Cars proudly presents this super road-worthy 1953 Chevrolet 3600 3/4 ton Truck. New suspension, engine work, and seat belts were installed in 2017 and included new wheels and tires. Further descriptions to come.
Pictures are located here: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmHDU2b5 Consignor is asking $17,500. Call Dave today at 602-570-0414 for more details, or to schedule an appointment to see this rustic beauty!
Superstition Specialty Cars proudly presents this sweet 1985 El Camino Conquista on consignment. We’ve completed some TLC to this fun driver last winter, and this one checks a lot of boxes! Loaded with upgraded and recently serviced R134a A/C and a 305ci V8 Edelbrock 4BBL to keep you cool while you go, the custom interior complements (yes, it has cup holders!) the required factory upgrades of power windows, power locks, and tilt steering. Cruise control, AM/FM/CD, and backup camera will get you where you are going safely and comfortably.
Under the hood on the V8 you’ll find some polished chrome valve covers and air cleaner assembly, power steering, 3-speed auto transmission, and front disk brakes. The paint is fresh, the trim looks great, and it rides on torq thrust wheels. The speedo reads 18,981 on this Conquista and she is ready for more!
More pictures here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/ndtoP4Vgq5ZyaCny7 Consignor is asking $15,500. Call Dave today at 602-570-0414 for more details, or to schedule an appointment to see this classic beauty!
You must be logged in to post a comment.