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This article was published 22/01/2010 (5965 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It’s a buyer’s market at this year’s Barrett/Jackson Collector Car Auction

Sir Nathan Rothschild, who I’d never heard of until last year when my meagre stock portfolio started to unravel, was apparently the quintessential banking opportunist. Even back in the 1800s his financial advice was simple; the best time to buy is when there is "blood in the streets."

Hopefully, there will be no actual blood on the streets of Scottsdale, Ariz. this week for the annual Barrett/Jackson auction but, rest assured, there will be more than a few sellers of classic and special-interest vehicles who will feel as though they’ve been stabbed in the heart.

The financial crisis in the United States may be improving, but they certainly aren’t out of the woods yet. Like the housing market in most major American cities, the current state of the automobile hobby clearly indicates that it’s a buyer’s market.

The reality about collector cars is that, although they do pull at our heartstrings, they are still basically investments. That said, this year at Barrett/Jackson expect to see deals on wheels like never before. My thinking is that the prospect of losing your home or not being able to pay for your children’s college education is likely far more important than that classic Corvette in your garage.

This will undoubtedly result in collector cars selling for far less money than they commanded just a couple of years ago. On the flip side, we can also expect to see fewer of the really big-money cars rolling across the block because financially stable collectors have opted to wait things out and keep their cars tucked away in their garages until the sunny weather reappears.

Nobody in their right mind would ever ask a grease monkey like me for financial advice, and when it comes to collector cars I may not own a crystal ball, but I like to think I’ve got a pretty good handle on what’s hot in the market. Here’s a few picks from this year’s auction that I would snap up in a heartbeat (if I actually had any money). We’ve even included a pick from my buddy Pat Kaniuga, my partner in grime for Pat & Willy’s annual Barrett/Jackson Bash and a certified Mopar maniac.

Patty’s pick

Lot 1255: 1970 Plymouth Hemi Superbird: The Superbird was the wildest car to ever come out of Detroit and the NASCAR Aero wars. However, this Superbird is going to be a tricky one to predict. It’s a real Hemi Bird, and one of only 77 built. Two years ago an original Superbird was selling for north of $300,000. This year an original Hemi example will still bring in very strong money — probably pushing $275,000. But check out the modifications done on this car: 5-speed transmission, 4-wheel disc brakes, rack & pinion steering, 528cid Fuel Injected HEMI engine and air conditioning. Purists are cringing, saying they wrecked a four-speed Hemi. But with the whole pro-touring trend right now, will a guy with deep pockets overlook all that and want the very high-end, high-tech, expensive modifications that have been done to this car? I say it sells for $210,000. Pat Kaniuga.

Willy’s picks

Lot 20: 1984 Pontiac Fiero Indy pace car: A collectible Fiero? Think back to 1984 and the amazing response the Pontiac Fiero received. Granted, the actual cars never lived up to their billing, but there is no denying that the Fiero was a groundbreaking car that opened the door for many imitators in the two-seater sports car world. This model is as original as they come with less than 6,500 actual miles on the odometer and loaded with every available option. 2010 marks the end of the line for Pontiac, and buying this Fiero is a surefire way to show your love for the brand that built excitement. The other reason why I think it’s a good potential collector car is because it will sell cheap, I’d bet it goes for way less than its original $13,000 price tag.

Lot 42: 1970 Chevrolet C-10 pickup: This beautiful Chevy features a 350 engine and a 3-speed automatic transmission. It recently received a total frame-off restoration and is finished in two-tone gold and white with a matching gold interior. It has been stored in a climate-controlled environment and has been driven less than 350 kilometres in the last two years. This is a collector vehicle that can be driven and enjoyed, and will likely sell for less than $20,000.

Lot 81.1: 1958 Plymouth Fury: If there’s blood on the auction block, blame Christine. This beautiful 1958 Fury was recreated to look like the haunted car that starred in the Stephen King novel-based movie Christine. It’s loaded with a 383 engine and an AM radio complete with demon eyes that light up. It’s also covered in show-quality chrome and has received modern safety and reliability upgrades. Old Plymouths as nice as this one are very hard to find, and the star factor of this model ensures that it will always be a show stopper. If I had to guess, I’d say it brings in at least $35,000.

Lot 54: 1989 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am pace car: Third-generation Firebird and Camaro models produced between 1982 and 1992 are fast becoming the next generation of collectible muscle cars, and this beautiful example is one of the rarest. Loaded with options, this 20th anniversary Indy pace car is one of only 1,555 built. Under the hood it features a 3.8-litre turbocharged V6 engine and the car has less than 7,000 original miles on the odometer. Even the Good-Year Eagle Gatorback tires are original. I’m willing to bet this car sells for less than $25,000, and I’m also willing to bet that one day it will be worth a whole lot more than that.

Lot 1056: 1940 Ford Coupe: Make no mistake about it, this car is a street rod, and somebody spent a boatload of money building it. It features an original steel 1940 Ford body but that’s where the old stuff ends. Under the hood there’s a 409 engine topped with a polished 671 blower and two 650 Edelbrock carburetors. It also features an automatic 350 transmission with 2,500 stall converter, hand-polished deep candy apple red paint, custom white leather interior, show-detailed trunk and engine compartment, power steering, power windows, front and rear power disc brakes and 17-inch polished mag wheels.

Just a couple of years ago cars like this were selling for more than $100,000, and it easily cost that much to build this one. With the current state of the economy I’d be shocked if this car sells for more than $75,000, proving that in today’s market, when it comes to custom cars, it makes way more sense to buy it than build it.

Lot 1036: 1987 Buick GNX: Don’t confuse a GNX with a regular run-of-the-mill Buick Grand National; these cars are both rare and highly collectible. This version is GNX No. 275 of only 547 produced. It has only 1,200 original miles and still retains all of its factory-original paint, interior, tires and exhaust. It even has the original window sticker, a special numbered hardcover book, a GNX jacket and hat, and the original owner’s package and manuals. It has been stored in a climate-controlled building since new.

Only 547 Grand Nationals received the GNX treatment, which meant that the cars were sent to ASC/McLaren for numerous high-performance upgrades. Powered by a 3.8-litre V6 engine, this turbocharged beast is capable of doing 0-100 km/h in just 4.7 seconds. The only production car that could beat it in 1987 was the Porsche 911 Turbo cabriolet.

There’s a GNX here in Winnipeg owned by collector Rob Gauthier and, take my word for it, these cars are fire-breathing dragons. If Chuck Norris was a car, he would be a Buick GNX. This black beauty will sell for more than $100,000 and, if you ask me, it’s worth every penny.

willy@freepress.mb.ca

Good time, good cause

Pat & Willy’s 4th annual Barrett/Jackson Bash.

Saturday, Jan. 23, 5 p.m. to midnight.

Pony Corral Restaurant and Bar, 444 St. Mary Ave.

Watch the Barrett/Jackson auction live on the restaurant’s numerous big-screen TVs.

We’re thrilled to report that ticket sales have been great, and thanks to amazing support that includes cash donations from the good folks at Fountain Tire, Arnold Bros. Transport, Custom Transport, JB Transmission, Glen Sytnyk of Remax Realty, and Toad Hall Toys, we are well on our way to reaching our goal of raising $10,000 for the Children’s Rehabilitation Foundation.

Amazing prizes have also been donated from Piston Ring, NAPA, Four Alarm Hot Tub Rentals, Action Signs, Roger Lusty Art Works, Gotta-Go Auto, Gauthier Auto Group, Pembina Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep, Parkside Ford, Eastern Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep, Reenders Square Pet Value, Reenders Sobeys, Crosstown Civic Credit Union (Regent branch), Willy’s Garage, Harley-Davidson Winnipeg, Enns Brothers Powersports, Rona on Panet, Edge Training, Brin’s Pinstriping, Dale Hickey from Adams Car Cleaning Products, Waverley Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep, Alvin Allard from Gauthier Chevrolet/Cadillac, Doug Hilderman Landscaping, Melanie from Party Lite Candles, Lara and Chantal from Salon 855, Global Elements Jewellery, Ben Moss Jewellers and our good friends Dennis and Marianne Fleming.

There is a mountain of great prizes to be had, and they will all be given away Saturday night at Pat & Willy’s Barrett/Jackson Bash, where everyone’s a winner!

Tickets are only $10 and are available at the reception desk of the Children’s Rehabilitation Foundation at 633 Wellington Cres., or at the downtown Pony Corral at 444 St. Mary Ave. You can also reserve tickets at the door by calling Melanie at 230-3404.