Barrett Jackson today - Gas Moneky COPO...

[69Z28-RS]

Watching B-J auction tonight, while going thru emails, and noticed they auctioned off SN 001 and SN 002 of the 2014 CRC COPO Camaros.  I think these were sold as 'incomplete cars' and were finished by their buyers.   SN001 was 'finished' by Richard Rawlings Gas Monkey Garage and went for $70K...  SN002 was finished by a different shop (not sure which) and it went for $85K...    Richard was looking a bit downcast..  as I giggled...     (Sorry, couldn't help myself)...

[X33RS]

I saw a couple of red newer COPO's while I was walking around but didn't pay them close attention.  One of them was affiliated with John Force and his daughter.  They were there representing the car last night.  Ran into Jay Leno and crossed paths with Rick Hendrick while walking around, pretty cool.
   Looked over the silver/white houndstooth 69 RS Z pretty good then grabbed a seat and watched as it went across the block last night and fetched $140k.  Nicely done car.  Not too many other 69 Z's to choose from or even worth mentioning this year.  I know 4-5 of them I came across outside under the tents were all clones.
  A lot of oddball stuff strong this year, like Power Wagons for instance.   Olds and Pontiac seem to be doing pretty good this year.   Fantastic show though, my feet are sore this morning, lol.

[X33RS]

Going to stay home tonight and root for a friend of mine, whom my father has known in the 5-6-7 chevy club since the 70's.  George has 7 cars he is selling that should fetch some high dollar amounts tonight.  A trio of 55-56-57 corvettes that are all serial number one he bought right here in Prescott.  A 57 El Morocco convertible, I think the only one known to exist, 1 of 3 produced, another 57 fuelie vette, another red vette(can't remember year) and my favorite, a real 57 chevy black widow with racing history.  He restored them all himself many years ago. I remember when he was restoring the black widow back in the late 80's. He's a really cool guy.  We talked last night, he's pretty nervous.

[cook_dw]

Im sure he is nervous..  But being serial #1 they will bring big money..  I wouldnt be surprised if Mr. Hendrick buys them with his love for #1 cars on top of them being Vettes..  Im gonna guess $300-350 each but I know nothing about that other C word..

[69Z28-RS]

I think I remember him from the early days of the CCCI; there can't be many 'George's with '57 El Morroco convertibles..

[dale_z28]

Watching B-J auction tonight, while going thru emails, and noticed they auctioned off SN 001 and SN 002 of the 2014 CRC COPO Camaros.  I think these were sold as 'incomplete cars' and were finished by their buyers.   SN001 was 'finished' by Richard Rawlings Gas Monkey Garage and went for $70K...  SN002 was finished by a different shop (not sure which) and it went for $85K...    Richard was looking a bit downcast..  as I giggled...     (Sorry, couldn't help myself)...

I'd thoroughly enjoy that show if Richard wasn't in it. I think Counting cars would be better if they showed more of the builds in process instead just the before and after. But that's just me...

[69Z28-RS]

As you can tell, I'm NOT a fan of Richard..  in fact, I watched their show a couple of times, and had to stop watching it... so I don't watch it now, and I really don't even like seeing him portrayed on other programs like (Overhauling, BJ auctions, etc)...  He's pretty disgusting to me!

[maroman]

I think all the current car shows suck. too much fake BS and lies.

[BULLITT65]

 Well i will offer a different opinion here and go against the grain.....


I think Fast and loud, counting cars, are beneficial to the hobby, just as Car Crazy or Overhauling or any of the others are helpful.

The way I look at it is, all these shows are air time, revenue generating machines, and I think keeps the hobby in the forefront.

I was at one of my daughters functions the other day, and saw a father with a Gas Monkey garage shirt on. (you couldn't pay me to wear one of those) I thought the shirt was a good opening to ask him about the show and if he perhaps owned an older car. He said he didn't own one "yet", but really liked the show. So he has the idea of owning one and if the opportunity came about he might be able to do so. The Show was this guys connection. Even My Auntie and older cousins watch fast and loud, more because the comedy portion of the show, but in any event it exposes more people to it. Now I will not pretend to say I agree with all the practices on each show, but as i said the exposure and keeping old cars in the spotlight, I think is what's important.

Now I get it, once there is so much exposure the only place to go is down, but my hope is the message will have found its way to a new generation to keep everything going. I mean, what is the point of all these retro looking cars of Mustangs, Challengers, and Camaros if the baby boomers, Gen X, and millennials don't care about the originals?

[maroman]

I'll take back my ALL statement. I forgot about Leno's show. I do understand what you say about exposure.

[L78 steve]

From my view the Kindig shop does quality work. The Grease Monkeys are flippers.

[cook_dw]

From my view the Kindig shop does quality work. The Grease Monkeys are flippers.

Bingo.

[cook_dw]

Im sure he is nervous..  But being serial #1 they will bring big money..  I wouldnt be surprised if Mr. Hendrick buys them with his love for #1 cars on top of them being Vettes..  Im gonna guess $300-350 each but I know nothing about that other C word..

I didnt realize they were gonna sell them all together..  I was waaaaaay under on my guesstimate...

[69Z28-RS]

so what was the number and did they sell?

[cook_dw]

$1,650,000 for all 3.  IIRC

[hgger69]

Well i will offer a different opinion here and go against the grain.....


I think Fast and loud, counting cars, are beneficial to the hobby, just as Car Crazy or Overhauling or any of the others are helpful.

The way I look at it is, all these shows are air time, revenue generating machines, and I think keeps the hobby in the forefront.

I was at one of my daughters functions the other day, and saw a father with a Gas Monkey garage shirt on. (you couldn't pay me to wear one of those) I thought the shirt was a good opening to ask him about the show and if he perhaps owned an older car. He said he didn't own one "yet", but really liked the show. So he has the idea of owning one and if the opportunity came about he might be able to do so. The Show was this guys connection. Even My Auntie and older cousins watch fast and loud, more because the comedy portion of the show, but in any event it exposes more people to it. Now I will not pretend to say I agree with all the practices on each show, but as i said the exposure and keeping old cars in the spotlight, I think is what's important.

Now I get it, once there is so much exposure the only place to go is down, but my hope is the message will have found its way to a new generation to keep everything going. I mean, what is the point of all these retro looking cars of Mustangs, Challengers, and Camaros if the baby boomers, Gen X, and millennials don't care about the originals?

I'm with you all the way, well spoken! 
I watch Kindigit, Gas Monkey, Counting Car, Wheeler Dealers, Foose and all the other as often I can and I appreciate every second of them!
Then I can agree with L78steve, Kindigit is in their own league!! It really world class work they accomplish! 

[X33RS]

I think I remember him from the early days of the CCCI; there can't be many 'George's with '57 El Morroco convertibles..

You're memory is probably correct Gary.  There is only 1 57 vert El Morocco in the world that is known,  He's had that car for more years than I can remember.  His name is George Swartz (not sure if I have the last name spelled correctly)  He's a hell of a nice guy.  He does all his own work from start to finish, including paint.  He even makes some of his own parts in hand made molds.  When he bought that El Morocco it was missing a few parts and as you can imagine, nothing is reproduced for that car.  He made sand cast molds to produce parts himself, and also makes some of the fuelie parts for the 57 and up chevys.  He subs nothing out himself, does it all at home.  Very crafty fellow, and loves to restore classic neon signs as well, you'll see some of those at BJ next year.  He has a huge and rare collection of them.
   I watched that 57 fuelie black widow race car come together back in the 80's.  We were in Charlotte at the Autofair in about 1987 when he found a NOS gas tank for it.  Basically it's a 57 limousine 20 gallon tank for extra fuel capacity.  To find one new in the box was rare even in 1987.  He paid big bucks for it back then and had 3 or 4 other offers for it for more money before we could get it back to the truck, lol.  That car sold for $200k last night.
    He told me while talking to him that BJ had those 3 vettes in their possession since November of 2014, so they could haul them around the country on display at various auctions for advertisement.  So this past weekend was the first time George was able to put his eye's on them in over a year.  That alone made him very nervous.  He also said there were more than 50 people flying in just to bid on those 3 cars.  So I knew it would be a good night for him.  I had a pretty good feeling that Rick Hendrick would wind up with them.  I think I was more sad to see them go than he was, he's had that stuff for decades.  He was tired of all the upkeep and maintenance and said it was time to let some of them go.  He still has a small collection of really cool cars he is hanging on to for the time being.
  Overall, George said that he has been extremely pleased with the way BJ handled everything and how the operation ran, very smooth, no problems and nice people to deal with.  He said he couldn't have had a better experience.  He told me this before he made his $2 million + so that speaks volumes.
  I thought I'd pass that along because usually all you hear about is the headaches and complaints and no one really bothers to speak up when they have a good experience.  Happy for George, he had a good weekend.

[69Z28-RS]

Yes, I figured out already that he is the same George..     I think he's also been involved in some corvette organizations that I'm involved with,  and I think he may have owned a very rare ZR1 back a few years ago.  I appreciate a car more when the owner does his own work...

[68camaroz28]

Anxious to see those three cars and probably will when we tour Mr. Hendrix private stable this coming June. Boy does he have a collection of #1 vin's.

[maroman]

Memory isn't what it used to be, but back in my Corvette days I thought it was known that serial number 1 and 2  1953  Corvettes had been destroyed. Number 3 was known to exist, owned by Bud Thieubud{sp}.

[69Z28-RS]

Memory isn't what it used to be, but back in my Corvette days I thought it was known that serial number 1 and 2  1953  Corvettes had been destroyed. Number 3 was known to exist, owned by Bud Thieubud{sp}.

That is my recollection as well...  I think it was a '55, '56, '57 that Mr Swartz sold via BJ (to Hendrix)...

[X33RS]

Yup, that is true of the 53.  George had #1 of 55-56-57 vettes.