Russo and Steele Newport Beach Auction

I stopped by the Newport Dunes yesterday to pick up my credentials for this week's Russo and Steele Auction thinking I would go back Thursday morning to shoot the cars. Well, there were so many great looking cars there already that I couldn't resist shooting what was there.



This blue Corvette is a hue that is hard to reproduce but if you're looking for something to turn heads go to the auction and take this one home!







More pics here and I'll be adding to the album over the next few days.

SoCalCarCulture - THE place to find out what is happening in Southern California's Car Culture!

Central Texas Museum of Automotive History

I was fortunate to visit the Central Texas Museum of Automotive History last fall.
The museum which was mostly comprised of  Dick Burdick's collection of cars and various other automobilia was auctioned off two weeks ago. This museum was located in Rosanky, TX way off the beaten path. Not something the casual tourist would easily discover, unlike Dick's Classic Garage, his other museum in San Marcos, TX. I happened to visit that one first and after a lengthy conversation with the curator decided to visit this one.

The results of the Dan Cruse Classics auction are available here and the complete Auction Catalog is here.
















A nice red '32 Ford Model B Pickup

There were cases filled with unique Automaker Badges & Emblems.

Automobilia was displayed everywhere one looked.

To see all the pics click here or to see a slide show click on the pic below, when it opens enlarge it to full screen and enjoy!




SoCalCarCulture - THE place to find out what is happening in Southern California's Car Culture!

Fonzie's Motorcycle from Happy Days to be Auctioned

The 1949 Triumph Trophy TR5 Scrambler Custom ridden by The Fonz in the television hit series Happy Days will be one of the highlights at Bonhams' upcoming Classic California Sale in Los Angeles. This famous double-headline bike was owned by legend Bud Ekins.

This now iconic emblem of American pop culture will be offered by Bonhams at their annual Classic California Sale, held November 12th, at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. Renowned for offering property from famous actors each year – Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, Clark Gable and Bruce Willis, to name just a few – this autumn auction is not to be missed by aficionados of pop and custom culture and entertainment and automotive history.

Classic California Online Catalog

Image: Lot # 335 Built by noted hot rodder Rick Dore, the matching car to lot 336, the 2005 Chopper. 1934 Ford Model 40 Custom Roadster Hotrod "Flashback" Estimate:
US$75,000-125,000

Classic California: Collectors' Motorcycles, Motorcars, and Related Memorabilia
Preview Dates:
Thursday, November 10, 2011 2pm-6pm
Friday, November 11, 2011 10am-6pm
Saturday, November 12, 2011 10am-12pm

Sale Date and Times:
Saturday, November 12, 2011
11am Classic California: Related Memorabilia
2pm Classic California: Collectors' Motorcycles and Motorcars

Returning for the ninth consecutive year, the annual Classic California sale promises to once again highlight the richness of California's motoring heritage.
With 59 vehicle ranging from hot rods to muscle cars to movie cars and bikes to veteran machines from the dawn of motoring, many without reserve, and over 260 lots of automobilia-including a number of Von Dutch signs, historic California road signs, and a selection of exceptional vintage bicycles-this year's Classic California sale is not one to miss!

Contact Phone: (415) 391-4000
Contact Email: motors.us@bonhams.com

SoCalCarCulture - THE place to find out what is happening in Southern California's Car Culture! 

Barrett-Jackson Shocker of the weekend - $198k VW Bus!

I saw this beautiful bus Wednesday as I was walking through the event after picking up my credential and thought about how great it looked. My first view of it grabbed me immediately, it was sitting in the middle of building 10 with no other cars around it and the light coming through the doors set it off nicely! Hmmm, I wonder what this will go for - never did I imagine...

...when I checked the price Saturday night I was amazed! $198,000 and with the 10% commission a total of $217,800!

If you missed seeing it cross the auction block on Speed here's the video courtesy of Speed.



SoCalCarCulture - THE place to find out what is happening in Southern California's Car Culture!

06-22-11 Barrett-Jackson Orange County - Behind the Scenes

06-22-11 I stopped by the OC Fairgrounds to pick up my credential for Barrett-Jackson this weekend and decided to shoot a little behind the scenes so you can see how much preparation goes on to create an event of this scale.

I guess the driver unloading this Jeep doesn't know about the hands-free law!

Here's the map of this year's layout for those of you planning ahead. Click on the pic to enlarge or download the program here.

Click on the pic below for the slideshow (for best viewing click on the full screen icon on the bottom right when it opens) or click here for the individual pics.

SoCalCarCulture - THE place to find out what is happening in Southern California's Car Culture!

Russo & Steele Auction blown away last night!

The Russo & Steele Collector Car auction in Scottsdale, AZ was hit by one of the storms that passed through SoCal this week. The intense winds blew two tents off the cars, exposing them to the elements and leaving support poles, tent material and other debris laying on the cars.

The Russo & Steele site says no one was injured but the fire authorities have taken control of the site until it is deemed safe for the car owners to return and assess the damage. Check the Russo & Steele site for updates and take a look at the videos for more...

Video preview of tomorrow's Icons of Speed & Style auction at the Petersen

Chris Brown, Marketing Manager at the Petersen, just sent me the links to these videos from today. In his message he apologized for the editing, other than titles they are straight out of the camera.

The Icons of Speed & Style by RM Auctions is sure to be an historic event, just look at the cars. I was there to shoot it also but it will be a few days before I have time to get the pics loaded, so much going on this weekend. The RM Auction is tomorrow at the Petersen Automotive Museum, I'll be at Cruising for a Cure in Costa Mesa and Sunday I'll be at the Coronado Festival of Speed - whew.

Enjoy the Videos...