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PRATTE TUESDAY: A PHENOMENAL DAY FOUR AT BARRETT-JACKSON
January 13, 2015
Posted by Barrett-Jackson
Some 32,000 people poured into Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale today, anxious to witness the first cars of the highly anticipated Ron Pratte Collection cross the block.
The morning was busy with the auction of about 190 prime pieces of Ron Pratte Automobilia, which in itself is setting records. Big seller of the day was a 1930s Harley-Davidson Bar and Shield double-sided neon porcelain dealership sign that sold for an incredible $86,250, with a close second coming from a 1950s Humble Esso Aviation Products restored single-sided porcelain airport hangar sign, which brought in an impressive $80,500. Another popular item, a 1950s Mobil Oil Pegasus coin-operated children’s ride, fetched $40,250.
Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson, greets Ron Pratte
minutes before the auction of his Collection.
As the time grew near for the Pratte Collection to begin and the Discovery/Velocity cameras to start rolling, debuting a new television partnership between Barrett-Jackson and the network, the excitement in the auction arena was palpable. With Pratte looking on with interest from the front row of bidders, the vehicles he had so carefully assembled over the years began to motor across the block.
Big highlights early on were three cars straight out of Hollywood and great favorites of the crowd. The 1955 Pontiac Star Chief convertible from the iconic TV show “I Love Lucy” sold for $220,000, the Beverly Hillbillies Custom Truck went for $275,000, and the striking red 1958 Plymouth Fury that starred in the movie “Christine” fetched $198,000.
Lot #2006 – 1956 Plymouth Fury “Christine” – $198,000
Lot #2004 – 1955 Pontiac Star Chief Convertible “I Love Lucy” – $220,000
Another big moment came today when racing legend Arie Luyendyk drove his former 1991 Lola Racecar onto the block and watched as it sold for $123,200. This marked the second time Luyendyk drove his car across the block; the first was back in 2005, when Ron Pratte was the winning bidder.
All told, 188 cars crossed the block today—110 of them belonging to the Pratte Collection—bringing in an incredible $16.2 million. Here were the top five sellers of the day:
Lot #2010 – 1940 Ford Boyd Coddington Pickup – $374,000
Lot #2015 – 1969 Chevrolet Camaro COPO 427 – $330,000
Lot #2005 – Beverly Hillbillies Custom Truck – $275,000
Lot #2016 – 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle Yenko 427 – $275,000
Lot #2038 – 1932 Ford Custom Show Roadster – $269,500
In a perfect ending to a perfect auction day, husband-and-wife country music stars Thompson Square took to the stage in the Equidome as part of the Barrett-Jackson Country Music Concert Series.
Country music stars Thompson Square performed on the Barrett-Jackson stage Tuesday night.