An automotive circus.
The OC Fairgrounds hosts many automotive events, Cruisin for a Cure, Labor Day Cruise, Good-guys Get-Together and many others. Last year was the first year for the famed SPEED channel favorite Barrett-Jackson Auction held at the Fairgrounds. This year the weekend was especially busy and we rolled to the event on Friday.
From watching the auction on TV we knew it would be a big spectacle and we pleasantly surprised at the scope and scale of the event. When you first enter the grounds you go through the Ford exhibit where they had several cars that were at their SEMA booth last year and some new cars as well. People could go up on stage and test their pedal to the metal in a dyno drag set-up. Adjacent to the Ford display was a drifting course set-up with periodic performances by Vaughn Gitten Jr. in his Monster Mustang.
The Fairgrounds were littered with big white tents, some with no sides and shaded corrals of cars ready to go on the auction block. There didn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason to the placement of the vehicles, until they were called up to the staging lanes. The staging lanes were three lanes at an opening in the “Big Top” where the numbered auctioned cars would line up as if getting set for the dual lane 1/4 mile blacktop. However, the staging here went to one lane that entered in a black draped entrance to the main auction platform. I had an opportunity to ride along as Cheryl Crist’s Mustang was guided up the platform and over the signature Barrett-Jackson belly cam.
From the stage we can see the loft seating area surrounding the floor seats where the VIP buyers staked their claim in the first couple of rows. A bit about the experience from a sellers point of view. I introduced myself to Cheryl Crist as she was poised to bring her car on stage. She bought the 1999 Mustang GT Convertible new and had a bucket-list to sell it at Barrett-Jackson. She wanted to wait till it was at least 20 years old, but with a recent move with less garage space time was now. There are two ways to bring your car on the stage, drive it yourself or have an official B-J driver bring it on stage. For me to be a passenger, I had to find a owner/driver to ride with or an owner to allow me to ride with a B-J driver. While staged a manager came up and asked what she wanted for the vehicle, which was in excellent shape by the way. We rolled the car up on stage and a stage hand helped to dust the car off before making the final stop center stage. The Barrett-Jackson staffed treated us like royalty, opening the door, offering a photo-op in front of the signature podium and car. Cheryl was anxious and excited as the bidding started. Several numbers came up real quick then slowed. It sold for a bit less than she was hoping, however she was happy because it sold for more than what she thought it would get on e-Bay and a check off her Bucket-List.
We watched several other cars go through the auction process and then headed out to see the rest of the circus. There was a section of the main tent dedicated to automobilia. From pedal cars to gas station fixtures some really cool stuff, some restored some not.
There was an outdoor car show hosted by Meguiars as well with a couple dozen classics and musclecars under the sun and watching a big screen erected showing the auction live. Also outside was a track and display of RC cars. I goofed around a bit with the trophy trucks. The big ferris wheel and aerial tram were open for visitors to ride. Inside the main tent were vendors too. Some great artists, automobilia, and collectibles were among the four aisles of vendors. One of our favorites was Phantom Bicycles. Vintage styled bikes with little 4-stroke motors in cool designs including a dual tank cruiser and café styles. Next to the outdoor car show was a grand display of the “Fueled for the Fallen” series. What started as a tribute to fallen soldiers has grown to fallen emergency responders as well. The Fueled for the Fallen series are specially designed vehicles commemorating those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and safety.
All in all a great event and I strongly suggest it for any gear-head or car guy/gal to attend. Take a look at the Barrett-Jackson website for information on the results of the auction and schedule for other events across the nation.