I did not see the "lesser value" sales days of the week prior but did listen to the commentary of how the cream of the crop was selected by Craig Jackson personally for the Saturday auction. This was quite a presentation of both classics, resto-mods and total customs rolling across the auction block. In some instances, there was not any rhyme or reason to what they were selling for.

For example, a black 1953 Ford F-100 went across and and sold for around $205,000.00.  It was a completely modified F-100 and the 2 bidders that were duking it out were older gentlemen. One of them had his wife prodding him along. When her efforts finally were not working and the Barrett-Jackson fluffer saw he was not being effective, he then started working on her. The vehicle itself appeared to be done well and with exotic materials.

The vehicles that have consistently drawn the huge money in the past several years have been the Hemi equipped Mopars. Whether they are original or not, they get the dollars. A green Cuda Convertible (originally a 318 car) went for a hair over $100,000.00 that was a clone but not done with a crate Hemi. It had been done with a correctly date coded Hemi. The announcer commented if the car had been the real deal, it would of gone for 2 million to 3 million dollars. If you do the math, having a done clone that runs, drives and performs like the original that gets one in the door for 2.5% to 5% of the value. Not too bad of a deal when you consider the cost differential of doing other clones for other makes.

Barrett-Jackson has been in the unique position for the past couple of years with their auctions and their shows that illustrate what to look for in purchasing these cars for both in investment and quality. They can literally set the market at this point in time. However, one has to consider that things are totally different in an auction atmosphere. There is a very carefully staged process in coddling the potential buyer and making them feel at ease so they will spend more money. This is done with the auction facilities having a working relationships with banks and finance companies, the careful training of the spotters whose sole job is to identify a good bidder and then pump them up. Thats where the pressure is applied. They know you want the car so beat the bidder up to get the car. It is totally human to get caught up in the moment and want to win, even at any cost. If you dispute this, look around at Mecum's and RM's auction results along with Barrett-Jackson. Then go to Deals On Wheels, Auto Trader and Hemmings Motor News. Look what similar cars are selling for. Go to Ebay and search in completed listings for the same type cars. There is a huge difference in pricing. This is true even for cars of the same caliber as what crossed the line at those auctions. I am not saying there is anything wrong with any of these venues. It just illustrates the difference between a private seller and a well orchestrated, professional organization that knows the process and how to work the system.

Everything needs to be put into perspective. The bottom line is that when we are asked what a car is worth, our response is always, "whatever the person standing in front of you is willing to pay".

It just all depends on where that person is standing!