First-ever Saratoga Auto Auction slated for SPAC
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. >> Jeff Whiteside wants to pack the house at Saratoga Performing Arts Center, long after the last concert crowds have gone home.
He’s coordinating the first-ever Saratoga Auto Auction on Sept. 22-23, which will see the likes of Porsche, Lotus, Jaguar and Ferrari rolled out on the SPAC stage, fetching prices of $250,000 or more.
The event is a fund-raiser for Saratoga Auto Museum, whose new exhibit, “The Gavel,” explains the history and process of high-end auctions as a precursor to this fall’s sale.
“I look at these as works of art,” said Whiteside, the museum’s auction director, a new position he filled in November. “Most of them are collector
cars. SPAC is an incredible venue and the sale will be at a beautiful time of year.”
Plans call for twice yearly auctions at SPAC in September and May, featuring about 200 vintage autos. Beginning in 2018, Whiteside also wants to hold a smaller, more select sale during the summer racing season, perhaps at the Fasig Tipton sales pavilion.
Each car will be sold on consignment, with the auto museum receiving a percentage of proceeds.
Whiteside, originally from Toronto, first came to the Capital Region to play hockey at RPI. He was a member of the Engineers’ 1984 national championship team.
Most recently, he was employed by RM Auctions, a prestigious classic car auction firm. In August 2014, he was part of the sixth highest-priced car ever sold, a 1964 Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale that went for $26,708,000.
Number one on the world’s most expensive cars list is the $38.6 million paid for 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, which also sold in August 2014.
In comparison, Whiteside described this year’s inaugural Saratoga event as an “affordable” auction.
A 2003 Maserati with 21,000 miles on it, for example, will likely sell for about $35,000.
Price is determined by a variety of factors such as authenticity and originality, age, condition, demand, rarity and historical significance.
“A 1965 Mustang might be beautiful, but they made 3 million of them,” Whitesaid said.
The Saratoga sale will include a black, long-finned 1957 Chrysler 300C, one of America’s first muscle cars that should go for about $150,000, primarily because there are only a few left.
A gorgeous cream-colored 1957 Continental, with cranberry-and-white leather seats, was featured at this month’s New York International Auto Show. It’s now part of the Auto Museum exhibit.
Whiteside already has a strong lineup of about 100 of the 200 autos slated for the September sale. Most are from throughout the U.S. with a few international owners as well.
On Wednesday, a unique 1952 Fiat 500c Topolino Belvedere arrived at the museum. Most will be brought in shortly before the auction.
Of those with commitments, the highest priced to date is a 1967 Corvette that should draw at least $250,000.
However, it could face competition from a 1940 Mercedes-Benz and 1962 Jaguar XKE.
“We’re trying to give people a variety of cars, too,” Whitesaid.
For example, the lineup includes a 1931 Ford Model A Woodie and a 1941 Ford pickup street rod, painted in a stunning sunset pearl color.
The festive two-day event will also include food offerings and displays by highend automakers such as Tesla, Ferrari, Maserati, Porsche and Alfa Romeo.
No doubt, the auction is apt to attract a number of celebrity buyers.
Whiteside said Paul Teutul Jr., co-founder of Orange County Choppers and star of the reality television show, American Chopper, plans to attend with several of his unique motorcycles.
There will even be several antique classic wooden boats from Hall’s Boat Corp. on Lake George.
The auction will be conducted by Barrett-Jackson, which does vehicle auctions nationwide. Thanks to television and Internet videostreaming, such events have extremely far-reaching audiences.
A 10-day Florida sale in January recorded 15 million website page views, and generated $86 million in sales for more than 2,700 cars.
Spectator tickets for the inaugural Saratoga Auto Auction go on sale May 1 at the SPAC box office or online at: saratogaautoauction.org.
Friday’s reception for the museum’s new exhibit, “The Gavel: The Cars of the Saratoga Auto Auction,” is from 6-9 p.m. The event is open to the public. Tickets, available at the door, are $10 for members and $20 for nonmembers. Bravo Catering of Mama Mia’s Pizza and Café is catering the event. For information go to saratogaautomuseum.org.