GETTING IN GEAR
Organizations ready for Saratoga Auto Auction
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » A first-ever Saratoga Auto Auction is less about cars, and more about saving lives, organizers say.
Vehicles ranging in price up to $225,000 will roll across the stage at Saratoga Performing Arts Center on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 22-23.
The event is a fundraiser for Saratoga Auto Museum, whose educational program is heavily focused on preventing distracted driving with four training simulators that have been used by students, police and private firms such as UPS and Global Foundries.
“The car is a lethal weapon,” said Anthony Ianniello, past museum board chairman. “It’s no different than a gun. Distracted driving has become an even bigger problem than DWI. It’s at all times of day and night. The result is a pattern of death like we’ve never seen in the U.S. It’s a horrible situation.”
The museum hosted a press conference on Thursday to promote the auction.
About 12,000 area students have already used the simulators, which travel to schools when not in use at the museum.
Saratoga County Sheriff Michael Zurlo said, “Far too often I get calls in the middle of the night about accidents caused by distracted driving.”
All 122 of his road patrol deputies are trained on the simulators, too, each year, he said.
The museum hopes to raise $300,000 at this year’s inaugural sale to support programs and operations, said Jeff Whiteside, museum auction director. Previously he worked for RM Auctions, a prestigious classic car auction firm. In August 2014, Whiteside was part of the sixth highestpriced car ever sold, a 1964 Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale that went for $26,708,000.
He described the Saratoga sale as an “affordable” event featuring some of the best from various level auctions. The highest-priced entry is a $225,000 2016 Ferrari California.
However, bidders may also drive way with one of several cars costing less than $20,000, including a 1966 Mustang. Many of the most popular cars from the 1960s and ’70s were produced in large numbers, so they don’t command as high a price as exclusive vehicles, which are hard to find, Whiteside said.
Cars will be on hand from throughout the Northeast, owned by consignors ranging from Connecticut to Montreal and Philadelphia.
Several motorcycles including a 1934 Harley-Davidson VLD restored by History Channel celebrity Steve Hale will be offered, too. He stars in the show, American Restorations, and owns a shop in Frankfort, near Herkimer.
“This Harley was completely dismantled because the original owner was going to restore it,” Hale said. “Thankfully, he did not. So we were able to polish and reassemble everything so that it’s exactly how it was originally. It has all the original paint and components. We really feel that it’s one of the best-preserved antique Harleys in existence.”
It’s currently owned by John Coleman of Utica.
Orange County Choppers officials are expected to display motorcycles as well.
Museum Executive Director Jim Letts said the auction is expected to be annual event. The SPAC stage has already been reserved for the next four years, in September, he said.
“I think SPAC is going to be one of the best auction venues in the world,” Whiteside said. “Response from the industry has been fantastic.”
Cars will be checked in on Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 19-20. An all-day preview is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 21.
After another viewing early Friday, the first 60 vehicles will be auctioned from 4-7:30 p.m. The rest will be sold from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
The auction will have a festive atmosphere with food offerings, too.
In addition to its fundraising mission, the event is seen as having a positive local economic impact by boosting tourism in early autumn.
Iannello, who owns a Ferrari 488 and Porsche 911, didn’t rule out the possibility of buying another highend car at the auction.
“I’ve got my eye on that Lotus over there,” he said.
Museum visitors may use training simulators when the education director is present, usually from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday.
For information email: Lindsey.collins@saratogaautomuseum.org.