Gavel Gazing
Alyn Edwards talks to the son of the father- and- son duo behind auction
Jason Heard is all smiles and enthusiasm leaning on the fender of a beautiful modified 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible.
It is one of an estimated 125 collector vehicles to be auctioned at next weekend’s Vancouver Collector Car Show and Auction at the Pacific National Exhibition Fairgrounds. He and his father Phil are co- promoters, and they have a lot on the line.
For example, their beautiful black 1962 Cadillac DeVille convertible is one of 20 vehicles that will be auctioned without reserve. That means the last bid buys the car no matter how low it is. Could this backfire? Sure it could, but it’s the prospect of getting the car of their dreams at a bargain price that fills seats at auctions.
Both father and son are longtime show promoters who got into the car hobby as a father-and-- son thing five years ago. They didn’t sit at home watching the Barrett- Jackson auction on television. They went. They have now been five times.
“We want to bring that experience to people here at home,” Heard says.
Speed TV auction commentator Steve Magnante will be hosting a preview party at the PNE on Friday night for VCCSA consignors and registered bidders. He will also be on stage providing commentary as the cars cross the block Saturday and Sunday.
For the second year in a row, Maynards Auctions will manage the event with well known local car auctioneer Greg Rollo wielding the gavel.
Improvements to the auction include displaying feature cars in the Agrodome where the auction takes place, with all other auction cars steps away in the Livestock Building.
“We want bidders to have a good chance to really see the cars, so we have changed how they come onto the stage, allowing us to have a four- car staging lane as well,” Heard says.
Apart from the near- perfect turquoise- and- white Bel Air convertible, a fully restored 1951 Ford pickup, a British- built 1965 Commer camper van and a 2006 Ford GT special edition with a Whipple supercharger worth an estimated $ 350,000 will cross the block.
A radically customized 1958 Chevrolet Yeoman station wagon that won the top award at the Specialty Equipment Market Association show in Las Vegas will be auctioned.
Creating a lot of interest is Moonglow, a beautifully customized 1954 Chevrolet built as a tribute to one of the most famous custom cars ever built. The car took 11 years to build with a replacement cost estimated at $ 300,000.
“Cars like this are rolling art,” Heard says.
A restored numbers- matching 1966 Plymouth Satellite will be auctioned for charity with the full hammer price going to the MS Society.
“With this number of vehicles, we really believe we have something for everybody,” Heard says.
And that also goes for the show, which could see up to 700 special interest vehicles on display.
Once again this year, the car clubs are bringing their best vehicles to show, including the BC Hot Rod Association, the Camaro Club and the Early Ford V- 8 Club.
Heard and his father have worked hard to double the sponsorship this year with the Dueck Auto Group as the presentation sponsor to make the show bigger and better.
“People attending can ride in a Ford Model T,” Heard says, “and watch a low- rider competition while viewing all types of modified cars, trucks and motorcycles.”
They have gone to dozens of car shows to talk up the event and show people what they can expect.
“We need as many people coming through the gates to see the show and the auction to support an event of this size. There can’t be one without the other,” he says.
A partnership with the Dupont Registry to feature the Dupont Collection in the magazine has given the auction a boost. Those vehicles will also be featured auction display items.
A radio and print advertising blitz south of the border in Washington and Oregon as well as Alberta is designed to bring in a strong contingent of bidders.
“The Americans enjoy a 10 per cent premium on their dollar when they buy vehicles in Canada,” Heard says.
He expects to top the 58 vehicles sold out of the 116 offered at last year’s inaugural event.
“We put buyers and sellers together for another eight deals after the auction,” he says. “This year, there will be more vehicles and more buyers.”
This is a once- a- year event for gearheads and people who like special interest vehicles of all types, he says.
“It’s about putting on an event that allows as many people as possible to experience the best of what the hobby offers, and it will all be there on one weekend in one place,” Heard says.
For more information, visit vancouvercollectorcars.com.