Planet Barrett Jackson

[MIKE@RIDETECH]

Bret is out at Barrett Jackson this week with the 33. Ill be posting his daily update for everyone.

Monday, Day 1

In what has become a semi regular occurrence, we are selling a couple cars at the Barrett Jackson auction in Scottsdale this year. I am going to attempt to provide a daily update from the auction. Please, no snoring.

Why are you selling your 33 Ford??

I know I've been asked that 40 times. It was really an easy decision.

I've often said "the happiness is in the achieving, not the having". The RideTech 33 was intended to be a showcase for our road racing and autocross efforts to promote our new coilover shock line. While we were at it, it became a design exercise to create some zoomy sheet metal trim items in the style of old time race cars. ...and to experiment with some new suspension architecture. ...and to play with a light car with unrestricted tire size. ...and to win some races. ...and to get some exposure in the magazines or other media.

The reality is...we've achieved all that. Cover of HOTROD and 10 pages inside...outrunning a Lamborghini by a second per lap...winning the Optima Road America race...winning the Goodguys' autocross championship...top 5 and top 10 Optima Ultimate Street Car...it'll be a long time before we see that level of success again (or maybe not) What now? Anything I do with this car will pale in comparison to what I've already done with it. Do I let it sit in a building to gather dust and deteriorate? Do I continue to race it and let it become...common?

No, the best thing to do...the ONLY thing to do... is make it someone else's. A new owner will jump start the cars popularity and pedigree. Or it may be squirreled away in some nameless collection somewhere never to be heard from again...a chance I'll have to take.

The side benefit to selling the 33 is to make room in the garage...AND the pocketbook. Like everyone else reading this, I've got limitations on both. There is no doubt that the sale will free up precious garage space...hopefully it will free up enough funds to get the next epic Hotrod done!

What if it doesn't bring enough?

There is no "enough". I've always said if you're doing this stuff to make money you're doing it for the wrong reason. Whatever price the car brings is what it is truly worth....and will be more than I'd get by letting it sit in a storage building. While I am obviously confident it will bring a fair price, the car has already paid for itself in smiles per miles.

Will I miss it? Well, I'll miss hearing the aluminum 427 warm up...I'll miss being able to brake 100 feet later than everyone else going into a turn because I'm 1000 lbs lighter...I'll miss seeing people's reactions at the outrageousness of the whole car.

But those are all reasons why the new owner will want to become the new owner. I guess its kind of like sending your child off to college...a bittersweet day to be sure, but you sure wouldn't change it.

My impending sadness will somehow and somewhat dissipate after cashing the check. I'm confident it will be completely gone by the time I hit the apex of the first turn this spring in my new ride.

Until then...it'll be a long week here at Barrett Jackson. Lots of hours, lots of people, lots of fun. I hope to be able to give you all a daily report.

Till tomorrow!

Bret Voelkel
President, Ridetech

[MIKE@RIDETECH]

Taken during the HOTROD Magazine photo shoot.


Only 48 hrs after the 33 returned from Scottsdale Goodguys' event. Dis-assembly was under way for a freshening before its final voyage back to Scottsdale for Barrett Jackson.


Only a few days later it was in the booth and prepped for interior repaint.


After the interior dried the exterior was sprayed in its new tuxedo gloss black finish.


Then Dennis, Kurt, & Greg were back to reassembling with all the new or freshened parts.


The crew can verify the 33 is cleaner now than its ever been. Special thanks to Trent and the Goodguys' organization for the ride!


On of the 33's dirtier days. This was after Bret did his best Tasmanian Devil impersonation at Motorstate Challenge in 2012




BUMP...... Didn't feel a thing :jump:

[glassman]

Very nice!!!!

And very well explained mr. v. Good luck down there and have a drink for me

[MIKE@RIDETECH]

Tuesday, Day 2
I have to say...the Barrett Jackson people have this auction thing down pat. EVERYTHING has its process, beginning with submitting a car to be accepted into the auction. I won't bore you with the details on that (its online for the curious) but I will add that the level of organization is impressive.

The other thing that is impressive is how nice everyone is here. I think Craig Jackson must have sent everyone to charm school! Everyone here is all about "thanks...have a great day...thanks for coming...good luck with your sale...". Humans like that stuff.

I'm told there is 900,000 sq ft of covered display space here. That is over 22 acres. Plus all the outside displays. It seems like more. Especially about 9:00 at night after being here all day!

We've made kind of a big deal about selling the 33 Ford, but we are also selling Sharon's 71 GTO convertible on Friday afternoon. It's likely the best all around road car we've ever had, but she's not a convertible girl (too hot, too cold, too windy, might rain, I can't get the top latched, insert excuse here). So we're going to build her a 67 Chevelle this summer. That means we need room in the garage and the pocketbook. It's got everything going for it...red, good suspension and brakes, billet wheels, stereo, A/C, overdrive trans...and a good sale spot. It should do well. I'm probably more disappointed to see that GTO leave than I am the 33, but I just can't stand to have a car sitting around and not drive it. Bad karma in my book.

The vibe here is great this year...everyone seems in a good mood and eager to buy their dream car. I've not heard anyone whining about the economy or slow business. It sure seems busy here for a Tuesday...Friday and Saturday should be a madhouse!

On to Wednesday!

Bret Voelkel
President, Ridetech


This is one of 6 huge tents outside that house the auction cars. Plus all the inside display space. I want to own the tent company this week :-)


Really high end and realistic driving simulator. I've built real cars that cost less!


Yeah, I know there's a guy in the way. It took me 10 minutes to get it this good!


The cars are the stars, but you'll find all kinds of ...unusual...stuff here. Loved these wooden model aircraft!


Sharon's GTO is a performer that the whole family can enjoy. We hope the new owners enjoy it as much as we have.


The GTO's final day at the RideTech stable.

[MIKE@RIDETECH]

Wednesday, day 3
Lots of different reasons for selling a car at Barrett Jackson. For some people, its just another path to get rid of a car. For others it's a lifelong bucket list item to be fulfilled. Then there's the "serial sellers"... the guys who bring anywhere from 5 to 25 cars every year to sell.
For me it's simply the most productive way to sell a car in order to move on to the next project. The 33 Ford is a perfect example...what is it worth? I know what I've got in it, but in reality nobody cares about that except me. Barrett Jackson is a brutally honest place...whatever your car brings here is what it is truly worth, no matter what the owner may think. There is no place richer with knowledgeable buyers, and no place has a larger variety off the finest cars in the world. If a seller can't find a buyer here, then it's just not meant to be!
I've never seen this many people here on a Tuesday and Wednesday...the auction ring is full already. Typically that does not happen until Friday. There's already lines at the food vendors and the restrooms. I'm sure the perfect 78 degree weather does not hurt anything either!
I think the robust health of this event is very meaningful for our hobby as a whole. Most of the cars being sold will be replaced. That means new parts and services will be bought. This fact has me more excited than even the prospect of whatever the hammer price will be on my cars!
Sharon and some others from the shop are arriving today. This is their wintertime retreat from the 10 degree weather in Indiana. My wife typically has maybe 3 drinks per year...she has already indicated she'll get her annual quota in the first night here!
Ahh, yes...the bidders bar. This maybe the single greatest marketing feat ever invented, Barrett Jackson provides all bidders with a card that allows you 10 free drinks per day. The lines here are typically long...none of these rich *******s can pass up anything free! While this situation may not have any effect on the truly large dollar cars, I cannot help but think that it lubricates the hell out of the $50,000 to $200,000 purchases. The bidders bar is what inspired my assessment that the Barrett Jackson auction is the largest combination of testosterone, money, and alcohol in the world!
Till Thursday!
Bret Voelkel
President, Ridetech


This may look a little sparse, but consider this is on a Wednesday afternoon...does anyone have a job?


Yeah, yeah...I think I'll buy a helicopter!


When you own the company, I guess you get to park your favorite toys any damn place you like. With two security guards. Craig jackson...you're my hero!


This 67 Camaro equipped with a complete RideTech CoilOver kit was auctioned off for the Phoenix Children's Hospital. The car crossed the block Tuesday evening bringing a total of $75,000 after fees. Built by Heath Elmer Restorations in conjunction with Classics For Causes in memory of Danielle Hudson.


This 72 Winnebago went for $12,100 and had a nice low stance with western meets retro and a twist of "****ters full" interior. It was cool just not big enough for the RideTech crew.


Friday Sharon's 71 GTO is set to be auctioned on FOX Sports 1 between 10am and 5pm or on FOX Business between 5pm and 8pm. The 33 Ford auction will air Saturday on FOX between 11am and 1pm or on National Geographic between 1pm and 8pm. As soon as we able to narrow down the time slots we will update the posted schedule.


The American way!

[wiedemab]

This pic should be captioned with - -

"and people who can do stoppies on motorcycles thought they were cool!"

[GregWeld]

Bret ----


The mini winnie was sold by a buddy.... My guess is he paid about 2K for it.



RE: Barrett Jackson


This is where I was first exposed to the big stacker hauler... modified trucks... OPTIMA was a big outside display (they went out of business).


Best of luck with your sales!!!!

[hifi875]

The guy who consigned my father in laws cars the past 2 years bought that charity 67 camaro. He's from outside of bowling green ky. He is one of those serial sellers and buyers at all the b- j auctions. He takes usually 3-4 cars to each auction

[MIKE@RIDETECH]

Updated: Sharon's GTO should be auctioned on either FOX Sports 1 between 2pm and 9pm or on FOX Business between 9pm and 12am. On Saturday the 33 Ford will either be on FOX between 3pm and 5pm or on National Geographic between 5pm and 12am. All times listed are EST.

[MIKE@RIDETECH]

Thursday Day 4
It's been a long week, but a really good one so far. The crowds are huge and in a good mood. As usual, the good cars are bringing good money. The continuing trend is that nicely modified cars are bring better money than the completely original cars...by a lot. Obviously that plays well for us


This is a well educated group of buyers...they know the difference between good body work and stunning body work...and are willing to make the investment to get what they want. The questions we've gotten this week on the cars have been a step beyond "how much horsepower does it make". These guys are more likely to ask about how many hours did it take to make this widget in the interior. It's been fun to see what detail draws people's attention. Hopefully there are at least 2 people who understand the level of refinement we bring to these cars...and are willing to pay for it!

I'll check back in after the GTO sells this afternoon.

Bret Voelkel

President, Ridetech


I can't seem to get away from this car!


Suspension porn on a McLaren.


Interior porn on a Falcon. (Not the Ford)


You gotta love stainless palm trees! This would look right at home in Indiana.


If you've got a car you've gotta have tie downs. Macs is all we use!


This monster is selling on Saturday. The definition of "where else but Barrett Jackson!"