Milestone Hot Rods, Collector and Celebrity Cars to be Featured in Auction at The Petersen Museum
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--June 3, 2002--One of the most sought after collectible cars, the famed Tucker '48 automobile, will be among the nearly 200 celebrity, classic, collector and special interest cars offered for sale during the Barrett-Jackson Auction at The Petersen Automotive Museum, June 14 and 15 in Los Angeles.
Conceived by Preston Tucker, who intended to mass-produce a "car of the future" with advanced safety, styling and engineering features, only 51 Tuckers were ever built by the Tucker Corp. in 1948; 47 of them are known to survive today. The Tucker being offered, serial no. 7, is a fully restored example.
On the celebrity front, the auction will feature cars once owned by Fred Astaire, Tom Jones and Hugh Hefner. The Astaire car is a 1981 Chrysler Imperial Coupe, specially built under the direction of Lee Iacocca that was given to his wife as a wedding present. Jones imported his 1982 Mercedes-Benz 500SEC to the United States and then had it custom made into a convertible. The car's title is in his given name, Tom Woodward. The Hefner car is a 1969 Mercedes-Benz Pullman LWB 6-door limousine that is pictured in the book "Life Inside the Playboy Mansion."
Also crossing the auction block will be the 1932 Ford Hi-Boy Phaeton Hot Rod that was driven by David Lee Roth and featured in the Van Halen music video "Hot for Teacher."
Headlining the Hot Rod line-up for this year's auction will be the famed 1957 Chevrolet "Chezoom." Probably the most famous '57 Chevy ever, this Boyd Coddington creation built in the early '90s is the most highly modified '57 in the world. Recognized internationally for its timeless design and originality, the car is widely considered an important example of custom automotive design.
Joining the line-up will be some Southern California created prototype and concept cars. A one-off mid-engined streamlined car from 1949 designed and built by Norman E. Timbs and a feature car of the leading automotive publications of the day. Early in its life it was used in an episode of "Buck Rogers" then later in the Nicholas Cage movie, "Gone In 60 Seconds."
Also, a 1961 TrailerBlazer, designed by Vic Hickey, and built along with George Barris and NHRA founder Wally Parks. The car, a pioneer of four-wheel suspension design, was purchased by General Motors along with the design and name rights in 1962, would become the concept for what would ultimately be the Blazer vehicle.
For those seeking the ultimate attention-getting street machine, another car scheduled to cross the auction block will be the famous Al Schieb 1957 Plymouth Fury. Called the "world's wildest street-driven Mopar," this nitrous oxide-powered Fury is fitted with the 460 cu.in. HEMI engine transplanted from the Vel's Parnelli Jones Funny Car of the 1970s.
Classic motorcycles will also be a part of the 2002 Petersen Auction. Recently consigned to the auction is the Rusty Kay Collection of 15 exceptional examples, including a 1915 Excelsior Broad Track Racer and a 1931 Brough Superior that was owned by Steve McQueen in the early 1970s.
The Barrett-Jackson Auction is part of The California Classic Weekend which includes The Petersen Museum's fund raising "Cars and Stars" Gala on Thursday evening, June 13. This year previews the "Million Dollar Cars" exhibit. The California Classic culminates with the "Concours on Rodeo" car show on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills on Sunday, June 16.
The Barrett-Jackson Auction at The Petersen Automotive Museum will be held on Friday, June 14 from 5 to 9 p.m., and Saturday, June 15 from Noon to 7 p.m. Preview will begin at 10 a.m. each day. General admission charge for The Petersen Museum and auction is $10 each day.
The museum is located at 6060 Wilshire Blvd. (at Fairfax Ave.), Los Angeles. Further information about Barrett-Jackson can be found at www.barrett-jackson.com, or by calling 480/421-6694.
