Dave Faries here, on my way to Car Week’s grand finale, Concours d’Elegance. By evening, I will have logged thousands of stunning machines, both old and new, at events and on local streets, over the past 10 days.
But I also come out of Car Week 2024 with a fun read. Charlie Ross, the auctioneer for Gooding & Company, signed my copy of his witty and engaging autobiography, Sold! Ross is something of a celebrity in England—and over here, too; I bumped into the president of the American Charlie Ross Fan Club during the week—for his appearances on the television series Bargain Hunt. He tells me that a sense of humor is important when one is on the rostrum, gavel in hand.
I spoke with him initially by phone before he traveled to Pebble Beach. I was interested in the craft of auctioneering, particularly when it comes to the prized collectible vehicles of Car Week. There are two distinct styles on display at the five auctions—the staccato patter common in the U.S. and the reserve of European events. Yet whether it’s Mecum Auctions, Bonhams, Gooding & Company or the others, there is a common foundation to the art, which you can read about here.
Sometimes the vehicle itself steals attention from the auction stand. This week, Gooding & Company’s star car came with a wild backstory. No spoiler alert here. The tale is also part of the cover story in this week’s issue of the Weekly—as is a piece by Associate Editor Erik Chalhoub on a growing group of collectors unlikely to be interested in the 1938 Alfa Romeo in question. In a look at the future of the hobby, he found that younger generations tend to seek out less exotic vehicles.
Finally, we turn to the folks who represent the last traces of Car Week. Often ignored—except by the owners of their precious cargo—the transport companies are responsible for piecing the key component of Car Week together, breaking it down and sweeping it away. Hauling cars to their many destinations can be a headache. There is also a lot of thought involved.
Putting together this year’s preview coverage was interesting. Then came events after we went to press, which you can read about online. We hope there was one (or more) that caught your attention, as well.
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