Charity Support a Centerpiece of Barrett-Jackson’s Palm Beach Event
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., March 24, 2008 - South Florida’s hottest celebrities and prominent socialites will join the Barrett-Jackson Auction Company to kick off the 6th Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event in Palm Beach at the Opening Night Gala on Wednesday from 7-10:30 p.m. Tickets to the annual charity gathering are $80 each, with all proceeds benefiting the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and The Darrell Gwynn Foundation.
The event marks the beginning of the East Coast’s premier automotive lifestyle event, where hundreds of the world’s top collector vehicles will be sold from Thursday through Sunday. For the sixth consecutive year, the gala and auction will take place at the spacious Americraft Expo Center at the South Florida Fairgrounds, located at 9067 Southern Boulevard in West Palm Beach.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children helps prevent child abduction and sexual exploitation, find missing children and assist victims of child abduction and sexual exploitation, their families and the professionals who serve them. Led by former drag racer Darrell Gwynn, The Darrell Gwynn Foundation was founded to help provide for and ultimately cure spinal cord injuries and other debilitating illnesses.
“The annual charity gala is our way of rolling out the red carpet for the residents of Palm Beach,” said Craig Jackson, Chairman/CEO of the Barrett-Jackson Auction Company. “Our guests, who will include celebrities and automotive legends, will enjoy great entertainment, a delectable menu and an electric atmosphere that only a Barrett-Jackson event can generate. The end result of this special night is the money raised for two extraordinary organizations.”
Catering for the charity gala will be provided by Legal Seafood, Macaroni Grill and other Palm Beach-area eateries. Entertainment will include live music from “Heat Wave,” tunes from DJ Marc Evans and an appearance by the XELLENT Vodka Heavenly Angels. A live and silent auction will also be held to benefit the designated charities.
The gala will join a long list of Barrett-Jackson charity initiatives during the Palm Beach auction, as numerous vehicles will be sold to benefit local and national charities. Notable charity vehicles include “Super KITT” and “Attack Mode KITT” from NBC’s “Knight Rider” (Salute to Education), eight vehicles from HBO’s “The Sopranos” (Childrens Hospital Los Angeles), a 1957 Chevrolet convertible custom (The Armed Forces Foundation), a 2008 Saturn Sky which paced the inaugural Fireball Run Rally (Child Rescue Network) and an Eliminator Daytona 500 commemorative boat (The Darrell Gwynn Foundation).
“Amidst the bright lights, beautiful cars and excitement at Barrett-Jackson, our team works diligently to support organizations that put others first,” added Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson. “And the collector car community, along with our generous sponsors, has really stepped up to make philanthropy a top priority at each event.”
Last year, Barrett-Jackson raised approximately $4.5 million for various charities at the Scottsdale and Palm Beach events combined.
About Barrett-Jackson
Established in 1971 and headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Barrett-Jackson specializes in providing products and services to classic and collector car owners, astute collectors and automotive enthusiasts around the world. The company produces the “World’s Greatest Collector Car Events™” in Scottsdale, Palm Beach, Fla. and Las Vegas. Visit www.barrett-jackson.com for more information.
Media Contact
Luke DeRouen lderouen@timepiecepr.com or 214.520.3430 ext. 301 (www.timepiecepr.com)
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – March 18, 2008 - In less than two weeks, the Barrett-Jackson Auction Company will kick off their 6th Annual Collector Car Event in Palm Beach, Fla., with a broad selection of vehicles once again being offered at the exclusive East Coast auction. Corvettes and classics, Bel Airs and Bosses, Porsches and Plymouths, Cords and Caddies and Shelbys and Superbirds, as well as customs, TV “star cars” and a motorcycle and memorabilia from Evel Knievel will be sold at No Reserve on March 26-30, 2008, in West Palm Beach, Fla. SPEED will once again bring the action home with 19 hours of high definition TV coverage.
“We’ve scheduled a diverse and exciting East Coast automotive lifestyle event,” said Craig Jackson, Chairman/CEO of Barrett-Jackson. “Palm Beach is a fantastic setting for the fabulous cars, stellar vendors and nonstop action that will make this year’s event truly memorable. Only Barrett-Jackson makes it possible for anyone to be part of the action with a car for every taste and budget.”
Corvettes
A very comprehensive offering of Corvettes will be represented at the 2008 event in Palm Beach. From the rare 1954 model to a current C6 Z06 Daytona 500 parade car (Lot #643), collectors can choose from significant cars built with a wide spectrum of performance options. Some of the highly anticipated cars include a 1970 ZR-1 LT-1 coupe (Lot #670.1), many “Fuelies” and a 2007 C6 Z06 convertible conversion (Lot #689.3) with a 505 horsepower LS2 engine. Collectors will be able to choose from an array of original, numbers-matching cars, as well as custom Corvettes.
50′s Iron
“1950s-era American cars, including both originals and customs, have risen in popularity over the course of the past year,” noted Jackson. “We have one of our best selections of Bel Airs ever, both customized and stock, including a frame-off restored 1957 Bel Air convertible (Lot #661) that’s a Grand National winner with only 1,000 miles since the restoration and a wild custom 1951 Bel Air coupe (Lot #38). And there are several fuel-injected Bel Airs available this year, which was a fairly rare option.”
Other 1950s-era convertibles available include a 1957 Ford “E” Thunderbird (Lot #378), a stunning 1956 Cadillac El Dorado Biarritz (Lot #672), a 1956 Buick Roadmaster (Lot #686), a 1956 Ford Sunliner (Lot #359.3) and a 1958 Chevrolet Impala (Lot #658). Closed top cars range from a 1957 custom sedan delivery (Lot #39) to a 1954 Buick Super Rivera (Lot #693).
60′s Muscle
“Original Shelbys are very desirable with both old and new collectors,” said Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson. “We have a fine selection of 1960s-era Shelbys, including a 1968 GT500 convertible (Lot #674) that is one of 402 and a 1967 GT500 fastback (Lot #659) that was signed by Carroll Shelby.”
Other coveted Detroit warriors include a 9,000 original mile Plymouth Superbird (Lot #659.1), 1970 Ford 429 Torino Cobra (Lot #640), 1965 Pontiac GT0 (Lot #30.1), 1968 Camaro RS/SS (Lot # 382), “Plum Crazy” 1970 Dodge Super Bee (Lot #380) and several Chevelles. There will also be a number of convertible model muscle cars offered in Palm Beach.
Star Cars
Cars with star power will be in full force in Palm Beach as eight vehicles from HBO’s “The Sopranos” will cross the block, led by Tony Soprano’s 2003 Cadillac Escalade ESV (Lot #633), with net proceeds benefiting Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.
Ford Motor Company will auction a piece of TV history when it sells two KITT Mustangs (Lots #665 & #665.1) used in the “Knight Rider” pilot. Ford partnered with NBC to create the new KITT supercars, inspired by the new Shelby GT500KR. “Super KITT” and “Attack Mode KITT” will be sold as a pair with all proceeds to benefit Salute to Education. Ford, participating dealers and Ford Motor Credit fund Salute to Education, which provides scholarships to college students.
Rounding out the celebrity offerings will be a motorcycle and memorabilia (Lot #650) from the world’s preeminent daredevil, Evel Knievel. The bike, a 1972 Harley Davidson XR 750, will be sold with two jumpsuits, a helmet and boots, as well as X-rays from Knievel’s Caesar’s Palace jump and an original Evel Knievel pinball machine, among other items.
Cool Customs
Customs will also be represented at the Palm Beach event as well as a strong group of Hot Rods. Highlighting this year’s custom lineup is a stunning 1957 Chevrolet convertible (Lot #357), which was built for The Armed Forces Foundation and Super Chevy magazine. Dubbed “Project American Heroes,” the proceeds from the sale of the car will benefit The Armed Forces Foundation, which provides support to the families of fallen or disabled soldiers.
In conjunction with Ford, ROUSH Performance will auction the final 2008 ROUSH P-51 Mustang produced in a limited run of 151 cars. The custom Mustang, which will be sold to benefit Salute to Education, features 510 horsepower, 510 lb/ft of torque and was modeled after the P-51 Mustang warbird aircraft.
Another high-profile car headed to South Florida is a 1967 Ford Mustang “Pit Viper.” The custom fastback is Serial No. 005 from the limited production build by Total Performance Inc. and includes an all aluminum 427ci, 550-plus horsepower small-block Ford engine and a full race suspension.
European Exotics
A stellar group of collector cars from across the pond will find new owners in Palm Beach, led by a 1955 Porsche Speedster (Lot #638.1) and Jaguar XKE roadsters from 1965 and 1967 (Lots #654.1 & #657.1). Austin-Healeys, which have become hot properties, will be well represented by a pristine 1965 3000 Mark III convertible (Lot #654) and two 1960 3000 BT7 roadsters (Lots #360 & #373). For a collector searching for a quirky new addition to their garage, a 1967 Amphicar 770 convertible with right hand drive (Lot #7) will be sold during the first day of the auction.
Barrett-Jackson has also attracted several “great classics” that will parade across the auction block. Underscoring this segment is an immaculate 1948 Lincoln Convertible (Lot #637), a 1948 Lincoln Continental coupe (Lot #352) with only 70,000 miles and a 1937 Cord (Lot #638).
Another popular trend that will continue this year in Palm Beach will be the Barrett-Jackson Automobilia Auction. The one-of-a-kind automobile collectibles will be offered at No Reserve prior to the start of the vehicle auction on March 27-30. The 6th Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event in Palm Beach will be kicked off by the annual Opening Night Gala for charity on March 26.
“We will once again work very hard to raise money for a group of worthy charities,” stated Davis. “Our gala will benefit The Darrell Gwynn Foundation and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. And Salute to Education, a designated Ford charity, will benefit from the sale of six high-profile offerings and receive 10 percent of the gate totals on Sunday, March 30.”
About Barrett-Jackson
Established in 1971 and headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Barrett-Jackson specializes in providing products and services to classic and collector car owners, astute collectors and automotive enthusiasts around the world. The company produces the “World’s Greatest Collector Car Events™” in Scottsdale, Palm Beach, Fla. and Las Vegas. Visit www.barrett-jackson.com for more information.
Media Contact
Luke DeRouen lderouen@timepiecepr.com or 214.520.3430 ext. 301 (www.timepiecepr.com)
Set up is underway in Indianapolis for the series of Mecum Auction, Muscle Cars and More LIVE collector car auctions beginning Saturday, March 29th and running 6 consecutive Saturday nights through May 3rd. The weekly auctions, which are open to buyers, sellers, and spectators, will also be broadcast live from the Indiana State Fairgrounds on HD Theater, a Discovery Network, from 8-11pm (EST.)
Shown here are the first stages of set-up including hanging vintage neon signs from the Dave Christenholz collection. This collection of 150 signs will be on display at the weekly auctions and will be sold during Dana Mecum's Original Spring Classic Auction, May 15-18, 2008. The Spring Classic, which has traditionally been held in Northern Illinois region, will move this year to the Indiana State Fairgrounds.
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All Proceeds to Benefit to Ford’s “Salute to Education” Program
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., March 14, 2008 - Ford Motor Company will auction a piece of TV history when it sells two of the actual KITT Ford Shelby Mustangs used in NBC’s “Knight Rider” pilot at the 6th Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event on March 29, 2008, in West Palm Beach, Fla. The cars, which will be sold to benefit Salute to Education, appeared as Ford Shelby GT500KRs that had been transformed into a “Knight Industries 3000″ (KITT) for the show. SPEED will broadcast the sale of the KITT Mustangs live during its auction coverage in the Americraft Expo Center at the South Florida Fairgrounds.
“The Barrett-Jackson Automotive lifestyle event in Palm Beach always attracts many celebrities, and this year someone will take home two genuine TV stars,” said Steve Davis, president of the Barrett-Jackson Auction Company. “This is a once in a lifetime chance to own a pair of celebrity cars with extraordinary star power, while also supporting a worthy charity. Imagine going to the office or dropping your kid off at school in KITT. Ford and Barrett-Jackson are offering a chance to live the ‘Knight Rider’ experience every day.”
Ford partnered with NBC to create a new KITT supercar, inspired by the new Shelby GT500KR, to star in the “Knight Rider” TV series which premiered on NBC on February 17, 2008. “Super KITT” and “Attack Mode KITT” will be sold as a pair (Lot #665 and #665.1) with all proceeds to benefit Salute to Education.
Ford Motor Company, participating Ford and Lincoln Mercury dealers and Ford Motor Credit fund Salute to Education. Through programs such as Salute to Education, more than $7 million has been given to high school students over the last 16 years to jumpstart their education with scholarships for college.
“Super KITT” was built using a black Mustang GT with 4.6 Liter V8 that was upfitted with a Ford Racing Whipple Super-charger to make 500 horsepower. Additional performance elements include 6-piston Brembo Brakes, FRC500 Suspension Pak, High Flow Ford Racing X-Pipe and Ford Racing mufflers with stainless tips. The exterior sports a GT500KR fiberglass hood with a KITT heartbeat light, GT500 front and rear bumper covers, matte black LeMans stripes, matte finish rocker panels, GT500KR rear spoilers and 20″ forged aluminum wheels.
“Attack Mode KITT” began as a black Mustang GT with 4.6 Liter V8, auto transmission, custom front valance/grille based on the GT500KR, carbon graphite chin spoiler, custom rear bumper cover, custom side faux air scoops, custom side skirt/rocker panel, two-tiered rear spoiler, custom rear window insert, custom turn signal trim, custom headlight trim brow and 20″ forged black aluminum wheels. Performance features include Brembo Brakes, a FRC Suspension Pak and Ford Racing mufflers with stainless tips.
“We’re pleased to offer these cars, which have already become cultural icons, at the Barrett-Jackson Auction in Palm Beach,” added Robert Parker, car marketing manager for Ford Motor Company. “‘Knight Rider’ gave the public an opportunity to see some of the capabilities of the new 540 horsepower Ford Shelby GT500KR, though the standard production model does not include all the ‘enhancements’ made to KITT. The new owner of these cars will have a piece of Hollywood and also help thousands of students realize their dream for a college or university education.”
The two KITT cars were created to look like the new Ford Shelby GT500KR pony cars created by Ford Motor Company and Shelby Automomobiles. The 5.4 Liter 540-horsepower Ford Shelby GT500KR is the most powerful factory-built Mustang ever produced. Approximately 1,000 total 2008 coupes will be built at Shelby’s facility in Las Vegas and arrive in dealerships this summer.
With all proceeds benefiting Salute to Education, the two KITT cars will join a long list of cars in Palm Beach that will be auctioned for charity including several from the hit HBO series “The Sopranos.” On March 26, Barrett-Jackson will host their annual Opening Night Gala to raise money for The Darrell Gwynn Foundation and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. During the 2007 Palm Beach event, Barrett-Jackson raised over $500,000 for various charities.
About Barrett-Jackson
Established in 1971 and headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Barrett-Jackson specializes in providing products and services to classic and collector car owners, astute collectors and automotive enthusiasts around the world. The company produces the “World’s Greatest Collector Car Events™” in Scottsdale, Palm Beach, Fla. and Las Vegas. Visit www.barrett-jackson.com for more information.
Media Contact
Luke DeRouen lderouen@timepiecepr.com or 214.520.3430 ext. 301 (www.timepiecepr.com)
FIRST BARRETT-JACKSON AUCTION to be BROADCAST in HIGH DEFINITION
HAGERTY FANTASY BID RETURNS to FLORIDA AUCTION
SPEED has once again expanded its broadcast time at the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event and ‘No Reserve’ auction from Palm Beach, Fla. Up two hours from last season to 19; the network will begin live coverage from the South Florida Expo Center on March 27 at Noon, ET.
Bob Varsha, the Voice of Formula One on SPEED, will provide play-by-play and will be joined by Motor Trend magazine editor and on-air auction analyst, Matt Stone. On the auction block, car enthusiast and collector Mike Joy, the Voice of NASCAR on FOX, and former Hot Rod magazine technical editor Steve Magnante will be getting up close and personal with each vehicle. Veteran reporter and automotive connoisseur Rick DeBruhl will be in the staging lanes getting the latest on what’s headed to the block.
“We’ve expanded our coverage as we present our first ever Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event in high definition,” said Rick Miner, SPEED SVP of Production & Operations. “We are so looking forward to bringing the audience a Barrett-Jackson auction in high definition. What better way to showcase the diverse selection of vehicles scheduled for Palm Beach.”
“We want to give the people at Barrett-Jackson a lot of credit as well,” Miner continued. “In order for SPEED to highlight these cars in high definition, Barrett-Jackson, at great expense to them, has brought in a completely upgraded lighting system to accommodate our new broadcast needs. This new lighting will be of great assistance when the audience watches the program.”
Two of the stars among the hundreds of cars to be sold at ‘No Reserve’ in this year’s Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach auction will be two specially modified Ford Mustang GTs, known as ‘KITT’ and ‘Attack Mode KITT,’ headliners of the recent ‘made-for-television’ movie re-make of hit 1980s television show, Knight Rider. Another famous Mustang will also be on hand, as Total Performance’s completely customized 550+ horsepower 1967 Fastback known as ‘Pit Viper’ will also go across the block.
“We’re thrilled that SPEED will be expanding its outstanding coverage of our Palm Beach event,” said Craig Jackson, Chairman/CEO of Barrett-Jackson. “Over the last 11 years, the SPEED team has been instrumental in the growth of our automotive lifestyle events, as well as in the overall evolution of the hobby. And we’ve upped the ante once again by offering this year’s Palm Beach auction coverage in high definition.”
The popular Hagerty Fantasy Bid game will return for the Palm Beach auction. Starting at Noon on March 28, bidders who earn the most points throughout a day of fantasy bidding will win an all-expense paid ‘World Class Driving Experience.’ This grand prize is a unique opportunity to drive a selection of expensive and exotic machinery like a Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, Ferrari F430, Chevrolet Corvette Z06, Porsche 911 GT3, Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera, Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren, Audi R8 and others.
To participate, fantasy bidders must log onto www.SPEEDtv.com during the live broadcast. On the site, click the ‘Hagerty Fantasy Bid’ logo, or keyword type ‘bid’ and follow the on-screen instructions. Each vehicle will be previewed on SPEED at least 10 minutes prior to crossing the auction block, opening each Fantasy Bid session. Once ‘real life’ bidding starts, fantasy bidding closes. The contestants closest to the closing gavel price without going over will be declared the winner.
| Thursday, March 27 |
12pm (Live) |
9pm* (Same Day) |
| Friday, March 28 |
12pm (Live) |
8pm* (Same Day) |
| Saturday, March 29 |
12pm (Live) |
- |
*Same Day Broadcast Delay
` **Hagerty Fantasy Bid |
SPEED is the nation’s first and foremost cable television network dedicated to motor sports and the passion for everything automotive. From racing to restoration, motorcycles to movies, SPEED delivers quality programming from the track to the garage. Now available in more than 78 million homes in North America, SPEED is among the fastest-growing sports cable networks in the country and, the home to NASCAR on SPEED and an industry leader in interactive TV, video on demand, mobile initiatives and broadband services. For more information, please visit SPEEDtv.com, the online motor sports authority.
Media Information
David Harris – SPEED
Dave.Harris@SPEEDtv.com
704/731/2107
Net Proceeds from “The Sopranos” Cars to Benefit Childrens Hospital Los Angeles
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., February 28, 2008 – Cars and SUVs driven by the famous TV mobsters on “The Sopranos” will be sold at No Reserve during the 6th Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event on March 26-30, 2008, in West Palm Beach, Fla. A total of eight vehicles from the award winning HBO series will cross the block, led by Tony Soprano’s 2003 Cadillac Escalade ESV, with net proceeds benefiting Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. SPEED will once again bring the action home with 19 hours of TV coverage during the auction as approximately 600 of the finest collector vehicles are sold at No Reserve. For the sixth consecutive year, the event will take place at the spacious Americraft Expo Center at the South Florida Fairgrounds, located at 9067 Southern Boulevard in West Palm Beach.
“From the biggest show on television to the biggest stage in the collector car industry, these movie star vehicles will demand the spotlight in Palm Beach,” said Craig Jackson, Chairman/CEO of the Barrett-Jackson Auction Company. “A staple in American pop culture, ‘The Sopranos’ captured the attention of viewers across the globe, much like Barrett-Jackson events are watched by devoted car enthusiasts worldwide on SPEED. We’re thrilled to join forces with HBO for this special project to help raise funds for Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.”
The signature piece of “The Sopranos” collection is the white 2003 Cadillac Escalade driven by mob boss Tony Soprano during the final three seasons of the series. Scheduled for sale during SPEED’s primetime coverage on Saturday, March 29, the fully loaded Escalade has only 11,000 miles on the odometer and features clear, untinted windshields for exterior camera shots of the show’s leading character.
Another high-profile car headed to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach is the champagne 2003 Cadillac CTS utilized by one of Tony’s top soldiers, Paulie Walnuts. The CTS is infamous for its demolition of Christopher Moltisanti’s new front yard in the “Kennedy and Heidi” episode during Season 6. Two more vehicles that played key roles in Season 6, a red 1997 Mercury Villager minivan driven by Tony and Paulie and a black Cadillac Deville driven by crew member Vito Spatafore, will also be sold.
“When a TV series becomes as popular as ‘The Sopranos,’ the cars driven by the larger-than-life characters become stars as well,” added Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson. “Another factor that adds to the value of these celebrity vehicles is the ‘staying power’ of the series. Decades from now, ‘The Sopranos’ will still be appreciated as one of the top series in TV history, making these star cars significant well into the future.”
A pair of blue Lincoln Town Cars, utilized by rival gangster Phil Leotardo and the New York-based Lupertazzi crime family, will be sold as a pair in Palm Beach. The two cars were featured in numerous episodes of “The Sopranos,” most notably in the climactic Bada Bing shootout scene in “The Blue Comet” episode during Season 6. Additional cars from that high-energy scene that will be auctioned include two 1993 Cadillacs driven by Patsy Parisi, which will be sold together.
With net proceeds benefiting Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, “The Sopranos” vehicles will join a long list of cars in Palm Beach that will be auctioned for charity. On March 26, Barrett-Jackson will host their annual Opening Night Gala to raise money for The Darrell Gwynn Foundation and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. During the 2007 Palm Beach event, Barrett-Jackson raised over $500,000 for various charities.
About Barrett-Jackson
Established in 1971 and headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Barrett-Jackson specializes in providing products and services to classic and collector car owners, astute collectors and automotive enthusiasts around the world. The company produces the “World’s Greatest Collector Car Events™” in Scottsdale, Palm Beach, Fla. and Las Vegas. Visit www.barrett-jackson.com for more information.
Media Contact
Luke DeRouen lderouen@timepiecepr.com or 214.520.3430 ext. 301 (www.timepiecepr.com)
Revving up its programming engine, today HD Theater and Mecum Auction Company announced MECUM AUTO AUCTION: MUSCLE CARS AND MORE, the first live high-definition auto auction weekly series covering Mecum’s premier events, specializing in high-end muscle cars, timeless classics and rare exotics. MECUM AUTO AUCTION:MUSCLE CARS AND MORE premieres Saturday, March 29 from 8-11 PM ET on HD Theater, Discovery Network’s original HD network which brought viewers the first live HD footage from space in 2006 and from an Antarctic solar eclipse in 2003. The live series runs for six consecutive Saturdays starting March 29 and then culminates with a special grand finale on Saturday, May 17 from 2-6 and 8-11 PM ET live from Mecum’s 21st Annual Spring Classic, where over 1,000 cars will hit the auction block.
MECUM AUTO AUCTION will broadcast live each Saturday night from Mecum Auction Company’s event at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis. Each episode will feature approximately 60 collectors’ cars live from the auction block as bidders vie for some of the hottest rides and coolest classics. The series not only profiles the amazing cars, eccentric collectors and deal-by-deal auction drama, but also explores the behind-the-scene process of these high-end automotive auctions, including the crucial evaluation process.
According to Mecum Auction Company’s CEO Dana Mecum, “MECUM AUTO AUCTION: MUSCLES CAR AND MORE will showcase our highly-spirited automotive auctions, which blend some of the best dramatic elements of sports, reality and game shows. Each auction features real buyers and sellers in a competitive display of bidding prowess, while contemplating the crucial car-by-car question of ‘What’s it worth?”
“HD Theater is excited to partner with Mecum Auction Company and present the dynamic live action of their collector car auctions,” stated Clint Stinchcomb, executive vice president and general manager of HD Theater and Turbo Media. “MECUM AUTO AUCTION represents our commitment to transport HD Theater’s viewers to compelling live events and capture in HD the meticulous craftsmanship and artistic detail of these spectacular cars.”
The Mecum Auction Company, with corporate headquarters located in Marengo, Ill., is in its 21st year of selling collector cars, specializing in muscle cars and Corvettes. Mecum also produces the Bloomington Gold Corvettes USA show, which is in its 35th year. In 2008, Mecum will host and manage 14 auctions across the United States and expects to sell its 50,000th car in the spring.
The first 24-hour high-definition network to broadcast all of its content in brilliant 1080i and 5.1 digital surround sound, HD Theater offers compelling real-world and motorized content from a wide range of categories including adventure, technology, nature and world culture – all designed to provide viewers with the highest-quality television experience available. Discovery Communications is the number-one nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in over 170 countries. Discovery's 100-plus worldwide networks are led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, The Science Channel, Discovery Health, Military Channel and HD Theater, with digital media properties including HowStuffWorks.com. Discovery Communications is owned by Discovery Holding Co. (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB), Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, Discovery's founder and chairman. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com/.
PRESS CONTACTS:
David Schaefer, HD Theater
Discovery Networks
240-662-2954
David_Schaefer@discovery.com
Cindy Meitle, Mecum
Media Relations
480-659-9413
Cindy@carprusa.com
Eric De Bord, PROtential
Sponsorships/Advertising
847-922-3813
eric.debord@protential.com
** Photography and Artwork Available at www.press.discovery.com**
