[Chrysler300] Elvis has left the building...maybe

["Louis M. Barrie" <lmbarrie@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Friday night about 10:30 PM, Big Yellow was rolled on the auction floor
at the Russo and Steele auction in Monterey.

 

It had been a long day, with Big Yellow being parked in front of the
Marriott and having a large crowd of lookers and gawkers all during the
gray, overcast day.  We had much more foot traffic and photographers than
the Corvettes, Hemi Cudas, Caddies and assorted Porsches and Chevys. I
anxiously checked back several times during the day to be sure that Big
Yellow had not been desecrated by an errant seagull. Fortunately, they knew
to stay away!

 

The earlier drive up the coast from Morro Bay, along Pacific Coast Highway
was truly spectacular, with panoramic picture postcard views of California's
coast from the cliffs. It was worth the extra time rather than cruising the
freeway. I would NOT recommend taking the brutes on such a trip - there are
no gas stations past Hearst Castle until Big Sur. Several sections of the
road were under repair and were only one lane with either a flagman or
traffic signal. There were no long delays, however.  As we came into
Monterey, the traffic slowed to a crawl. The town was abuzz with Pebble
Beach week and there were tons of exotic and classic cars around us. From
Deusenbergs, to Packards, to Ferraris (plentiful) and Bentleys, everything
could be seen.

 

Back to the auction.  

 

When we arrived in the auction room, it was bustling with action and very
crowded.  They auctioneer was pushing every car to the limit and they were
running late.  We were supposed to on the block between 9:00 and 9:30PM and
now it's after 10 and the crowd was starting to thin.  Finally, Big Yellow
rolls onto the floor and the bidding quickly opens at $50k and shoots up to
$85k. I am on the floor with the auction reps and a bidder is asking me
questions about my documentation (which is extensive). Suddenly, the car is
rolled off the floor and the bidding ends, not reaching reserve.  No push.
No opening of the trunk to show the 1960 dealer color and swatch book, not
talking about the 1 of 3 sunburst yellow color or the car's history, not
talking about the numerous concours wins and publications around the world.
Nothing.  No idea as to why the quick pass.

 

Big Yellow is now on its way back to LA where it is going to stay.  Eileen
seems to become more attached to Big Yellow than she has led me to believe,
and I was regretting placing to car up for auction in the first place. Our
daughter, now 19 and in college, was sad that the prospect of the auction
and happy at the "No Sale". You see, we have had Big Yellow for 10 years -
she named the car from one of the bedtime stories that I used to read to her
and had only recently had the opportunity to drive our family 300F!

 

Monterey is a fun place to be during Pebble Beach Week. Incredible cars to
see and feel - I will post links to pictures shortly. We met some great
people with whom we will stay in touch. Hotels are very overpriced and
scarce as the entire town including Pacific Grove and Carmel are totally
sold out. Make reservations far in advance. We found some great places to
eat away from the tourist traps like The Cannery and Fisherman's Wharf.
There were some good buys out there but plenty of (what I would consider to
be) garbage. Beware.

 

We will go back next year, but as a spectator and maybe a bargain hunter.

 

Louis M. Barrie

West Hills, CA

(Still) Home of Big Yellow (Hopefully for a very long time!!!)

 

 

 

 

Louis



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