Biloxi, MS – October 12, 2009 — The success of the Vicari Motorsports Biloxi 2009 Classic Car Auction at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Convention Center in Biloxi, MS, on October 9 and 10, proved that the recession did not have a strangle-hold on the South. The two-day sale had its best year ever with a record 285 classic, muscle and specialty cars crossing the block. The event, which drew thousands to the brand new Convention Center, assembled some of the finest cars in the region. “We could not have asked for a better venue to have this sale,” commented Pete Vicari, […]
Biloxi, MS – October 12, 2009 — The success of the Vicari Motorsports Biloxi 2009 Classic Car Auction at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Convention Center in Biloxi, MS, on October 9 and 10, proved that the recession did not have a strangle-hold on the South. The two-day sale had its best year ever with a record 285 classic, muscle and specialty cars crossing the block. The event, which drew thousands to the brand new Convention Center, assembled some of the finest cars in the region. “We could not have asked for a better venue to have this sale,” commented Pete Vicari, President of Vicari Mortorsports. “All cars were located in a state-of-the art facility, fully air conditioned and a perfect spot for cruisers to convene. It was a great weekend to return to the Coliseum area after two years of holding the sale in a tent.”
Significant vehicles to cross and sell at the auction block included a 1970 Plymouth Cuda 440 six-pack, which sold for $81,540, a 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air, which sold at $53,460, a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28, which went for $44,820, and a 1940 Ford Deluxe, which sold for $42,660. High sellers also included a 1992 Freightliner, a 1965 and 1966 Chevrolet Corvette, and 1955 Chevrolet Sedan.
The star at this year’s event was the bidding frenzy that accompanied the 1931 Reo 830 Coupe Flying Cloud, a very rare classic and believed to have been owned by Amelia Earhart. The car, fully documented, reached a high bid of $500,000 before it left the auction block. Daniel J Kruse, CAI, long-time auctioneer for the event, was ecstatic after the sale. “The sales rate for this auction proved that the economy seems to be rebounding especially in the South. There was strong bidding in most classes of vehicles, particularly in the muscle car genre. The Biloxi auction seems to be driving a broad section of buyers and sellers to this event and it definitely has become one of the premier auctions in the region.”
The auction, now in its 13th year in Biloxi, has become one the largest regional classic car events of the South. Part of the eleven day Cruisin’ the Coast® program, thousands convene toward the end of the cruise which follows the Mississippi Gulf Coast to Biloxi, for an annual two-day swap meet, car corral, concerts, and of course, nightly cruising down the Gulf Coast highway. This year, Vicari presented at the auction site a collection of race cars from his private collection, along with a Saturday night Cackle Blowout. This year’s sale included internet bidding along with numerous vendors on site. A number of sports memorabilia, signed electric guitars and paintings were sold prior to the auction.
Pete Vicari summed up the weekend as follows: “My staff and I have believed in this sale and in the city of Biloxi. We were there prior to the hurricane and decided to keep having sales even through the downturn of the region. We, as an auction company, have also taken our hits economically as the city rebuilt, but we are proud to be part of the economic renaissance that is happening in Biloxi, and happy to see the great crowds returning to this event.”
ABOUT VICARI MOTORSPORTS: Pete Vicari is President of Vicari Motorsports Classic Auto and Owner of Pete Vicari General Contractor, Inc. – Commercial and Historic Restorations. Nearing 60 years in business, this family-owned, third-generation business is headquartered in Marrero, LA, serves eight southern states and is well known for their philanthropic works. Mr. Vicari is also an auctioneer and his sons PJ and Michael work alongside in the family auction as well as the construction business. In April 2005, the construction company sponsored and built a home as part of ABC’s Extreme Makeover Home Edition. For more information, view www.vicarimotorsports.com or call 504-347-1488.
