OT, Barrett/Jackson 07' This Week

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

This has been my favorite thing to watch in the winter time when there are no races through the off

season on Speed Channel. Each year brings a bigger high with the biggest being the Future liner last january..

I can't wait to see what will top the future liner. Thats going to be tough!

Happy 35th Barrett/Jackson,  If Ron Pratte is there, [he was the buyer of the future liner] I'm sure he will be

spending some big bucks. Here is a pic of his museum.

Nick-

[larryh]

I was fortunate yesterday to get invited to preshow for owner/sellers and look for the Shelbys original personal car to be big seller this year along with the 12 pairs his&hers plus OCC units.

it is a beautiful show.

LarryH

[captain ron]

Each year brings a bigger high with the biggest being the Future liner last january..

I can't wait to see what will top the future liner. Thats going to be tough!

Nick-

Well here it is folks         

Quote from owner "Next Stop  Barrett/Jackson"

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Top Sellers on Day 1

And the $175.000 Shelby

[tekebird]

I communicated with the guy with the white elephant Neoplan.

he thinks what he has is gold despite the low budget Limobus interior.

Dumb-A@* that he is he probably paid 60k for the shell.

It amazes me what some people think thier Junk ( True Junk) is worth.

I am sure that thing has loads of hidden rust too......covered up with that paint job.

Barrett Jackson would not even let that thing in the State of AZ let alone on their auction block.........

and even if they would it would get stuck on the ramp to the block.

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

I'm researching the Kenny Howard Converted Bus that is due on the block

at Barrett/Jackson. I'll keep ya posted...


It sounds like Kenny Howard is the imfamous "Von Dutch".  Here is what I found, but nothing on his bus yet..


Pinstriping on cars and motorcycles was a dead art when 15-yr. old Kenny Howard went to work in George Beerup's motorcycle shop in the mid-forties. The last automobile striping on an American car was done by General Motors in 1938. Then, in the mid-fifties, customizers brought it back in style in mostly radical form believing they were doing something entirely new! Kenny, the motorcycle mechanic was the man who started this "new" vogue under the name "Von Dutch."

Dutch's Dad was a well known designer, sign painter and gold leaf man in the South LA area known as Maywood. The well known Western Exterminator Logo is an example of his work that lives on today.

Dutch would occasionally bring a bike home from Beerup's shop borrow his Dad's brushes to put pinstripes all over it. When Beerup saw what Dutch had accomplished, he couldn't believe it, and moved him from mechanical work to painting and striping. For the next decade, he built a reputation that he really never wanted.

"I'm a mechanic first." he used to say, "If I had my way I'd be a gunsmith! I like to make things out of metal, because metal is forever. When you paint something, how long does it last? A few years, and then it's gone!"

For the next several years Dutch painted and pinstriped nothing but motorcycles, moving from shop to shop, saturating each area. By the mid-fifties he had done thousands of bikes, but very few cars. Striping cars started as a joke when he was working at Al Titus' motorcycle shop in Linwood, California. The whole car striping idea started to 'snowball' and he was there.

He was approached by a guy known as the Crazy Arab,  who thought it could be worked into a full-time occupation. Dutch didn't believe it, but he tried it, and for the next three years he worked at it until it just drove him nuts!

When Dutch quit striping in 1958, he was still in great demand. Customizers from all over the country had heard of him, and cars came from as far away from the L.A. area as New York to be "Dutched." When a car owner came to him, he didn't tell Dutch what he wanted, he just told him how much 'time' he wanted to purchase. The designs were up to Dutch, and many of them were created way down deep in the recesses of his eccentric imagination. He had hundreds of imitators and followers; Shakey Jake, The Barris Brothers, Tweetie, Slimbo, Big Daddy Ed Roth and many others

[tekebird]

whats the lot # on the bus

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

I'm still looking for kenny's bus.. But I just found a Flex.....



1952 FLXIBLE CUSTOM DAYCOACH MOTOR HOME
Lot Number:      1556

Options
Engine:                           534
Transmission Type:   AUTOMATIC
Horsepower:                350
Cylinders:                      8
Exterior Color:             RED
Interior Color:              BIEGE



Description
A 1952 motor coach, restored to perfection. The Land Yacht conversion was accomplished by the Custom Couch Co in 1961. No. 967. This unique features all of the amenities found in the most modern motor homes, combined with the classic retro elegance of Day Couch travel. All systems are fully operational. The upgrade specifications include flat screen TV,DVD,CD, individual control heating and air-conditioning in both forward and rear cabins, stereo sound, sleeping for 4, roof observation deck with interior and exterior access. The bath shines with a very rare and correct stainless Travel Lav with shower. The decor includes new wall to wall carpeting with a full protective runner, new upholstery, all tastefully appointed. The rear compartment converts to sleeping berths, reminiscent of stately rail travel. There is extensive storage capability, with 2 full wardrobes, 11 large drawers, and double size slideouts under each sofa. The walk in rear compartment is a combination of diamond plate and carpet, and is large enough to carry a motorcycle! There is a full towing package for a trailer. Electrical systems are powered by either the new 10 KW Kohler generator, or by a shore power 50 amp. connection. There is new rubber all around on perfect Alcoa rims. The Zip Dee awnings all have new canvas, along with tinted, screened windows, and privacy curtains. The exterior combines DuPont Imron paint, highly polished stainless steel, superior chrome, and extensive pin striping. An automatic transmission makes for easy driving and it cruises effortlessly at 65MPH. The motor has been thoroughly inspected and repainted to original condition. The steering is tight and responsive. The couch does not require any special license to operate. It has the original owners manuals, factory blue prints, full schematics and original documentation. This vehicle may be used to promote products, as a campaign couch, a corporate entertainment and tailgating bus, or as an elegant private motor home. It has performed in all of these functions in grand style and is truly "one of a kind". If there were a Concours d'Elegance for motor coaches, this would definitely be a winner!!

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Here is another bus

1935 WHITE  CUSTOM TOUR BUS CONVERTIBLE
Lot Number:      1047

Options
Engine:                           454
Transmission Type:   3-SPEED
Horsepower:                365
Cylinders:                      V8
Exterior Color:             WHITE
Interior Color:              BROWN



Description
Engine- 454 Vortex 2002, auto transmission, power disc brakes, coil spring front-suspension, power steering, stainless steel exhaust, 200 amp charging system nut & bolt complete restoration, with only a few test miles. Interior-custom leather wrap around seating for 13, custom wood work, breathtaking cut glass rear window, custom engrave copper trim, bar stereo. Large custom tailgate trunk, hidden ice coolers, big screen TV. Seating for 14, Exterior-custom paint large convertible top, side shirts, stainless steel side pipes.

[tekebird]

The Flx is a Custom Coach unit

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Doug,

I can't seem to find the pictures of Kenny's bus. From what I saw on the tube, it looked like an old transit bus

or a flexable that was in poor condition. I belive they are selling it on the fact that the owner was very famous?...

And he lived in it for many years....

Nick-

[gg04]

Von Dutch had an old converted 1940's  schoolie..with a flying eyeball blasted into the rear glass..was a featured bus in hot rod back in the late 60's early 70's last I heard it was setting junked out in the west...gg

[gg04]

Had not thought about this for years so this made me go searching...the old skoolie is what got me started in buses...but memory fails..seems von Dutch had a transit GM completely stripped now ..Did anyone else  on this board travel the early to mid 60's car and drag race events??? If so whose set up was an old converted skoolie? old minds want to know...gg

[captain ron]

How do you search the B/J auction site to find what they have? I went to their site but found no way to search inventory.
A link would be appreciated.

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

gg & Cap. Ron,

Here is the link to search the 07' Vehicle listings for Barrett/Jackson   http://www.barrett-jackson.com/appstest/carlist/carlistfilter.aspx?auctionid=221

I saw the Von Dutch Bus with my own eyes, last night they had a preview of it as to be on the block sunday...

It's for sure a transit bus, maybe from the 60's or 50's

Nick-