Scottsdale Auction Week

 by Willy Vinton
© Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum

Things finally slowed down enough for me to write a little bit about the Scottsdale auction week I attended recently. I didn't buy anything for the museum, but saw some interesting stuff. At right is a very unique and attractive 1916 Stutz Bulldog Special. It has a custom body, much different from our 1918 Bulldog. These cars were special ordered and custom built for each buyer to their liking.


Take a look at the custom cabinets in the rear seat area of the Stutz Bulldog. These must have been ordered by someone who liked to party a little, as the right side opened to a bar. Overall it is a very nice car and the last year for the open valve T-head engine.

It was hard to miss this 1952 Mercedes, which made me think of the colorful VW bug owned by Kelley Rivers in Fairbanks. It was completely hand painted "to bring the car into harmony with nature." I thought that's what rust was for? I don't know why anyone would do this to a car, but it did draw a lot of lookers and comments, both good and not so good. Otherwise, it looked to be a very nice car that could be improved with a paint job.


Of course, no auction would be complete without a "Duesy." Wow, this 1929 Duesenberg LeBaron-bodied Model J phaeton was a spectacular car inside, under and all around! I spent a lot of time drooling over this one, and took several pictures. I noticed that they had the "elder" guys detailing this car, and not the young ones. It was originally owned by the notorious John Duval Dodge, and ended up selling for $1.7 million plus 10% buyer's commission.

Here is an interesting Stutz with a fabric body. It was not the most attractive car at the auction for sure, with the fit and finish far from good looking, but it probably made someone happy to take it home.








After the auctions, we got to enjoy the longest-running weekly car show at McDonald's in Scottsdale. There were around 500 cars or so on display, including lots of unusual stuff like this VW. It must have been built for young folks, because with no doors it would be rather hard for us old folks to put on and take off.  Ron decided he didn't want it, and our wives agreed.

And then there was this! Someone obviously had a lot of time, a VW that had been hit from the rear, and a couple rusted-out '57 Chevys. We tried to figure out what the goal was on this project:
1. how to make a VW faster.
2. how to make a '57 chevy get better gas mileage.
Or, was he just winging it? Whatever the goal, he did get it done, but I think I would have left the wing off the top.

It was a good week, but I'm ready to get home.