(Gallery by NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune)
Car enthusiasts can scout out their next big buy or just enjoy the view Friday, Nov. 30, as more than 100 classic and muscle cars roar into New Orleans ahead of this weekend?s third annual New Orleans Classic Auto Festival. The Vicari Auction Company, which produces the show, invites anyone to watch for free as the cars arrive at Mardi Gras World, 1380 Port of New Orleans Place, on Friday, Nov. 30, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
The event previews the cars set to cross the auction block Saturday, Dec. 1, at Mardi Gras World. The offerings include rare finds, most notably a 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Pilot Car Serial No. 16.
The hand-built car is one of just four or five restored Corvette Pilot Cars known to remain worldwide, said Pete Vicari, president of Vicari Auction, in a news release.
?In preparation for the introduction of the re-designed 1963 Corvette, a limited number of handmade pilot line cars were produced in St. Louis, Mo., for the purpose of road-testing the new design,? Vicari said. ?After testing, these Corvettes were supposed to have been crushed, but a few survived.?
The particular car to be auctioned this weekend is the only such Corvette Pilot Car known to have its original four-speed, 360-horsepower, 327-cubic inch fuel-injected V8 engine, said Will Loomis, auction manager for Vicari Auction Company. The original motor has 106,000 miles on the speedometer, according to Vicari. As a featured car, the Corvette Pilot will be displayed with the hood up, so viewers can check out the engine, Loomis said.
3rd Annual New Orleans Classic Auto Festival
The car also boasts an interesting look with its hand-laid fiberglass, which creates a rougher appearance than the traditional smooth fiberglass of production cars. Additional features include sand-cast fuel-injection units, which also boast a rougher look, Loomis said.
Other noteworthy cars to be auctioned include the 1949 Buick Roadmaster, one of only 8,000 built, and a selection of Chevrolet Chevelles from the Brent Trauth Chevelle Collection, Loomis said. Trauth?s personal collection includes a rare 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 LS5 V8 automatic and a hard-top 1970 Chevelle Malibu Survivor Car, among others to hit the auction block.
Saturday?s events include a 9:30 a.m. auction of collectibles and memorabilia, such as footballs signed by New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton and quarterback Drew Brees, a 2010 football signed by the entire Saints team, imitation-celebrity jewelry, life-sized hand-painted statues and more.
The car auction begins on Saturday at 10 a.m., with registration at 9 a.m.
Vendors include businesses that specialize in restoring classic cars, a professional vehicle-shipping company and Clinique cosmetics. Food will also be available for purchase.
Vicari car auctions usually draw several thousand enthusiasts, collectors and spectators from across the Gulf Coast and occasionally places like California and New York, Loomis said.
No matter how many classic cars an enthusiast owns, the thrill remains in the hunt, he said.
?I talk to a lot of guys who buy a lot of cars,? Loomis said. ?They?re always excited about the next one they can find.?
Source: http://www.nola.com/festivals/index.ssf/2012/11/classic_cars_rolling_into_new.html
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