Cars on a Stick up for Auction
A Chicago area landmark, the maligned Berwyn “Spindle” sculpture, is available now on the Internet auction site, eBay.
A Chicago area landmark, the maligned Berwyn “Spindle” sculpture, is available now on the Internet auction site, eBay.
Looking like a “car-kabob,” the towering sculpture that is made up of eight cars skewered on a 40-foot tall silver spike has been a landmark at the Cermak Plaza since it was created by California artist Dustin Shuler back in late 80s.
According to Concordia Realty Management, which manages the mall where the Spindle now stands, the site where the sculpture now stands is needed for an upcoming expansion project and the cost of moving and refurbishing the rusting Spindle would exceed $300,000.
A cost that they say is too steep and led them to offer the sculpture to the highest bidder.
While as of Monday there had not been a single offer, bidding starts at $50,000.
But keep in mind that the cost of shipping and handling is $100,000. However, if for any reason winning bidder is dissatisfied, the item must be returned within 7 days—at the buyer's expense.
Although there were hopes as recently as December to raise money to complete the restoration work, those hopes now seem dashed despite an online campaign to save the sculpture that was featured in the 1992 movie “Wayne’s World.”
Beginning at the top, the sculpture includes a 1967 VW, a 1976 BMW, a 1981 Ford Escort, a 1974 or possibly a1973 Mercury Capri, a 1978 Ford Mustang, a 1981 Pontiac Grand Prix, a 1979 or possibly a1980 Ford LTD, and a 1979 or possibly a1981 Mercury.
Bidding is scheduled to end on Thursday, April 17.
