‘Car Week’ a first in Palm Springs

It will be beautiful cars, cars and more cars when McCormick’s Collector Car Auction teams up with the Desert Concorso on two weekends in November, the first “Car Week” event of its kind in Palm Springs.

The Concorso on Nov. 15 will feature sport and GT cars from Europe, North American and special interest sports cars from the UK, Germany and France. The Sunday event will celebrate delectable food, fashion, art and music.

On Nov. 20-22, nearly 600 vehicles ranging from late model Ferraris and European classics to American hot rods, muscle and antique cars will pass through the giant auction tent at the Spa Resort Casino parking lot. The auction is free and open to the public on Friday, Nov. 20. On Saturday and Sunday, a one-day pass is $15 per day or $25 for both days.

Now in its 29th year, the McCormick auction last November grossed $7.7 million in sales, the highest in the company’s history. “Our sales rate tops 80 per cent, which is a record for a reserve auction.” Attendance also set a record. The Friday auction has been expanded to 180 cars to accommodate more sellers.

The high attendance brings in high-end cars, some worth well into six figures, Keith McCormick said, as well as “a mix of vehicles in all price ranges, something for everyone.”

Special “star cars” include a 1959 pink Cadillac, Series 62 convertible with 53,000 actual miles and a 1962 Ford Thunderbird convertible, a factory “Sport Roadster” model. Both cars are fully restored to perfect condition and ready to drive.

McCormick held the first collector car auction in 1985 at the Marquis Hotel in Palm Springs. A total of 211 vehicles were offered, 109 (53%) were sold, grossing $1.2 million. Attendance totaled 6,000 during the weekend event. Cars sold include a 1985 Porsche for $32,300, a 1981 Rolls Royce for $45,000; and a 1937 Rolls Royce for $49, 500 owned by G. Gordon Liddy with license H2O GATE.

Today the auction will stream live via the Internet for three days and people who register in advance may bid for via proxy bidding. At the previous auction, people tuned in from across the United States, Europe and New Zealand to bid on cars.

Video cameras will be set up to show different views of each car as it passes through the auction tent. To connect to the live broadcast and receive registration information, go to www.classic-caraution.com

People bidding via proxy will have to register in advance and follow the same procedures as people attending the auction, McCormick noted. Bidding requires a $30 registration fee and a “good faith deposit,” which is refunded if nothing is purchased, McCormick said.

To preview cars to be auction and other information, go to www.Classic-CarAuction.com.

Calendar:

Nov. 15
Desert Concorso
Palm Springs High School stadium
1901 E. Baristo Road
www.desertconcorso.com
Concorso tickets start at $65 each including parking, a gift bag and a collector’s magazine.

November 20-22, 2015
McCormick’s Palm Springs Collector Car Auction
Spa Resort Casino in Palm Springs
Gates open at 8 a.m. for preview
Friday, noon to 9 p.m., Free
Saturday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
One day pass, $15; two days $25
www.classic-carauction.com
(760) 320-3290