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THE TIMES ARE A CHANGIN’

Bob Dylan once wrote and sung a song about the ever-changing times in American history. Despite the hard economic hits so many have taken, the old car hobby still seems to be at its strongest stage ever—and it’s still growing! This is a transformation stage—including wild customs, hot rods, rat rods, new car shows popping up, new restoration shops, and especially the internet--which is something we will embrace. This is the type of creative, artistic, revival that gave birth to Auto Round-Up almost four decades ago. Four decades ago, free advertising was unheard of. Today, because of Auto Round-Up, it’s as common as fins on a 1960 Cadillac.

When Ron Smith first started up the Auto Round-Up Magazine, as it was formally called in 1974 (we have many aliases), he was a car nut with a dream. Today, we’re all car nuts with a dream—the dream of keeping this classic car hobby alive for our kids and their kids.

When Auto Round-Up was born in 1974, it was a larger size that was printed in black and white. This title was sold locally at first, then statewide, and soon, it grew to cover the northeast regional area of the country.

Then, sometime in the early 1980’s, Auto Round-Up went nationwide. Pages and color was added.

In 1981, this title was trimmed down to make the magazine a more convenient size. Due to popular demand (so readers wouldn’t miss an issue) we started offering subscriptions the same year.

Then, in 1987, our readers wanted a “truck” only magazine—and, Truck Round-Up Magazine was born. And, in 1989, again listening to our readers, who wanted a combo book of the two, we launched Auto/Truck Round-Up Monthly.

So, as you can see, Auto Round-Up has gone through many transformations over the years. Most of these changes deriving from our reader’s requests.

A few years ago, the post office asked us to eliminate the envelope we were mailing the subscriber copies and place the label on the outside of the cover to help make a faster delivery to our readers.

Then again, a few issues ago, the post office suggested that we trim-down the magazine by slicing down the width to qualify as a periodical letter so that our subscriber mail pieces would go through the mail system quicker.

It was not a decision we made calmly. We felt it was the right move but still remained uncertain because this was not just up to us, it was also up to our loyal, passionate, and long-time Round-Up readers as well (there are nearly 300,000 of you, when you count the number of people who share their copy).

In doing so, we noticed that the size of the type inside had shrunk down a bit. So, we took your advice and increased the size of the words slightly for your convenience. We also took your suggestions of adding two tabs on either end of the book to make each copy “sealed” for quicker and safer delivery.

Then, a few months ago, we had some samples made up from our printer and mailed out some copies to get your thoughts. Readers loved the new look—it was easier to hold, carry, fold and put in your pocket, and most importantly, read. And, so far, the tabs have helped deliver your copies more rapidly.

Due to our readers overwhelming acceptance with the new size and type, we decided to go through with it—and so, you have a new-and-improved Auto Round-Up Magazine!

Of course, our DNA is one thing that will never change. A great Round-Up is one that offers free advertising, a great classifieds section, some cool stories from time to time, events listings, and a great marketplace of vendors. The core and mission of Auto Round-Up is to enhance and preserve the classic car hobby for generations to come as a magazine coming from Jane Lew, WV. We believe in this great hobby and the magic of the past.

We would like to thank our readers for your continued support. We will continue to change and improve our magazine. We really do listen to your suggestions and strive every day to make your Round-Up experience the best this hobby has to offer.


Shaun Smith
Assistant Publisher

For more articles like this, pickup a copy of Auto Round-Up Magazine on your local newsstand, or visit www.Auto-Roundup.com

The prices at Barett-Jackson Car Auction jumps up on Friday and Saturday nights. Everybody is holding their breath to see how many people, want how many cars, how badly on these nights. A spirited competition been two well heeled bidders can be a stimulating sight.

This afternoon, Friday January 16, 2009 the pro wrestler Bill Goldberg (and Speed personality) held a press conference to tout the charity auction on Saturday evening of a 1970 Plymouth “Superbird” Recreation car, Lot # 1289.

Goldberg explained that he wanted to do something that showed he cared and opted to build a car for the Darrell Gwynn Foundation, which provides research funding and wheel chairs for children. Goldberg started with a 1975 Plymouth Satellite that was donated to Goldberg by Rick Brannon. Goldberg then went to friend Ray Everham who promptly donated a NASCAR inspired drive train, provided that Everham’s crew could do the installation. Goldberg followed that up by contacting Kevin King of Year One who provided many of the parts and labor to make the car what it is now seen as. Finally the wrestler contacted the King of NASCAR, Richard Petty, who told him the car had to be painted Petty Blue and Richard Petty is scheduled to drive the car over the auction block.

Goldberg stated, “without the Barrett-Jackson experience this wouldn’t have happened” and challenged others to step up and put together a better project for next year’s auction. Darrell Gwynn, the former NHRA racer, stated this is the type of car he would have cruised the streets in on Friday and Saturday nights in his youth. Gwynn will also give away a wheel chair to a child on both Saturday and Sunday during the auction so that the bidders can see what their donations provide. This past year the foundation donated 37 customized wheel chairs worth nearly $250,000.

Goldberg unveiled this tribute car at last year’s SEMA show in Las Vegas and is hoping that it will bring in a huge amount of the foundation.

Look for it to sell on Saturday night, between 5-7 PM Arizona time.

Copyright Mark C Bach 2009

For more articles like these, pick up a copy of Auto Round-Up Magazine at your local newsstand, or visit www.Auto-Roundup.com today!

Barrett-Jackson Day Two
by Mark C Bach

The second day of the Barrett-Jackson auction is being held today and Speed is showing five hours live (5-10 PM, locally from Arizona.). Speed cable coverage continues through Sunday with live telecasts and tape re-broadcasts. The weather was great and as the television lights came on, so did the prices.

The folks from GM are selling off some cars from their Heritage Museum. It is interesting to note that the auctioneers are repeating frequently that these cars are not warranteed, nor necessarily carry the required safety or emission equipment. Instead of a bill of sale, which is common when cars don’t have a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) like NASCAR race cars – these cars are being sold with a scrap title. Some collectors might be paying top dollar for cars that will never be able to get on the road. Speaking of NASCAR, Rick Hendrix was buying some of these GM pieces.

When GM first started to list the cars they were releasing for this auction, some bloggers criticized them for selling plain Jane pieces that could be easily be replaced in the museum at a later time. But in reality many are concept cars or one offs that don’t have a twin in existence. These cars were rightful fought over and the prices show the collectors’ interest.

Copyright Mark C Bach 2008

For more articles like this, pick up a copy of Auto Round-Up Magazine, or visit www.Auto-Roundup.com today!
 

Each January the car auction companies flock to various Phoenix area sites to hold their classic car sales/auctions.

The grand daddy of them all is Barrett-Jackson’s auction held in Scottsdale and featured live and on tape on Speed with nearly 40 hours of coverage next weekend. This will be the 38th annual auction for them which they call – The World’s Greatest Collector Car Events” TM. And they probably are right! This year the auction offers a stunning black T-Bird, the first one off the factory floor. Plus Craig Jackson will assist GM in auctioning off for charity the first 2010 Camaro, outfitted as the winning bidder desires. Readers might remember that last year at Barrett Jackson, the first production Corvette ZR-1 sold for $1,000,000. GM is even feeling the pinch and will be selling some cars there from their extensive collection.

Russo Steele will be holding four days of car auctions further north in Scottsdale and ESPN cameras will tape the auction action for later broadcast. The contrast here is that only actual bidders are allowed into the auction tent and cars can be sold with a reserve. This means if the current owner wants to sell the car for at least “$x” amount, they can keep an unannounced reserve on the car and hope it fetches at least that amount.

Silver Car Auctions will be on the east edge of the metropolitan area at Fort McDowell for four days as well. Mitch Silver and his auctions helped establish Hot August Nights in Reno and is boastful that their slate of cars is more for the average buyer – meaning more reasonably priced.

Boutique auctions also occur next week with RM and Gooding in town as well for separate one day sales.

In two weeks Kruse Auctions comes into town and sweeps up the remnants, boasting of nearly 1,000 cars to auction. Sometimes I think they must be counting the car’s wheels to come up with their car counts but they still have a great selection.

The bottom line is there will be plenty of cars in Arizona for the next two weeks and lots of money passing hands. Will there be million dollar cars crossing the auction block? You can count on it.

Stay tuned for more coverage as the auctions proceed.

Copyright Mark C Bach 2009

For more articles like this, visit http://www.Auto-Roundup.com