'Nothing like the thrill': Collector car auction marks return of in-person bidding
The pandemic halted many live events, auctions included. This weekend, however, a special automobile auction is marking the return to in-person bidding for one auction house.
From front chrome to rear fins, rows of classic cars lined Associated Auto Auction in preparation for Saturday's collector car auction.
Each car has a storied past, like Rick Lowey's family's Buick, which Lowey's stepfather owned since 1962.
"His son Ed restored it, and, unfortunately, he passed away this summer and now and his wife Audrey is auctioning it off tomorrow," said Lowey.
The collector car auction on Sept. 25 will be Associated Auto Auction's first live auction since the start of the pandemic.
A photo of Lowey's family's 1960 Buick Invicta. (Source: CTV News/Mason DePatie)
The Buick is one of many cars hitting the auction block.
"We have 150 cars on the block for the first time ever in Manitoba, so it's going to be a big event," said Craig Collingridge, general manager and co-owner of Associated Auto Auction.
It's been over a year since the sound of a live auction echoed over the auction house in Headingley, meaning this event is very important to Collingridge.
"There's nothing like the thrill of a live auction," Collingridge said. "We are sort of mimicking what Barret Jackson does in the states. We talk with them, we deal with them, and we are trying to recreate it in central Canada in Winnipeg."
On Friday's viewing day, the auction was already turning collector car enthusiast's heads.
"These are great examples of cars that people have collected over the years, and it's nice to see they've survived," said Bob Wiebe, who was looking at the cars.
"It's what I grew up with. You start remembering what you wanted when you were young but couldn't afford it, and now when you got a few bucks, you want to buy it and live the dream," said Bob Dowd, who already owns several classic cars and is looking to buy another.
The collector car auction on Sept. 25 will be Associated Auto Auction's first live auction since the start of the pandemic.
But, as eager buyers browse, it's a bittersweet moment for sellers.
"Four doors as you can see, but the details, it's fantastic. You can even see it at the front of the car. It's a really nice looking car," said Lowey while walking around the family car.
The auction hammer drops at 11:00 a.m. Sept. 25.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump fined US$1,000 for gag order violation in hush money case as judge warns of possible jail time
The judge presiding over Donald Trump's hush money trial has fined him US$1,000 for violating his gag order and sternly warned the former president that additional violation could result in jail time.
The story of how a B.C. man found his birth mother
After his adopted parents died, Dave Rogers set out to learn more about his birth mother. DNA results and a little help from friendly strangers would put him on a path to a small town in England.
When grief and AI collide: These people are communicating with the dead
AI tools can offer recommendations, answer questions and 'talk' with users. But some users are using them to recreate the likeness of the dead.
Spike in 'violent rhetoric' since Oct. 7 attack from 'extremist actors,' CSIS warns
The Israel-Hamas war has led to a spike in 'violent rhetoric' from 'extremist actors' that could prompt some in Canada to turn to violence, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service warns.
Italy's white-collar mafia is making a business killing
Italy's mafia rarely dirties its hands with blood these days. Extortion rackets have gone out of fashion and murders are largely frowned upon by the godfathers.
WestJet, mechanics union agree to tentative deal to avoid strike
A potential strike between WestJet and its mechanics union appears to have been avoided.
Russia announces nuclear weapon drills after angry exchange with senior Western officials
Russia plans to hold drills simulating the use of battlefield nuclear weapons, the Defense Ministry announced Monday, days after the Kremlin reacted angrily to comments by senior Western officials about the war in Ukraine and Moscow warned that tensions with the West are deepening.
Summer forecast: What to expect as El Nino weakens
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Actor Bernard Hill, of 'Titanic' and 'Lord of the Rings,' has died at 79
Actor Bernard Hill, who delivered a rousing cry before leading his people into battle in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King' and went down with the ship as the captain in 'Titanic,' has died.