I have been attending collector car auctions for 16 years and I can honestly say that I have never seen an auction with better presentation than the Keno Brothers’ Rolling Sculpture auction last week in New York City.
The layout of the cars was more like an auto museum than an auction, with each car having its own raised platform, custom signage and fantastic lighting. The cars also were well spaced, making it easy for prospective buyers to see each car from any angle.
On the eve of the sale, the Keno Brothers moderated a symposium entitled “At the Crossroads of Art, Engineering an Technology: The many Facets of Historical Automobiles.” The participants included Peter Brock, Kent Bain, Murray Smith, Dietrich Hatlapa, and Archie Urciuoli., who were informative and amusing with each sharing great stories about their careers in the car hobby.
Another big point of difference in the Keno Brothers sale was the vast amount of information provided on each automobile up for sale. Every lot received an extensive pre-purchase inspection by an expert in that marque and descriptions included every bit of history available on that specific car. The Ferrari cars had an added bonus of also including a current Marcel Massini report that was given to each winning bidder.
Finally, the quality of the venue, the food and beverages was simply top notch, clients were well-treated, and it all combined with the fabulous presentation to produce a new way of staging a high-end auction event.
Though the sell through was lower than the Kenos would have liked to see, the sale still was solid for a first-time auction company doing its first sale.
Photos by Andy Reid
What happened with J-514?
IT IS FLASHY BUT A FAR CRY FROM THE DAYS WHEN A WORKING MAN COULD ACTUALLY AFFORD TO BUY A GREAT HOT ROD AT A SHOW OR AUCTION. THAT’S WHY YOU WENT. IT WAS EXCITING TO FIND A RUNNING CAR. IF YOU COULD NOT AFFORD IT, YOU MAYBE COULD AT THE NEXT ONE. ANOTHER AMERICAN PASTIME TAKEN OVER BY THE SUPER RICH, PRICES THROUGH THE STRATOSPHERE. I RARELY ATTEND ANY MORE. WHEN I DO GO THESE DAYS MOST OF THE COMMENTS I HEAR ARE HOW RIDICULOUS THE PRICES ARE, AND THE DEMEANOR OF THE 95% AVERAGE GUYS IS MORE SAD THAN ENLIGHTENED. THERE IS A 56 BUICK 2DR. ADVERTISED FOR 900,000.00. IS THERE ANY POINT TRAVELING A FEW HUNDRED MILES TO GO TO A PLACE YOU CAN’T AFFORD (THE OLD $20.00 ROOMS ARE GONE) TO SEE HOW THE RICH HAVE USURPED ANOTHER AMERICAN PASTIME.