Storm Damage to cars at Arizona Auction!

[Shelly Harris]

Thanks to Jack for sending me this info. Storm in Arizona caused some bad irreparable damage!

Here's the pictures (https://sites.google.com/a/allclassicsllc.com/www/home/2010-russo-and-steele-damages)

[Nick DeSpirito]

I'm out here in Arizona now. Came here after the LCOC board meeting in Orlando. It was Russo and Steele auctioneers that had damage. I spent the whole day today at Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale. There was only one Mark II that went on the block. It found a new owner for $38,000.00. There was a nice '62 convertible that sold for $25,000.00. A very nice car for the money.

Also, a '56 T-Bird with a mere 11,770 miles went for only $42,000.00

[Mad Scientist]

I had heard that there were a few cars damaged. That is more then a few. :(

[Nick DeSpirito]

I had the oppertunity to go to the Russo and Steele Auction yesterday, beings they had to extend it into Monday. The damage to the vehicles involved was hard to look at in person. My heart goes out to their owners. There was a 1979 Bill Blass Mark V with only 23,000 original miles that was damaged, but not nearlyas seriously as others.

Most sellers of damaged vehicles were offering to have the cars repaired and delivered free of charge to the buyers.

[Huffstutler]

OK, what did I miss that happened in Arizona that caused this kind of damage? Looks like Godzilla grabbed a hold of a telephone pole and started swinging. Tornado damage?

Man, I know I would be one BIG a$$hole if I purchased one of these cars and this happened before I could get it home..:mad: Think of the value depreciation of many of these vehicles. Some I am sure sold with "original" paint, others with pristine bodies. NO WAY would I allow bondo near my car especially if it has complex compound curves where the damage is unless it was taken to a high end shop nationally known for restorations that cost 5 arms and 3 legs to fix using original or machined welded panels, lead, and a lot of hand work. Then you have interior water damage which is next to impossible to get rid of without tearing everything out. Minimum would be the carpet as the padding will definitely have to be replaced - to check for water retention (rust) and mildew. And if seats and door panels have to be replaced... look out. Factory original or nothing down to the last stitch! No "look like" original replacement fabrications for me!

I worked in the auto industry for over 20 years and know what people can and can't do and what to look for. I am this way with anything I buy. A Customer Service department nightmare.

Eric

[SLK]

The pictures are really hard to look at, but no matter what they are still just a car. I'm glad that with all of the damage, there was only one person with minor injuries. If I had been commenting on this story 2 days ago, my opinion might have been different.

Yesterday we experienced a wind storm and my wife had a large limb fall on the minivan right at the A pillar as she drove into town. My 9 year old was shaken up a bit as he was sitting in the front seat. $2600 in damage, but the fact that they were OK is all that matters, the vehicle can be fixed or replaced.

[2MarkIIs]

Wow.....sad very sad. I want the Ford GT and the White w/ blue stripe fox body mustang thats actually a pretty rare fox. There are actualy quite a few rare cars there. 70 cuda convertible, the superbirds. Id fix them......the ones that may be fixable. Did this happen before they were auctioned off or after?

[linmk2]

Very sad. As a car fan, the pictures almost make you cry.

[Shawn Newcomb]

I wonder if the claims will all be on Russo & Steele? I know everything up for auction at Barrett Jackson is signed over to Barrett Jackson upon arrival prior to the auction. Whoever owned these cars, I hope they had agreed value coverage...

[Don Henschel]

I wonder if the claims will all be on Russo & Steele? I know everything up for auction at Barrett Jackson is signed over to Barrett Jackson upon arrival prior to the auction. Whoever owned these cars, I hope they had agreed value coverage...

Now the fun begins! Now they will find out how much insurance they really had:mad: Even after repair they are never the same!

[Huffstutler]

Ben, true. They are only material items but very expensive ones.

An investment that is now depreciated by damage and has to be documented for the next buyer. If these cars that have been purchased can not be fixed "like new" and "without detection", will they get a refund or have an opt to negate on the purchase price?

I feel those that were completely "original" including paint should be able to get some sort of compensation for a car that now will never hold its value the same way again and no longer worth what they paid.

Eric