Hundreds of classic cars hit auction block in Las Vegas

By Tiffany Gibson

Thursday, Oct. 8, 2009 | 2:05 a.m.

Hundreds of collector cars will be on auction this week in Las Vegas, but none is generating more buzz than the 1961 Ol’ Yaller VIII sports car that Elvis Presley drove in the movie “Viva Las Vegas.”

The car will be sold to the highest bidder at the 2nd annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction being conducted through Saturday at Mandalay Bay.

Craig Jackson, the auction company’s chairman and CEO, said the owner of the car chose to sell it at the Las Vegas auction specifically because of its link to the movie.

“Hopefully, someone will want it to stay in Vegas,” Jackson said.

The car — Lot No. 709 — is among a number of celebrity vehicles that will be for sale. The auction will be televised by the SPEED cable network.

Actors Bruce Willis and Don Johnson are selling cars from their private collections.

Willis will be auctioning off his 1967 Chevrolet Corvette convertible, 1968 Pontiac Firebird 400 and 1988 Lincoln limousine. Johnson is selling a 1994 Land Rover Defender 90.

And TV host Jay Leno, an avid collector, is selling a Yamaha Star V-Max motorcycle.

Jackson didn’t make any predictions on how much any of the cars might bring. But last year’s auction brought in $29 million, despite the depressed economy. Proceeds from some of the sales go to charity — a total of $6.8 million last year.

On Wednesday, the cars cruised down The Strip on their way to the southeast parking lot at Mandalay Bay.

“It was fantastic,” said Jerry Mace, a visitor from Boston. “All the cars were nice and really something to look at.”

The parking lot also gives Las Vegas locals a chance to display their classic cars.

Chuck Hume brought his 1956 F100 Ford that he rebuilt himself. “It’s a hobby of mine, but I would never sell this car,” Hume said.

Hume said he hasn’t participated in the auction but has sold eight 1956 F100 Fords that he’s rebuilt. He said his children help him work on the vehicles, and it’s a great bonding experience.

“It’s like going to Disneyland with the kids,” Hume said with a smile.

Other events associated with the auction include fashion shows, parties and a ride-and-drive track in which participants can get behind the wheel of a car and then take a ride with a professional driver.

“You drive it and then hop in and let them show you what it can do,” Jackson said.

Brothers Nathan and Jason Dietzel were all smiles after experiencing the ride-and-drive course.

“They push the cars to the limit,” said Nathan Dietzel. “Basically, they scare the hell out of you.”