Northwest Herald from Woodstock, Illinois • Page 57

Page 2 NORTHWEST HERALD WHEELS Friday, May 20, 1994 WHEELS What: Collector car auction. When: May 27-29. Where: Boone County fairgrounds in Belvidere. Information: (800) Fir A-. 0 ill I "He dresses like a cowboy with boots, string tie, the whole package.

He puts on an unbelievable show." uick uourtney Auction organizer Photo provided A 1948 Plymouth convertible will be sold to the highest bidder at Dana Mecum's auction. If II ber driving are worth today. Spectators are welcome for, ol course, the admission of $6." The Memorial Day weekend show and auction begins May 27 at 5 p.m. "We'll go until about 10 on that Friday night and then resume Saturday at 9 a.m. and go until 9 at night," said Courtney.

Sunday's action is limited from noon to 5 p.m. Because Ratcliffe does a lot ol rambling and posing, he gets tired and needs relief. "That's why we have Mike Lambert come in and spell Gene. Actually they spell each other," said Courtney. "Mike's a country guy too only he's from Kirksville, Mo.

"He's a young fellow and he's also very good." Friday's cars are of the affordable variety, said Mecum. "We're featuring cars under the $7,500 price barrier," he said. The majority of Saturday's vehicles crossing the block will be cars from the 1950s and 1960s. "And probably the greatest group of muscle cars ever amassed," said Mecum. Sunday will be more of the same, only shorter hours.

"Here are some highlights to expect," said Mecum. "A 1959 GMC Blue suburban truck. This truck was built in late '58 and has the fiberglass cameo box. Since GMC's records were destroyed in a fire, there is no proof of how many of these mystery trucks exist. "Over 30 Corvettes with approximately 10 to be sold.

No reserve. A color sale catalog is available free of charge. It includes about 100 of the vehicles in the auction. To order the catalog call (800) 468-6999. To pre-register as a bidder call (815) 568-8888.

By J. E. KUYPER The Northwest Herald BELVIDERE Dana Me-cum of Marengo has a question for us. "Did you know America's premier spring collector car event is held in Northern Illinois?" If the answer was "No," read on for enlightenment. If the answer was "Yes," read on for entertainment.

"That's right," said Mecum. "It's held right here." Mecum of Dana Mecum Auctions calls the premier event "The 7th Annual Rockford Spring Classic." The classic is a collector car auction. It has Rockford in the title but is staged in Belvidere. "More room," said Mecum. "We'll have it at the Boone County fairgrounds.

It's real easy to get to and we can spread out more." Cars from across the country have been consigned to the auction, several from Mecum's own collection. The bulk belong to others. "Over 500 of the nation's finest cars will be on jdfeplay," said Mecum. Mecum will not do the auctioneering. "No, he doesn't do any of it," said Dick Courtney, Mecum's sidekick.

"We use a couple of guys. One of them is a tall lean cowboy out of west Texas by the name of Gene Radcliffe. He's a world champion auctioneer. He auctions fine arts, antiques, livestock. He does everything.

"He dresses like a cowboy with boots, string tie, the whole package. He puts on an unbelievable show. It's worth the six bucks just to see this guy," said Courtney. "This auction isn't just for those who want to buy cars," added Mecum. "Bring the family and journey down memory lane.

And see what those old cars you remem jjrrm rir. Jd Photo provided photo provided Qne 0f the musce cars crossing the auction block will be a 1970 Boss Mustang 429 with 7,000 original miles. Red Skelton owned this 1947 Chrysler "woody." Mecum predicts rebound in market HERALD NEWS SERVICE MARENGO If you had been forewarned about the investor run on the collector car market in 1989ou could have bought before? the prices skyrocketed. Dana Mecum of Dana Mecum Auctions said 1994 could duplicate 1989. although prices are starting to creep upward," said Mecum.

"From 1987 through the early 1990s, prices on collector cars skyrocketed. This market shift created certain economic barriers by limiting the number of people who could afford to purchase a collector car. "This created a dormant mar ket from 1991 through early 1992 as investors scrambled to take profits on their investments, but buyers did not respond and owners who paid premium prices began to accept their overvalued positions. "The spring 1994 auctions have seen real values popping up as cars are being priced attractively for the market." "With prices adjusting downward since 1992, this year looks like the best year since the 1980s for investing in collector cars," said Mecum. Mecum will host the Rockford Spring Collector car show and auction in Belvidere the weekend of May 27-29.

"The current market looks very attractive across the board, if, take advantage Factory Cash Back amounts fro jjv isJfc've Expanded our Inventory to Serve you BetterF- 5 jir fe4 v. -v JVoiu thru May 31st, Ly Every New Lincoln Mercury in Inventory Will Be Priced at only HM JsULg lop Uoltir will be nven or wurL MERCURY SABLB MERCURY IJMMfiMrtLi RRCJ0RY VILLAGER GS LINCOLN KlAltl. VUI PLUS Get outstanding value on these quality used vehicles Buy with confidence! 1084 Buick Century Lim. SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT 4DR STK338A Transportation Spcdalt Saturday, May 21st 10am to Ham Is I1 in i -a mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm 1985 Buick Centuryl limited 2DR STKP353A I 995 I o.2:: WfflZFtf 1991 Ford ConwrsloaVan STKP350A tSyX-feL Loaded with luxury, 1PP3SR CLEAN! mmfi $14,295 Live Appearance by the WMAQ 1992 Liacoln Continental Signature Series "hicago White So: a j. 1 it Loaded with luxury! iruirui, vun BRING THE KIDSIi i i JJ "Dealer profit is not limited to the amount of dollars charged over invoice.

Advertised price applies only to those vehicles without dealer installed options. Where applicable, vehicles with dealer installed option will be sold at $94.00 over dealer invoice total plus dealer installed options at retail price. Invoices will be available for inspection. Prior deals do not apply. All vehicles are subject to prior sale.

Prices valid 5-20-94 through 5-31-94. -Hs) WOOOSTOCK lHENF 1 .30 CRYSTAL UBERTyvILLL I LAKE 10V ALWAYS Afld A GREAT DEAL MORE Route 31, T.lcHennv 815-385-0403 LAKE THE HUS ALGONQUIN 1 rxxvote.