This is the first real action day at the Barrett-jackson auctions and already I'm overwhelmed with the magnitude of the event.

Quite aside from the auction cars there's a massive sideshow that includes manufacturer exhibits (Ford, Chrysler, Mercedes) plus seemingly endless display booths with custom rods and retros, fine art and sculptures, and other collectible automobilia. The latter was first to be auctioned. Imagine a restored 50's gas pump for $2400!

When finally some collectible cars rolled onto the platform they were low-end-dollar vehicles. You could have bought a pristine Jaguar XK-S convertible for $15,600 or an Alfa-Romeo roadster for much less; a vintage Ford F150 for the proverbial song. Muscle cars were attracting big bucks but word is that the trend is fading and vintage sports cars are the next big thing. Jaguars are making a comeback.