Car Culture Rolls into Newport Beach
Classic car and bike connoisseurs are sure to get all revved up about these two awesome happenings coming up soon:
When the Russo and Steele Newport Beach Collector Automobile Auction rolls into the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina from Friday, June 5, through Sunday, June 7, expect to see a wide array of more than 400 highly collectible fine European sports, American muscle, hotrods, customs, exotics and competition cars offered for sale in a high-energy auction-in-the-round format that puts buyers, sellers and spectators right on the floor with the cars.
The third annual event kicks off Thursday at 9 a.m. with a day of auction previews. Cars then can be inspected daily beginning at 10 a.m., from Thursday-Saturday, with auctions taking place at 11 a.m. The event also includes a selection of vendors featuring a variety of interesting products, as well as some amazing food, and all of the auctions begin with an action-packed, no-reserve sale of automotive and celebrity memorabilia by the premier memorabilia dealer Pieces of the Past.
Celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, the Russo and Steele Collector Automobile Auction has grown from two shows in its early years to three now in Monterey, Scottsdale and Newport Beach. This year’s Newport Beach show is set in one of Southern California’s premier ocean-side retreats and is set to showcase the best group of offerings Russo and Steele has ever brought to Southern California. Among the highlights: an extremely rare 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 Cabriolet, a sleek and exotic 1971 Maserati Ghibli, and an iconic 1957 Porsche 356 T1 Cabriolet, just for starters. There also will be a huge assortment of incredible Americana — ranging from a 1958 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz to a 1966 Shelby GT350H to a 1949 Ford Anglia Hotrod and beyond—as well as a heavy dose of important and historic competition cars and several vehicles with celebrity ownership histories (John Wayne, Burt Reynolds, Eddie Van Halen and more).
All of the action takes place in a specially constructed “mini-city” at the beautiful locale of Newport Dunes. “A big part of what Russo and Steele is about is the tents, outdoor atmosphere and the amazing surroundings of our events, and we strive to pick the most beautiful and most exclusive locations we can,” says the show’s Darin Roberge . “Newport Beach absolutely creates the perfect backdrop for this. It’s a very smart, very sophisticated and very passionate collector automobile scene, as well as one of the greatest automotive lifestyle destinations on the planet.
“It’s the ultimate collector car beach party thrown by the most exciting collector auction company in the world,” he adds. “If you are a fan of cars, or of live events of any kind, you owe it to yourself to come spend an afternoon with Russo and Steele. It’s an amazing experience you’ll never forget!”
On-site bidder’s registration begins Wednesday, June 3, at 9 a.m., and continues through Sunday, June 7, and also is available online at russoandsteele.com or by calling (602) 252-2697. General admission is $20 and a bidder credential is $200 and includes admission for all three auction days for the bidder and a guest. You also can visit the website for more information and to view a digital catalog of all of the cars offered.
If all that’s left you wanting more, plan on attending the Father’s Day Car & Vintage Motorcycle Show Sunday, June 21, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., at Balboa Bay Resort. Attendees of the eighth annual event can expect to see a top-drawer assemblage of more than 100 rare, classic, custom cars and vintage motorcycles, with everyone having the chance to vote for their favorite entries in various categories and trophies awarded at about 2 p.m. Other activities include a full-service bar, beer booth, an all-new barbecue buffet, balloon and temporary tattoo artists, live DJ and a Father/Son Pit Row Tire Changing Challenge. For details click here.
