Car show, auction a hit at Lee Civic Center
For years, promoter Rob Maglothlin, had dreamt of holding his car event at a location such as the Lee Civic Center.
When the opportunity presented itself, he jumped at it. That was a good thing, as more than 600 classic cars took over the back parking lot Saturday for the first Spring National Car Show & Auction, put on the Roadhouse Promotions from Naples, with net proceeds to benefit United Cerebral Palsy locally.
The event started three years ago at Jet Blue Park, with proceeds to benefit the Salvation Army. Although it raised $21,000 in charity, Maglothlin wanted a place to hold his auction and expand the operation.
“There was a guy doing auctions here 10 years ago. This place had a history of doing well with car shows and we thought this would be a perfect combination,” Maglothin said.
The car show brought some of the rarest and oddest vehicles outside.
Bill Eggerman, of Punta Gorda, had one of the real finds, a 1954 Corvette that has been in his family since 1960 and that he has owned for more than 30 years. Only 3,840 of them were built. Only the Corvettes of 1953 and 1955 built fewer.
“In 1955 Ford built its Thunderbird and nearly put Corvette out of business. This car would probably cost $100,000,” Eggerman said. “My wife’s uncle paid $600 for it.”
But much of the action was going on indoors, as some real nice cars were put on auction. With the car show only happening on Saturday, there was nothing to distract potential buyers from going after their dream car.
Many of the cars were “mods,” which are classic cars but modified for modern-day use. Many of the old cars have outdated parts and systems, such as steering, brakes and transmissions, not to mention no seat belts. The cars have to be retrofitted with these modern accoutrements.
Many of the cars there were either late arrivals or something that didn’t sell, Maglothlin said. Among those sold was a Model T Ford from the early 20s.
The reason for the late arrivals was that there was another car auction in Punta Gorda on the same day. Many of the cars that didn’t sell there would be on the block Sunday, Maglothlin said.
The problem with auctions is there tend to be those “Honey, look what I just bought” moments that make man and woman cringe.
Ken Bertolissi, of Bonita Springs, had one of those at a previous auction when he bought a 1976 Lincoln Continental while his wife was in the bathroom.
“I put it in the garage and didn’t know what to do with it. The guy who bid against me, I got his name and I sold it to him for about $500 less than I paid about a month later,” Bertolissi said, who loved the car show and brought his granddaughter and daughter-in-law.
March has proven to be a very busy month for the Lee Civic Center, what with the fair and all, and next weekend promises to be even busier. Starting Friday and running through Sunday will be Velocity Driving.
Participants will have the opportunity to drive the car of their dreams for as low as $99. Drivers must be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver’s license.
On Saturday will be Color Vibe. Participants will run an untimed 5K while being plastered with corn-starch based color. It looks awesome when the color gets thrown around during the afterparty. The fun starts at 8 a.m.
The Lee Civic Center is at 11831 Bayshore Road, North Fort Myers.