CAR AUCTION DRAWS HUNDREDS TO SHOW-ME CENTER

Although Randy Blythe, of Fort Smith, Ark., is a distant relative of President Bill Clinton, it is not his claim to fame.

Blythe wheels and deals late model and classic cars all over the country and was one of the many dealers who attend the Smith Auction Co.'s Classic and Collector Car Auction Saturday at the Show Me Center.

He was among the hundreds of dealers who brought everything from a classic 1942 Cadillac 61 Series to a Bob Hope Classic Golf Cart to the third annual auction.

"Classic cars are my hobby," said Blythe. "They are a secondary part of my business."

Finding cars 25 years or older is Blythe's goal as he travels from place to place. Many of the cars he purchases at auctions are what he calls "special interest" cars.

"I find pace cars and commemorative cars," he said. "Some car manufacturers make anniversary models such as a 30th anniversary Vette."

Blythe brought 24 cars to the two-day auction. They cause quite a stir when he transports them.

"The cars traveled to the auction on eight-car transports," he said. "People on the interstate hoot and holler at us. They pull over to us at truck stops and ask us questions. I sell some of the cars that way."

A 1966 Corvette convertible with a 427 horsepower big block engine valued at $45,000 and a $40,000 completely restored 1957 Chevrolet convertible were among the cars Blythe brought to the Show Me Center.

He said he does not usually make a profit from selling his cars at an auction.

"Most of us who sell are not here to make money," Blythe said. "It is an opportunity to change our inventory. We may make a profit or we may sometimes have a loss."

Not all of Blythe's profits go into his business. The classic car business also helps one of his favorite charities, the Western Arkansas Special Olympics.

John and Doris Davidson of Springfield, Mo., owners of Ozarks Classic Motor Company, used a mirror to inspect the underside of a classic Cougar engine.

They said they never miss a Smith Auction.

"We bought a 1949 Plymouth convertible," said John Davidson. "These cars are good clean machines."

Not all of the sellers at the auction were full-time dealers.

Jim Redmond of Farmington said he had to part with his restored 1970 VW Bug. Restoring the car was a hobby.

"I bought it for my daughter but she had a baby and wants a bigger car now," Redmond said.

Auction co-owner Connie Smith said thousands were expected to attend the auction.

"People come from all over the county and Canada," she said. "We had over 250 dealers signed up and an unestimated number of walk-ins."

The Smiths said they expect to sell 50 to 60 percent of the cars brought in for sale.

Connie Smith said some visitors just come to watch the team of four auctioneers.

"They are one of the top auctioneers in the business," she said. "They put on quite a show."

The auction continues today, starting at 8 a.m. at the Show Me Center.