Wheels and deals: Classic car enthusiasts look for bargains at collector auction

Ernest and Doris Rhodes of Jonesboro, Ill., are shopping for a car in Cape Girardeau this weekend, but they won't find what they're looking for at any of the area dealers.

The Rhodeses were among the 300 to 400 early birds on hand at the Show Me Center for the beginning of the collectible car auction at 4 p.m. Friday. More than 2,000 people are expected to attend the two-day event held by Smith's Auction Co.

The Rhodeses looked at several '60s classics before bidding began Friday and said they might buy if they can pick up a bargain.

The auction attracts buyers and sellers who are often dealers or collectors of classic cars. The Rhodeses don't call themselves serious collectors, but they like having an old classic or two for fun.

Unlike some who never let their collector cars leave their garage, the Rhodeses like to take their classics for a spin.

KIT DOYLE ~ kdoyle@semissourian.comDonald Morris of Greenville, Ky., inspects a 1955 Ford Fairlane on Friday afternoon from Smith's Auction Co. at the collectible car auction at the Show Me Center. Morris owns roughly 50 cars.

"You can recapture a little bit of your youth," said Ernest, who bought a 1966 Ford Fairlane 500 from the Smith auction in 2000. Doris said they don't drive it regularly, but like to take it out to go for ice cream or a special occasion once in awhile. She likes the reaction they get from young people when they see the Fairlane.

Sherm Smith of Dexter, Mo., who owns the company promoting the auction, said he typically holds four or five classic car auctions a year -- two in Cape Girardeau, two in Paducah, Ky., and possibly another, as the market dictates. Smith said the economy has made it more difficult to sell some of the classic cars that go through his auctions.

"We've been affected like everybody else," Smith said. Before the recent downturn he estimated that 60 percent to 65 percent of the cars up for auction were sold. But because more cars don't bring a high enough bid to meet the seller's reserve, or minimum sale price, he is guessing this auction will sell only about half of the cars that go on the auction block.

Terry Dillard of Ash Flat, Ark., is a regular bidder at the Smith auctions. He owns a General Motors dealership and likes to buy old Chevrolet muscle cars from the '60s such as Corvettes, Camaros and Chevelles. He typically keeps the cars for a while, then "flips" them for a profit.

Bob Ausbrook of Marion, Ill., worked for 35 years at a Ford plant in the Chicago area. He was checking out a couple of '62 Ford Galaxie 500s that will be auctioned today. He likes to keep a classic car or two "just for fun," and is partial to 1960s Fords.

KIT DOYLE ~ kdoyle@semissourian.comPreparing for Smith's Collector Car Auction at the Show Me Center.

"They started building some pretty good cars in the '60s," Ausbrook said.

The sale kicked off Friday afternoon with an auction of collectible items such as pedal cars, bicycles and motor scooters. About 30 automobiles were to be auctioned later Friday evening, with another nearly 200 units to be put up for sale today beginning at 9 a.m. Doors will open at 8 a.m.

1333 N. Sprigg St., Cape Girardeau, MO