Classic Car Auction Aids Kids

From the Calgary Herald, March 26, 1999, By Greg Williams

Harold Heninger has come a long way since 1995, the year he held his first Car Crazy Collector Car Auction at the Heninger dealership on Macleod Trail.

"I outgrew the top floor of dad's building the first year," Heninger explains. "And 1998 was the last year for the Roundup Centre. It just wasn't big enough either."

This year, on April 30, May 1 and 2, Heninger will hold his fifth annual Car Crazy auction at the University of Calgary Olympic Oval. The change in venue has allowed Heninger to organize a vintage automobile parts-swap meet.

"So far, I've booked 50 swap-meet tables," Heninger says. "The swap is a little side-line to the auction. I've never had room before to do this.

"In addition, many prominent Calgary auto restoration specialty shops will be in attendance, to provide advice to both neophyte and seasoned vehicle aficionados. An auto appraiser Will be available to offer on-the-spot quotes.

"I've tried to make my auction like the Barrett-Jackson (classic and collector vehicle) auctions in Phoenix," Heninger says. The classic vehicles are displayed on large pieces of carpet, and Sunnyside Greenhouses are providing live trees and flowers to help showcase the vintage iron. The auctioneers will be wearing tuxedos, and the Car Crazy staff will be in uniform.

And if that is not classy enough, Heninger has again hired the band Celebration to play, "nice music, not rock 'n' roll."

The Candlelighters Kids for Cancer charity will receive funds raised by a pre-auction event Heninger refers to as the Memorabilia Auction.

"We will sell 10 items each day before the selling of the vehicles commences," Heninger says. "We have kids toys, gift certificates, even two tickets from Westjet for anywhere they fly.

"And all proceeds from the Memorabilia Auction goes to Kids With Cancer. We hope to raise $3,000 to $4,000.

"Last year, the proceeds went to the Calgary Inter-Faith Food Bank.

But what of the vehicles that will roll across the block!

Auctioneers Rodney and Mike Burnett of the Vancouver Auto Dealers Auction will solicit bids on vehicles such as a 1955 Chevrolet Bel-Air four-door with 26,000 original miles. For muscle car enthusiasts, the 1970 Dodge Challenger T/A,with a six pack carb set-up will definitely be a highlight of the sale.

And for a taste of the exotic with modern day practicality, a 1936 Mercedes Marina replica built on a 1991 Ford Mustang chassis is the perfect dish.

"This car has 3,117 miles on it, and it was donated to the Kidney Foundation," Heninger confirms. "So the money from the sale of this car goes directly to the Kidney Foundation.

"Other vehicles include a 1993 Harley-Davidson, a 1947 Mercury F-47 show truck, an Acura NSX sports car, a 1956 Corvette, and a 1966 Cadillac Eldorado convertible.

Doors open at the Oval at 4 p.m. on Friday, April 30, with a special no-reserve auction of 25 vehicles getting under way at 7 p.m. The venue will remain open until 11 p.m. On Saturday, May 1 doors open at 9 a.m., with the auction starting at noon. Again, doors are open until 11 p.m. And on Sunday, May 2, the doors open at 9 a.m., auction at noon, with a wrap-up time of 6:30 or 7 p.m. Admission is $6, and includes a bid card. Those aged 12 and under enter the auction free.

To Speak to Greg Williams, call 287-1067 or

e-mail: williagm@cadvision.com