Going once, going twice... Sold

From the Calgary Herald, March 31, 2000, By Greg Williams

International auction houses such as Christie's and Sotheby's may be better known for selling art and antiques, but both houses also conduct automobile and motorcycle sales. And if you happen to be looking for a sleek Bugatti roadster or a powerful Brough Superior motorcycle, these auction houses could be your answer.

In Calgary, however, there are cheaper and more convenient public auctions at which you can bid on your `dream' automobile, truck or motorcycle.

To be sure, saying you bought your new vehicle at the Calgary Parking Authority unclaimed vehicle auction just doesn't have the same ring to it as saying, "I bought it at Sotheby's:'

But, for many thousands of dollars less, a vehicle can be had from a Calgary Parking vehicle auction, alt Au auctions Ltd. vehicle sale or Harold Heninger's annual Car Crazy Collector Car Auction.

The Calgary Parking Authority unclaimed vehicle auction runs on the first Saturday after the 14th of every month at the vehicle impound lot on the corner of 38 Ave. and Manchester Road S.E. Vehicles offered at this auction have either been abandoned or officially seized.

"As an example, if somebody has been pulled over, and they don't have insurance, that vehicle will be seized," explains auctioneer David Galvin. The Galvin Auction Company is under contract with the Calgary Parking Authority, and it is the Authority who runs the sale and the impound lot."

People (who have had an abandoned or seized vehicle towed) always have the right to pay impound storage and towing charges," Galvin says. "But, when these vehicles are left unclaimed, they are disposed of at auction."

Vehicles are held in storage a minimum of 30 days before moving to the auction. "The Calgary Parking Authority makes every attempt we can to contact the present owner before the vehicle goes to auction," explains Calgary Parking Authority public relations coordinator Joan Hickie.

Those that aren't claimed can become great deals at the auction, which the Galvins have been working at for close to 4o years. In 1974, David Galvin took over the auto auction duties from his father, Earl, who began auctioning off impounded vehicles in 1952.

"We've been doing the auto auction for a long time, and still really enjoy doing it," Galvin says.

All bidding takes place outdoors, and the crowd must follow Galvin along the row of unclaimed vehicles as he calls the auction from the back of a pick-up truck. No luxuries exist at this auction if it's cold - bring your own lined coats and mittens. If it's hot, bring your own sunscreen and bug repellent. But no matter what the weather, coffee and snacks are available from the catering truck.

This auction attracts a wide variety of people, and it would be safe to say some come mostly for the Saturday morning entertainment. Almost every vehicle for sale on the lot will require repairs and inspections before being road legal. And, in many cases, various cars and trucks are sold as parts vehicles - they'll never be on the road"

We see a very interesting cross section of people," Galvin says. "We see commercial buyers, people who purchase cars to sell again, or to use for parts. We also see hobby mechanics, ones who are handy at fixing up vehicles."

There are some rules at this auction - such as the too minimum bid on all automobiles and trucks. Trailers, truck toppers and motorcycles have no minimum price. If a car or truck is purchased, the buyer must pay the hammer price, a tow fee and the GST At $37.60, the obligatory tow fee will see delivery of the vehicle anywhere in urban Calgary. And it's buyer beware at this auction - all sales are final.

However, if you don't fancy bidding outside, you could check out Regal Auctions Ltd., which holds an indoor public vehicle auction every Wednesday evening and Saturday morning - except Christmas and New Year's.

Ron Henchell, president of Regal Auctions, says his company has sold around 84,000 vehicles over the past is years.

"We are probably Alberta's biggest used-vehicle outlet," Henchell says. About 40 per cent of the vehicles offered at Regal are privately consigned, while the other 60 per cent are consigned by dealers, government agencies, or as part of fleet dispersals.

A massive steel building houses the majority of the vehicles. Bigger units, such as the RVs, stay outdoors. During the week, the keys are available and potential buyers are allowed to start up the vehicles.

"Buyers can come in anytime before a sale, and they can bring a mechanic, or a knowledgeable friend with them if they want," Henchell explains. 'The vehicle can't leave the premises and it can't be driven around the lot. But, if there is a major problem (such as no transmission), the buyer is aware of that:'

Regal runs a four-lane auction with as many as four vehicles being auctioned at the same time. Sounds confusing, but the system works. Bidders sit on bleachers, and these seats line a lane, down which the consigned vehicles are driven, parked, auctioned off and then driven away.

Many of the vehicles have a reserve bid; if the consignor's "sell for" dollar figure is not reflected in the bidding, the vehicle remains unsold. But, at every auction there are select vehicles selling with no reserve.

Henchell figures about 6o to 65 per cent of his buyers are private individuals purchasing either a family or second vehicle. Used-vehicle retailers make up the remaining 4o per cent of buyers. On average, 35o to 400 vehicles roll down Regal auction lanes every sale.

Perhaps unique for a public vehicle auction house, Regal offers a Buyer Protection Policy. This policy, simply stated, may protect a buyer who has bought a vehicle which has a defect.

A consignor is required to declare certain vehicular information and declare whether a vehicle has any problems. If this information is incorrect, or specific problems as defined in the policy do exist, but were not declared, the vehicle is subject to arbitration - as long as it was sold for more than $4,000 and not sold as is:

If a vehicle is purchased, Regal requires $500 down, with the balance due on the next banking day.

For those who prefer to drive down memory lane, a trip to Harold Heninger's annual Car Crazy Collector Car Auction may be just the ticket. 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."

Heninger operates just one Car Crazy Collector Car Auction a year, and this year's auction runs April 29 and 3o at the University of Calgary Olympic Oval.

For the past five years, Heninger has hired Rodney and Mike Burnett of Vancouver Auto Dealers Auction to handle the bidding.Potential buyers come from as far away as Australia, Germany and Holland. American collector vehicle enthusiasts are also in attendance.Heninger's auctions tend to be a bit more classy - thanks mainly to the high interest in collectible cars and trucks.

"I've tried to make my auction like the Barrett-Jackson (classic and collector vehicle) auctions in Pheonix," Heninger says. Vehicles are displayed on large pieces of carpet, and, last year, Sunny side Greenhouses provided live trees and flowers to help showcase the vintage iron. Auctioneers wear tuxedos, and Car Crazy staff are in uniform.

Notable vehicles which have driven across the Car Crazy auction block include: a 1955 Chevrolet Bel-Air four door with 26,000 original miles; a 1970 Dodge Challenger T/A with a six-pack carburetor set-up; a 1(947 Mercury F-47 show truck and a variety of sports cars such as MGBs and Jaguar E-types.

Heninger says some trucks, motorcycle and automobiles have sold in the past for as little as $350 and some sought-after models have sold for upwards of $8 ,000.Vehicles for a Car Crazy auction often come From B.C., Saskatchewan and Manitoba, while the Alberta vehicles up for bid come faun across the province.

While these three Calgary public vehicles may not have International panache, they do offer their own distinct style and assortment of vehicles, from a Plymouth K-Car to a retired police model Harley-Davidson.

So, even if you're not in the market for a vehicle, there's entertainment value at these auctions and that's often why you'll find people going once, going twice…