Sale offers classic gems to auto buffs

From the Calgary Herald April 23/04 by Greg Williams

Harold Heninger and his Car Crazy Spring Classic Collector Car Auction have become something of a Calgary institution. This year, Heninger is celebrating 10 years of selling antique and special-interest autos and trucks.

Heninger is the first to admit those 10 years haven’t been easy. There were numerous venue changes. Then there was the indignity of a major snowfall on the day of last years auction. We’ve held auctions all over the city,” Heninger says. “And the snow and cold last year was rough – but we’re here to stay.”

Heninger has finally found a heated, enclosed location that will comfortably hold 400 bidders and allow easy access for sale vehicles to roll across the block. This year, Car Crazy continues its association with Frank Sisson’s Silver Dollar Casino, but rather than holding the sale in a festival tent on the parking lot, Heninger is using a large warehouse bay directly south of the main casino. “We’ve installed halogen lighting and the building is well heated,” Heninger says. “It won’t matter what the weather brings, the elements won’t bother us anymore.”

This is a permanent venue for Car Crazy and Heninger plans to double the number of auctions he holds by adding a fall sale. The first fall collector car auction for Calgary in four years will be held October 1 and 2.

More that 150 vehicles – 35 of which will have no reserve price – are expected at the spring sale. Cars and trucks dating from 1926 to 1989 will roll across the block.

Vehicles include a 1926 Ford Model T race car. This little red speedster ran its last documented race in Regina in 1960 and will be sold with original photos of the car in action. A rare 1954 Chev Bel Air six-cylinder two door hardtop in turquoise and white, with factory installed fender skirts, power steering and power brakes will be on offer. It was shipped to Car Crazy from Toronto and has only 37,000 original miles. Something a bit more modern is a 1983 Ferrari 308GT with only 12,000 km on the clock.

“All of my vehicles this year of exceptional quality,”

Heninger says. A memorabilia auction sees the proceeds from the sales of pedal cars, signed racing prints and even a moped going to the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation. Heninger hopes to donate close to $6,000 to the foundation and is including all funds realized from the sale of a 1946 Dodge Special Deluxe sedan.

Car Crazy’s 10 th anniversary auction is at the Silver Dollar Casino, 1010 42 nd Ave SE. Viewing is Friday from 4 – 10pm. On Saturday, doors open at 8am and the auction starts at 10am. Admission is $10 including bidder card, or $15 for a two day pass. For details, call Heninger at 287-6565 or visit www.carcrazy.ca for a list of vehicles available.