I had a few reasons for choosing Vegas instead of Scottsdale. My decisions were based on:

(1) First and very important, supply and demand, I thought at Vegas EmptyNest would be a superstar, and at Scottsdale just another nice car lost in a see of amazing cars. I think I was right there also, I think that is exactly what happened.

(2) In early September when I made the decision, the stock market was going up, up, up. And the stock market went up every single day of the auction too. In October and oil and fuel prices were still under $70 barrel and under $2.50 gallon. I thought some people might have false feeling of confidence in the economy. I made the right choice, the market has been down and oil and gas are up!

(3) I thought there was a high likely hood things would not be as good economically, and I was almost certain people would be less enchanted with the government and some of things that have been happening. Without getting to political. I made the right decision there also, disapproval ratings are climbing at a faster rate then Bush, the new guys numbers are lower at a quicker pace then the old guy. And people with money are very politically active and are very frustrated with the way things are going. I hear it everyday.

And Greg is correct, the car sitting there dirty and no one there selling it, running it across the block with the ass stuck in the air with the air ride on kill, they got what they deserved.

But as for pimping the car, I worked the car every open minute at Vegas and at the end of the day, just did not get the strong players.

I love the car but honestly think a different color combo would have made a world of difference. White with blue ain't gonna cut it for 9 out of 10 buyers IMO.

In the end, you done good Frank!

I think you exactly correct. if you do not appreciate the tribute theme of the white and blue 1969 Trans Ams, you wonder why it is white and blue. Not my favorite colors. I think colors and being a Firebird both hurt it. I do have to think had I built it the original black and gold theme I had rendered, it probably would have done better. But I built it to pay tribute to the orignal, but no one cared, LOL!

Lisa still wants one she can drive. I have a body and we are collecting parts to do another, MUCH less radical version. I will keep the investment low and still maike it a fun car, easy to get the money out of. Body will be the same exact theme, roll bar, boot, extc, but mild LS motor for sure, and black and gold, Screw the Pontiac guys, they did not respect it anyway. So i will put a LS in it and Bowtie emblem on the tail pan!

I was never crazy about the car. It was apparent it was a personal build for Lisa. Not taking anything away from the execution. It's a gorgeous car, but not a Barrett Jackson candidate. Frank, you did well buddy. :cheers:

Damn, you did good getting out of it when you did Frank! It's a bummer for us Firebird guys, but that's why I didn't go overboard with my bird. Just the name of the game. This is my first bird, but I likely won't do another Pontiac unless it's a nut and bolt restoration on a desirable car. A stock '69 400 coupe went for $60K at R&M I think I heard, which was a bright spot I suppose. But, you're right, Pontiac people are self righteous most of the time. My car draws the crowd at the local shows...but typically the Pontiac guys snub me the entire time, 10' away. F@ck em, put an LS into the next one. I would have in hindsight.

Well f__k you 2! I don't like black 69 Camaros either..............wait......I guess I do since I have one of those too! DAMN! LOL!

No, we did not build ot for resale value, just wanted to see it done.

The next in house project we are building (working on it today in fact) is not being built for resale value either and is a total different style then EmptyNest. And we already picked the love it or hate it, most likely to ofend color ever. So we could fall right into the same catagory when we sell it too. Whatever.

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :thumbsup:

I didn't say I hated it...it just wasn't black or a Camaro. :rofl: It sure would be interesting to see how colors effect selling prices at Barrett.

:lol: :cheers:

Frank, as for the guy who had the winning bid at LV. Did he ever talk to you about the car before it went on the block? Just curious.