Emporian’s truck part of national auction in Arizona

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By Chris Walker (Contact)

Originally published 01:28 p.m., January 14, 2008
Updated 01:28 p.m., January 14, 2008

If you want to buy a 2005 supercharged Chevy Colorado, chances are you will not find one in the classifieds of tonight’s paper. But if you are watching the Speed Channel on TV tomorrow you will see one on the auction block during the Barrett-Jackson car auction in Scottsdale, Ariz.

The Barrett-Jackson auction is the largest car auction in the United States, with more than 250,000 people expected to attend the event. And Greg Giger of Giger Street Rods is hoping that kind of attention will bring a good selling price for his modified Chevy Colorado.

However, with more than 1,200 vehicles in the auction and some of the rare cars bringing hundreds of thousands of dollars, Giger is hoping his truck does not get lost in the crowd.

“We sell the first day, so that is not the greatest day, but we have TV time, so that should help,” Giger said “We are hoping it brings $25,000 to $30,000.”

Giger built the truck to resell, so they added many extras.

“When we got it, we tore it apart,” Giger said. “We took out the interior, put sound-proofing in, new carpet, power windows, power door locks, concert quality sound system, three televisions, lowered it, new paint with flames and a supercharger. It was the first 4-banger in the country with a supercharger. We also painted up a mini-chopper to match the truck and that will go with it in the bed.”

“It’s fun to drive,” Giger said. “It is a pocket rocket. And the interior is so quiet.”

Not just anyone can get a car in the auction. The vehicle has to be selected.

“You have to send pictures and be approved. Once they accept you, then they place you and your fees are based on that,” Giger said .

Giger will pay a $1,000 listing fee and sellers fees to have his car auctioned off.

The event is called a car auction, but with all the people and activities it is really an experience. Other activities include gala events, fashion shows, vendor booths and nightly live entertainment.

The auction starts Tuesday and will run through Sunday, and the Speed Channel will film every day during the auction.

This is not Giger’s first time to be in a Barrett-Jackson auction. He entered a motorcycle six years ago and was pleased with the results, since it brought twice as much as it would have brought on the Internet.

Giger is hoping for similar outcome tomorrow.

The auction will accept online bids. For more information go to barrett-jackson.com.