Eddie Van Halen to Auction a Pair of 1956 Chevy Classics at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale
Custom, Theme-Matching Guitar to be Auctioned with Each Vehicle
A pair of Chevrolet classics from the personal collection of rock ‘n’ roll icon Eddie Van Halen will be sold at No Reserve during the 38th Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction in Scottsdale, Ariz., Jan. 11-18, 2009.
The 1956 Chevy 210 (Lot #1259) and 1956 Chevy Nomad (Lot #1259.1) will each be auctioned with matching, one-of-a-kind EVH Brand “Wolfgang” guitars and a pair of red, white, and black EVH striped sneakers. Hailed as “The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions™,” the Scottsdale auction and lifestyle event will feature a diverse mix of the world’s most desirable collector vehicles. SPEED will broadcast nearly 40 hours of live, high-definition coverage of all six auction days.
“Rock ‘n’ roll and collector cars go hand in hand,” said Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson. “And Eddie’s cars, although from the same year, represent the diversity of the collector car hobby. The Nomad is restored to original specifications while the 210 is a custom built street rod with modern performance gear. I expect these cars to enter special collections that salute both rock ‘n’ roll and automobiles.”
The maroon 1956 Chevrolet 210 is a Pro Street hot rod built by customizer Jim Van Gordon. The car features a powerful 454 c.i.d. big block Chevy engine that pumps out more than 600 horsepower, making it suitable for the drag strip while still street legal. Additional highlights include a narrowed 9-inch Ford rear end with Detroit Locker, Mark Williams axles, 4.30 gears, 4-link coil-over suspension, disc brakes, and custom wheels and tires. Racing gauges and a dark grey color scheme underline the interior of the 210.”
Van Halen’s 1956 Chevrolet Nomad station wagon sports a classic “Cashmere Blue” and white paint scheme and was once part of the famed “The Harrah Collection” in Reno, Nev. The car underwent a frame-off restoration and features a 265 c.i.d., 210 horsepower “Power Pack” V8 engine, power steering and power brakes. An upgrade to disc brakes was added for improved stopping and safer driving.”
“Out of all the cars I have owned over the years, I hung onto the ‘56 Sedan and Nomad because I was closely involved in restoring and building them, so they are very special to me,” explained Van Halen. “I almost hate to let them go, but I don’t have the time to drive them. It kills me to see them sit there when someone else could be driving them and have the pleasure and joy of owning these beautiful classic cars.”
“Since they are so dear to me, I thought I would make it even more special by having two custom made Wolfgang guitars built to match each car,” Van Halen added. “I hope the new owners enjoy these cars as much as I have and keep the guitars and cars in their families for a long time, because they are all one-of-a-kind.”
The Van Halen cars and guitars will be joined by the world’s most desirable collector vehicles and automobilia to be sold at the historic Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction. Lifestyle attractions will also return to Barrett-Jackson in January in the form of luxury vendors, galas and fashion shows. Barrett-Jackson’s trendy night-spot, “The Garage,” will be the site of exclusive gatherings throughout the event.
Established in 1971 and headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Barrett-Jackson specializes in providing products and services to classic and collector car owners, astute collectors and automotive enthusiasts around the world. The company produces the “World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions™” in Scottsdale, Palm Beach, Fla. and Las Vegas. For more information about Barrett-Jackson, visit www.barrett-jackson.com
Filed under: Eddie Van Halen
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January 9th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
Hey Ed, How about a VH update!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 9th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
Cool cars
January 9th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
Yeah really, enough already with all this bullsh’t. Can’t someone get VH to give us some real BAND news ???We dont care about the cars, guitars, tequila, &/or whatever else.
January 10th, 2009 at 6:57 am
Lets see…they are a Rock BAND that has sold us Guitars , Tequila , Cars , Hot Sauce , Strings , Amplifiers , Picks , T-Shirts , and a way of life. All that is good but maybe some news regarding what they do for a living , oh I don’t know , once or twice a year?!?! Hey Ed? I am going to work for saturdays the rest of my life probably but when my clients ask me what is going on I keep them informed , but what do i know ? I’m just one of the goofy fans without whom you wouldn’t even own those two cars….
January 10th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
My father is in the auto restoration business, and I’ve seen Ed’s Nomad before. It’s a super, super clean car. The Barrett-Jackson website gives the approximate date of the auction for those two cars as Saturday, January 17. I’m sure EVH will be there. Maybe they’ll interview him. At the last Barrett-Jackson auction, Michael Anthony sold one of his cars and they interviewed him. Same with Sammy and one of his cars a couple of years ago.
Funny story behind the license plate on Ed’s car. Apparently, Ed bought the Nomad somewhere in SoCal and the car overheated on the drive back to his place in Studio City. His then-wife was very pregnant at the time and waiting for him to get home to take her to the hospital. He was excited about the car wanted to show it to her. She couldn’t care less and was mad that he drove an old car some 50 miles through L.A. traffic when he knew she had to get to the doctor. Hence, the license plate “She’s Mad.”
My first car was a 1957 Nomad. My license plate said “Rob’s Mad.” I wasn’t mad, though; it’s just that “Rob’s Nomad” wouldn’t fit onto the plate. I had a newspaper route for three years to save up for my first car. I bought that Nomad for $1,200 in 1978 when I was 15. I still clearly remember tearing it apart in the garage and listening to Van Halen’s first album really loud. Good times…
January 10th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
Thats gonna be one hell of a auction. Great idea to throw in the custom guitars
Looks as if EVH is hanging with Gene more than we know.
January 10th, 2009 at 10:22 pm
the Nomad is worth looking at.
January 10th, 2009 at 10:38 pm
just give me the guitar and sneakers
i could care less about the cars (couldent even afford the new wolfgang let alone a car)
January 11th, 2009 at 2:46 am
Go Chargers!
It’s sad for me I have had my camera on stand by since 1987 hoping I would meet Edward and take my pic with him the same way he took his pic with Eric. I guess that won’t ever happen.
January 11th, 2009 at 3:32 am
Real cool looking cars.
January 11th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
This is great for a couple of wealthy car collectors. I can’t wait for the next Van Halen Album. That I can afford.
January 11th, 2009 at 6:49 pm
Yeah, thats great…cars……How bout trying to sell us some new music Ed?
By the way, what Dave been doing since the end of the tour? Haven’t heard a peep out of him!
January 12th, 2009 at 5:31 am
Sammy Hagar has better cars. : )
January 12th, 2009 at 6:24 am
Man! Nobody wants to give Ed a break do they? The guy just did a tour, launched a new product line, proposed to his lady. I’m sure he will get the music out when he get his life together at home. Wolfgang is graduating and Ed’s getting married this year. After that, i’m sure he’ll call the group together and begin his guitar magic and make the music. Take your time Ed. You have been shoved around long enough.He’s only human.
January 12th, 2009 at 6:26 am
BTW, I agree Travis! Sammy does have some kick ass cars doesn’t he?
January 12th, 2009 at 10:32 am
they all do,, but they live in a different world than I do.
January 12th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
It would be nice if Ed donated the proceeds to cancer research.
January 12th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
HEY ED
COME TO CHILE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MY HOME IS YOUR HOME
VAN HALEN IN CHILE…. THE BIGEST DREAM