ON THE BLOCK; WILL ECONOMIC WOES CHILL THE MARKET FOR COLLECTOR CARS?(NEWS)

Byline: DAVE KINNEY

THE JANUARY ARIZONA CAR auctions are seen as a test of the health of the classic-car marketplace. Amid concern that things could be different from recent years when sales records were routinely broken, 2009 is an open book. Despite the global economic slump, there will be no talk of bailout money for the auctions. This show will go on, even if pricing levels change.

The perennial big dog, Barrett-Jackson, has grown into a lifestyle event. With celebrity sightings and a big-top atmosphere, there is something for everyone in this nonstop party of a sale. The cheap cars go Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 13-15. Things get serious, and expensive, when the TV lights come up. One to watch early on Saturday: Lot 1276.1, a 1970 Chevrolet Nova Yenko (Deuce Coupe), one of a reported 175 built, with a Z28 Camaro LTI, 350/360 hp, and a Muncie four-speed. With its good docs and history, this Nova will go big, up to $135,000 if all checks out.

David Gooding was born into the world of classic cars (see autoweek.com for a profile of him), and Gooding & Co. is poised to make its second year at Phoenix another memorable event. Expect higher-dollar cars and a more subdued feel. The celebrities are more likely to be ex-Grand Prix drivers than former TV stars. One car of dozens worth noting is a 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California spider, Chassis 1963. It's part of a large estate collection, being sold at no reserve.

RM Auctions is a juggernaut with sales in North America and Europe, and the Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa in Phoenix hosts this 10th-annual event. The standing-room-only affair draws a mix of international buyers and sellers along with well-known dealers and collectors. Expect one of the superstar cars to appear early in the lineup, Lot 130, a 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport roadster, Serial No. 002. A legendary Corvette, ...