Less than Astra-nomical bid that failed
It’s been featured almost everywhere and a $120,000 offer reflects today’s economic realities.
Story By Nigel Matthews
The first time that I laid eyes on the Astra was in 2008 at the B.C. Classic and Custom Car Show at the Tradex Exhibition Centre in Abbotsford.
The Astra is an extraordinary custom car that debuted at the Petersen Motorama. Since then, it has been featured in every major custom and hot rod publication of the 1950s, including Hop Up, Hot Rod, Motor Trend and Rod & Custom, and was recently featured in a two-part article in Rod & Custom.
To be honest with you, I had never heard of the car (why would I, growing up in England and interested in European Sports Cars). But it was a special treat being a part of the buzz and excitement at the show when George Barris came over to view the car and talk to JF Launier. The up-and-coming Launier, who is a former Ridler Award semifinalist and the owner of JF Kustoms in Osoyoos, B.C., won the World’s Most Beautiful Custom award at the 59th Sacramento Autorama in California.
The Astra had recently been restored by Launier and his team. After the B.C. launch, it embarked on a trip around the U.S. show circuit, and it was at that time the owner turned to me for some help in securing some insurance coverage.
During my meeting with George Barris, I asked him what he thought the Astra was worth and he replied immediately “nothing less than $250,000.” Do you think the high bid of $120,000 and a no-sale at the RM Auction in Phoenix last month is a sign of the current economic times?
Perhaps it is, but my opinion is that the market for show cars and customs has declined steadily since the market peaked in 2005 and this is the new reality.
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