Press Release: Kruse International's Auburn Spring Motorfair Results
Kruse International's Auburn Spring Motorfair Shatters Previous Year's Numbers For Immediate Release Contact: Stephanny Hartzell May 8, 2003 (800) 968-4444 ext. 254 Auburn, IN-The theme of the 12th annual Auburn Spring Motorfair was "The Dean is Back" and Dean Kruse was indeed back in a big way. The event, which was held May 1-4 at Kruse Auction Park in Auburn, Indiana, broke last year's records for total dollars sold and the number of cars sold. The event featured over 800 cars, up from last year's total of approximately 500 collector vehicles. Kruse International sold over $6.5 million worth of collector cars over a four-day period, exceeding last year's sale by almost 30 percent. The percentage of cars sold also increased, showing a gain of 15 percent over last year's sale. On Friday of the sale, a one hundred-car collection crossed the block, the largest collection to be offered on a Friday of Auburn Spring. The collection, which was consigned by North Carolina auto dealer Michael Leith, ranged from classic cars to muscle cars to exotic vehicles. One of the standouts in the collection included a 1935 Packard 1204 Super 8 convertible that sold for $112,360. On Saturday over 400 cars crossed the auction block. At the close of business Saturday evening, Kruse International's cumulative total was in excess of $5.5 million, already exceeding the previous year's sales figures. Saturday's top sales included a 1957 Plymouth Belvedere convertible that sold for $48,760 and a 1935 Ford custom hot rod that sold for $46,110. The top ten sales for the event included: * 1935 Packard 1204 Super Eight convertible for $112,360 * 1953 Cadillac convertible for $77,910 * 1967 Chevrolet Corvette convertible for $62,540 * 1968 Shelby Mustang GT 500 fastback for $61,480 * 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible for $58,035 * 1957 Plymouth Belvedere convertible for $48,760 * 1935 Ford custom hot rod for $47,170 * 1941 Cadillac Series 62 convertible for $44,255 * 1934 Ford Deluxe roadster for $43,990 This year's Auburn Spring event was Kruse International's first Auburn auction since Kruse bought the company back from eBay.com in December 2002. Kruse, founder and CEO of Kruse International, originally sold the auction company to eBay.com in May 1999. "I'm really pleased with how this event went. It was my first time behind the auction podium in Auburn since I bought the company back, and I can't tell you how great it felt," Kruse said. "People ask me why I work eighteen hours a day, and I tell them that it isn't work. It's my hobby. I love cars." Stephanny Hartzell, vice president of public relations for Kruse International credits the successful sale to two major factors. "Having almost 50% more cars this year than we had last year for this event obviously helps our overall sales total. On Friday we had an incredible 100 car collection cross the block, with several cars bringing in over $100,000 each," said Hartzell. "But the most important factor in this event's success is the return of Dean Kruse. His comeback has generated a sense of excitement among our clients, and this event wouldn't have been successful without them," said Hartzell. Prior to the Spring Motorfair, Kruse had expressed a need for a successful event in order to launch a record-breaking Auburn Fall, which will be held September 27th through August 2nd. "Last year for Spring Motorfair we had around 500 cars. This year we had over 800. That's an incredible jump in the number of cars, and I think we'll see that trend repeat itself for Auburn Fall," said Kruse. "I knew going into this event that in order to have a successful Fall event, Spring would have to be huge. Well, it was, and I can't wait to see what Auburn Fall brings."
