Crystal Wise
John Clay Wolfe
John Clay Wolfe, president and founder of the GIVE ME THE VIN™ (GMTV) empire, the nation’s largest vehicle wholesaler with nearly $2 billion in annual revenues, will sell the entire inventory of 42 rare, museum-quality classic cars on Wednesday at his personal arena inside Manheim Dallas.
John Clay Wolfe’s Classic Christmas Miracle auction will be comprised of a “discovered treasure trove” of classic cars value in the multimillions, according to publicity materials.
The event is for car dealers worldwide who can join the bidding via simulcast or in person. However, private buyers can also participate by contacting a dealer to bid on their behalf.
“With more than 30 full concours level, first, second and third generation Corvettes in this lot, this is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to buy the finest and rarest cars in the world,” Wolfe said. “Never thought I’d top my Alabama barn find, but this is next level. I’m just glad they weren’t delivered to my ranch because I would’ve never sold them.”
"Concours level" refers to cars that meet exceptionally high standards of restoration and presentation.
Typically, cars at this level are sold at Barrett-Jackson, Mecum, RM Sotheby’s and Broad Arrow auction houses where they charge buyers up to 12% in premium fees. This auction will include “minimal buy fees.”
Every vehicle includes meticulous documentation. A few examples of the cars that will be on the auction block:
1953 Corvette: VIN #5, the fifth Corvette ever built and one of the first three models ever sold to the public. It’s one of 300 produced in 1953 and has unique early production features. It was restored to National Corvette Restorers Society (NCRS) Top Flight award-winning standards and is a testament to Corvette’s earliest transition from show car to production.
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Big Tank Z06: 327 with 360 horsepower, fuel injection, 4-speed. Of the 199 Z06 option Corvettes produced in 1963, only 50 of the “Big Tank” cars are known to exist. This NCRS award-winning restoration is arguably the most valuable split window ‘63 corvette in existence.
1980 Pontiac Trans Am Smokey and the Bandit Edition: Only has 976 miles on it! This black-on-black iconic car made famous in Smokey and the Bandit, starring Burt Reynolds, is just one of the five Smokey and the Bandit vehicles included in this collection.