Classic Car Collection starts online auction

KEARNEY, Neb. (KSNB) - After 12 years of maintaining a collection of cars, the owner’s putting them up for auction. The Classic Car Collection Museum in Kearney is holding an online auction from June 13 to June 20.

There are approximately 140 cars for sale, however some cars are not for sale. Officials said the cars are one of a kind and show the artistic side of restoring a classic.

“When you start researching and see the evolution of the automobile and the artwork that had to go into it for design for people to create the character of the car,” said Alan Gentz, Owner of Classic Car Collection Museum. “It’s kind of like when a person goes out to dinner they’re not always going to wear blue jeans and a T-shirt, sometimes they might want to get dressed up.”

Gentz also compares the cars condition and features to getting ready for prom. He said the facility is currently overstocked, prompting the decision for a fresh start in collecting.

“Time wise we feel like it’s just where we are in the sequence of events,” Gentz said. “Sometimes you have to size down and move on to other ventures.”

Gentz said he’s working on getting cars that’ll appeal to younger demographics. He’s starting that process by talking to them about what cars they would like to see. One official said most times having an interest in classic cars is something passed down.

“It comes back to their family,” said Steven Nelson, Auction Manager, Steffes Group. “If their family’s’ involved lots of times that’s a big push for a younger generation, that they’re around. Dad had a classic car, grandpa had a classic car. That really drives their want to have a classic car.”

Nelson said younger demographics tend to appeal toward cars from their childhood, adding hot rod and restomod are the current trend.

“I’ve got my arms around a few of those out there and some specialty cars that will come in,” Gentz said. “Some cars that would be more of the movie type cars that they would show interest in that they’re familiar with and bring those in, celebrity cars. Right now we’re too crowded, we don’t have the room for them.”

Gentz said he hopes people come out and buy some classic cars to make room for new vehicles.