Vicari Auctions’ annual sale at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center, in Biloxi, is another reason to attend the massive, weeklong automotive extravaganza known as Cruisin’ the Coast. More than 10,000 vehicles were registered for the latest event, which stretched along roughly 45 miles of Highway 90 (Beach Boulevard) in Mississippi’s Gulf Coast region. For those who showed up without a hot rod or classic car, the Vicari auction offered immediate access to cruising material.
Approximately 600 vehicles crossed the block during four days of the auction and “attainable” was the theme that connected them—that’s the philosophy auction founder Pete Vicari has built into all his sales. Rather than the rarest and highest-value classics and muscle cars, the vast majority at Biloxi were cars, trucks, and hot rods that were comparatively affordable and literally could be driven right off the auction block to join the other cruisers on Beach Boulevard.
“I’ve always wanted to showcase the vehicles everyday enthusiasts can buy and enjoy,” Vicari says. “All of our auctions are aimed at offering cars and trucks across the spectrum and not just the high end of the market.”
Sales for the event totaled $8.15 million, including a few motorbikes, memorabilia, some jewelry and more. Sure, there were several six-figure cars offered in Biloxi—including a 1971 Hemi ’Cuda, a couple of vintage Shelby Mustangs, and a stunning 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz. The top seller was a 1968 Shelby G.T. 500KR convertible that brought $210,100. Most of the vehicles at the auction, however, sold for between $20,000 and $50,000—with the average sale price
