An auction of vintage cars , this weekend , a small town in Nebraska , United States, is stirring the hearts of collectors around the world. The corresponding Julio Mosquera and Lucio Rodrigues show some of these relics .

Fifty years of history . From 1946 to 1996 , Ray Lambrecht became a car salesman unbeatable scratch and an obstinate collector of used cars. During this period , the country has had ten presidents . John Kennedy was assassinated , Richard Nixon resigned . The women took to the streets to fight for equal rights . The world saw Soviets and Americans on opposite sides during the Cold War . Witnessed the wars in Vietnam and the Gulf .

Two decades after retirement , Ray Lambrecht , at 95 years old , returned to make history. The dealership closed 17 years ago , turned tourist spot , with furniture and appliances of the past half century .

The Canadian Jerel Fosberg traveled 3600 kilometers to see firsthand the legacy of the American. "It's a unique opportunity ," he says .

The trader Ray had a motto : only sell new cars . The used , which accepted as part of the deal , he kept thinking about the future. Not open exception. What say the friend Don Zimmer .

" Only once he agreed to negotiate a used car with me . But asked for an absurdly high price , "says Zimmer .

And so resisted for five decades . Ray decided it was even time to get rid of the treasure that was so much time with the family . The relics were brought to a place that has become a kind of field of dreams collectors. There are 500 cars, some with more than 50 years.

Was the auctioneer Ivette Vanderbrick that with patience and determination , managed to convince him to sell the collection. " We negotiated for over a year, until he agrees to sign the contract ," he says .

Many cars were damaged by years on the open farm with Ray suffered storms and thieves pieces . But there are classics that seem to have left the factory . It is the case of Cameo , 1960 . Fetch the equivalent of U.S. $ 315,000 .

The sporty Corvette is another in optimal conditions . Was auctioned for U.S. $ 180,000 . The manufacturer's information are still intact . The car was manufactured in 1978 .

The Belair is another pearl of the collection . The door is stuck , but is also new . The key is in the ignition . Will give up driving away .

The Sheriff of Pierce remembers the day that led Ray to see the cars for the last time. " He said, ' My God, my God.'"

Rick says that the town of 1,700 inhabitants , which seems to have stopped in time , will be sad without cars . But if console : "Money can not buy our memories ."

Very cool Jerel, you're likely a star in Brazil.

StriperSS wrote:

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I had lunch with a celebrity!  Very cool, Jerel!

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That's nothing, a movie star stayed at our house AND at our cabin... Top that!

This is the TV news with the largest audience in Brazil, millions of people see it!

Very cool for sure!!

 

Carl, the prices are in brazilian currency. R$180.000 = US$70.000 

StriperSS wrote:

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I had lunch with a celebrity!  Very cool, Jerel!

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 Geez John, we should have got Jerel's autograph, next time we will for sure....on his VISA tab.

When Carl posted about the auction in Minnesota earlier today it reminded me of the VandenBrink auction I went to 6 years ago in Nebraska. I also had this 15 second interview with the Brazilian television which some of you have already seen on here. Link isn't working all the time but usually does show. A good memory of a 2 week road trip with the old car and meeting Carl.

You never told me you were a celeb! Going to paint a circle on my deck where you stood!! Can sign it next trip... (took me 3 tries to view it)

jmont64 wrote:

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Sounds good. Maybe I will come out in September and we can go visit the Tin Man. Also my signature is quite valuable as I think there have only been a couple of them.

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 Must have been a great student.... I always had to sign in and out of DETENTION!!!!