TSAA POWERSPORT AUCTION - JUNE 30TH

TSAA, at 14001 S. Karlov Ave., is holding the first of many "powersport" public auction of motorcycles and classic cars on Saturday June 30th.

From Harley-Davidsons to muscle cars such as the 1981 Firebird Trans Am and the 1980 Camaro Z-28, more than two dozen vehicles will be on the auction blocks.

Doors open at 8 a.m. Admission is $7, and visitors receive a bid card to use if they decide to place a bid on a vehicle.

Previewing the vehicles can be done until 11:30 a.m.

Jim Drury, president of Ride Again Auctions, which operates within the Tri-State Auto Auctions facility, said he's anticipating close to 500 people for Saturday's event in Crestwood.

"This (auction) is a way to bring buyers and sellers to market," Drury said. "That's what we do here.

"Basically, I'm a Realtor for your stuff," he said. "Rather than someone going from place to place looking for a motorcycle or car, we have the vehicles right here."

Vehicles are brought up in lanes, and Drury uses what he calls the "auction method, or chant," which is what you'd hear at a livestock auction.

"But I talk slower so everyone can understand what I'm saying," Drury said.

Sellers pay a $75 consignment fee that covers the "marketing of the vehicles."

Digital photos of the vehicles are taken and downloaded on the Web site www.proxibid.com.

Viewers even can bid for the vehicles on the Internet.

Drury called the Tri-State Auto Auction "one-stop shopping."

"Everything you need is in this facility," he said. "You need financing? -- we've got (it). You need a title transfer? -- we've got that, too."

Drury's advice for people looking to sell their vehicles?

"It's got to run, and it should be cleaned up," he said.

Drury said there are more than 90,000 motorcycles registered in Cook County and the collar counties.

He said each vehicle is auctioned in between three and four minutes.

Come check us out this Saturday!