“Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.”
Mike Tyson isn’t known for his sage wisdom, but, boy howdy, do those words ring true these days — even if we’re dealing with that idea in a less literal way than he did way back in his boxing days.
Still, there’s a time when knowing that something will happen and preparing for it, which is a lot of theory and expectations, and then there is the time when that thing actually happens.
Late last Wednesday, Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance announced that the 2020 event will be canceled due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns.
Within minutes, I had an announcement from Gooding & Company that their scheduled sale at Pebble later this August will also not happen until 2021.
I expect we’ll hear from many of the other auction companies before too long.
The cancellation comes as little surprise to anyone paying attention, as California Governor Gavin Newsom stated a couple of weeks ago that a gathering the size that Monterey Car Week entails just won’t be in the cards.
Still, it doesn’t make it any easier to digest — just another event lost to 2020 might be the healthiest thought I’ve had about it.
Now, that doesn’t mean the end of car sales during August. RM Sotheby’s announced Monday that their Online Only division will host a sale opening August 6, with lots closing from August 13 through 15. Online Only: SHIFT/Monterey is expected to present 150 collector cars. I expect we’ll see quality and star power heretofore unseen in an online auction. Stay tuned for further details.
For those needing a quick concours fix, check out Andy Reid’s latest project, Isolation Island Concours d’Elegance. Loads of concours bigwigs and judges are involved, including Publisher Martin.
Next month, RM Sotheby’s and Barrett-Jackson are starting up online sales. RM Sotheby’s Online Only: Driving into Summer sale starts on May 21, with consignments invited through May 14. Barrett-Jackson’s Online Only May 2020 auction starts May 8 and runs through the 17. Be sure to check out their respective websites for bidder registration and any questions you might have about their online bidding process and more.
I don’t think anyone was prepared for so many 2020 event cancellations, let alone the cost of life this disease is causing. This crisis has punched everyone in the mouth, some much harder and worse than others, but it’s the getting up and safely carrying on that matters more than anything.
Stay safe and keeping washing your hands.