ABINGDON, Va. — The estates of two consummate car collectors have converged at A-OK Auction Gallery for a Feb. 16 auction. Auctioneer Alan Shope said rarely has he seen two different estates dovetail so nicely together. Both men whose items are being offered were well-known car enthusiasts and both also had a love for advertising related to the automotive world. Robert “Bobby” Eades of Abington was one of those men. Shope had spoken with Eades over the years about his collection, but Eades had never been ready to part with it. After Eades death in late 2018, Shope learned that the collector had asked his family to have Shope sell his collection. Eades not only had many great vehicles, but he had a general store display in his home. Shope said the other consigner is a man who is downsizing his vehicle and petroliana collection. One of the highlights of the auction is a 1957 blue Chevrolet two-door hardtop. “This one is straight as an arrow,” Shope said. All of the numbers line up on this vehicle which is estimated at $50,000-$75,000. Also of great interest will be a 1970 Dodge Challenger that has been covered up for years. The vehicle had belonged to Eades’ son who died in 2005. At that time Bob Eades had the car covered and stored. “The 1954 Chevy side-step pickup is the most beautiful thing I’ve seen in my life. It is mint,” Shope said. Not to be outdone will be the bright yellow 2002 Dodge Viper with only 12,000 miles on it. While the vehicles will certainly be bringing some of the highest bids at the auction, there will also be hundreds of lots of advertising, most of it related to vehicles or soda. There are seven gravity gas pumps listed in the auction. Shope said one of the signs he loves the most in this auction is a porcelain New Idea Farm Equipment Sales and Service sign. The sign measures 60 by 24 inches. “It is like stepping back in time,” Shope said of the auction. For more information call (276) 676-0009 or look for the A-OK listing on www.liveauctioneers.com. |