The inaugural event, which is scheduled to take over historic Nocona, Texas April 19-20, will feature 200 classic cars up for bid during the Vicari Classic & Muscle Car Auction, as well as a Classic Cruisin' Poker Run through the North Texas Hill Country. That’s right, the ‘North Texas Hill Country’, as opposed to the terrain we’re more familiar with around the Austin and San Antonio area.
"Classic car enthusiasts are invited to attend our auction and cruise the beautiful byways of the North Texas Hill Country, curving through the region's picturesque wine country during Texas' Bluebonnet season and enjoying two days of food, fun, and cars," said Pete Vicari, President of Vicari Auction Company. "Nocona is the ideal town for a classic car event not only because of its many historic attractions, but also because of the Horton Motors Collection, which includes three themed classic car museums for classic car lovers to enjoy with all there is to offer, we believe Nocona will soon be the Classic Car Capital of Texas."
Cruisin' Nocona is a collaboration between good buddies Pete Vicari (of Vicari Auction Company) and Pete Horton (the Horton Classic Car Museum), plus the Nocona Chamber of Commerce. It’s designed as a family-friendly event to showcase the renaissance and beauty of the region around the historical town of Nocona. The community is well known for its leather products, including Nocona boots and baseball gloves. Under the guidance and support of Horton the quaint hamlet has recently undergone an extensive downtown revitalization and now is home to the Horton Classic Car Museum. With more than 120 cars on display the facility is the largest open-to-the-public collection in Texas.
Located within an easy 1-2 hour drive from the DFW Metroplex (up Hwy 287 to Bowie or IH 35 to Gainesville) Nocona is situated along the historic Chisholm Trail, a notorious route used by the rugged ranchers of the late 19th century to drive their cattle from Texas to Kansas.
Named for Comanche Chief Peta Nocona (father of famed Indian chief Quanah Parker), the town boasts a rich cultural heritage that dates back to the Old West, with its railroads, cattlemen and cowboys. Historically significant, many of the buildings housing restored saloons, steakhouses and dance halls in Nocona’s energetic central arts and business district date back to 1889.
The auction preview and classic car cruise will run throughout the day Friday, April 19, with numerous vendors, food, exhibits and live entertainment. During the event, attendees can participate in a Classic Cruisin’ Poker Run, collecting cards along five scheduled stops during the run. The winning poker hand will receive a $1,000 prize.
The evening of Friday, April 19th, the Nocona Classic Car Auction and Cruise will officially begin with an opening ceremony hosted by Nocona Mayor Robert Fenoglio to kick off a parade of classic cars, which will wind through town and be displayed in Nocona’s downtown district.
On Saturday, April 20th, a pancake breakfast at 9 a.m. will be followed by the Vicari Classic & Muscle Car Auction, which will begin at 10 a.m. That evening, there will be a variety of entertainment acts for the public to enjoy.
Cars featured for the auction include a rare 1965 Amphicar; the same amphibian type vehicle that LBJ used on his ranch to frighten unassuming visiting dignitaries; diving into the Pedernales River upon completion of a ranch tour. Also on the block is a rare 1954 Buick Skylark convertible. A ‘Miami Vice’ 1973 Ferrari Daytona Replicar, and several custom street rods. Novelty vehicles include a golf cart replica of a 1957 T-Bird.
The 2013 Nocona Classic Car Auction and Cruise Early Bird pre-registration run through March 1st and costs $50, which includes a Cruisin’ Nocona T-shirt and tote bag. Onsite registration is $65. The auction office will open daily at 8 a.m. For more information, visit www.vicariauction.com or call 504.875.3563.
About Vicari Auction
The Vicari Auction Company hosts fast-paced, high energy auctions along the Gulf Coast, offering an entertaining destination to car collectors, enthusiasts and travelers. Pete Vicari, a lifelong enthusiast who purchased his first car – a 1940 Ford – at the age of 12, turned his passion into a successful business with the launch of Vicari Auction in November 1995. The company prides itself on personal service, providing cars for everyone from the avid collector to the first-time buyer. For more information, contact Vicari Auction at 1900 Destrehan Ave., Harvey, LA 70058; call 504.875.3563; or visit www.vicariauction.com.
About the Pete Horton Collection
The Pete Horton Collection includes an impressive selection of Corvettes, American muscle cars and late-model exotics. Housed in three separate buildings, two of the structures once severed as the old Ford and Chevrolet dealerships. The third building, the Katmandu Building, has recently been restored to give the feeling of New Orleans, another place the Hortons have called home. This building houses the collection’s later-model muscle cars. All of three museums are open to the public during special city events or By Appointment Only. Call Peba Oil & Gas Company to book your tour: (940) 825-4825
For more information, visit:
Nocona Economic Development Corporation: www.nocona.org
Nocona Chamber of Commerce: www.noconachamber.org
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