Say what you will about the Barrett-Jackson circus but it's still the Big Mamma of all collector car auctions and the one not to be missed. 1271 cars were sold on no reserve, 187 more than last year, pushing total sales to $109 million. However an extra day's bidding was added and the average price per vehicle was $87,001, down from $92,301 in 2006. Still, you don't have to be a buyer or seller to have fun here; just wandering down the seemingly endless rows of vehicles waiting to be auctioned is great entertainment for the very reasonable admission price. Needless to say, with that many cars on view the variety is astounding.

Which is why, though the high bid went to an 800 hp one-of-a-kind 1966 Shelby Cobra Super Snake at $5.5 million, I fell for this humble but lovely 1951 VW Beetle. The car is a split-window 2-door sedan, one of only 391 sold in the US during that year. It has the rare sunroof option, semaphore turn signals, gas heater, early Porsche fully-synchro transmission, rear luggage rack, under-dash shelf, bud vase, and fender skirts. $56,100 was what the seller took home, less commission. I think I paid $4200 for my first VW, brand new, back in 1960.