Ah, it's such fun when the class of the classics go head-to-head in Arizona's auction week. Hot on the heels of RM's announcement of an all-British sale the night before the big one comes Gooding's own headliner, a Friday evening show opener on Jan. 23, 2010. Though not limited to the products of one particular country it promises a good time if the pre-auction breakfast served up by Gooding when I was there in 2008 is any example. The only problem facing bidders and media types is "how can I be in two places at once?" RM's event is at the Biltmore in Phoenix whereas the Gooding auction takes place in Scottsdale at East Camelback Road and N. 68th, adjacent to the Scottsdale Fashion Square. It's a 1/2-hour drive from one to the other but I'd hate to be on the road that long, then fighting for a parking space. While all the cars being offered by Gooding are quite stunning I'd be drawn to this graceful 1950 Oldsmobile Futuramic 88 Convertible Coupe, if only because "Futuramic" reminds me of a time when there was so much hope for the future.