By George Varga / The San Diego Union-Tribune
If you’ve ever wanted to own one of Neil Young’s vintage guitars, classic cars, highly collectible model trains, or some of the rock legend’s other personal items, now is your chance.
Young announced Thursday that he’ll be auctioning off more than 230 of his prized belongings. The auction will take place Dec. 9 at Julien’s Auctions in Los Angeles, online and by phone.
Proceeds will benefit the Bridge School, the nonprofit Bay Area facility for children with disabilities that Young has helped support for more than 30 years. His son, Ben, has cerebral palsy.
Items to be auctioned off next month include a significant portion of the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer’s “personal collection of model trains, classic cars, guitars, recording gear, clothing, memorabilia, and more.”
Explaining his decision to part with so many of his belongings, Young, 71, said in a statement: “Collecting all of these items have been my great joy. They have provided a source of inspiration, fun and creativity throughout my life. Now it is time to share them with others in the world whom I hope will enjoy and love them as much as I have.”
One of Young’s prized possessions that will be on the auction block is his first-in-production 1953 Buick Roadmaster Skylark convertible 50th anniversary special edition, which has a pre-auction estimate of $200,000 to $300,000. Its steering wheel hub reads: “customized for Neil Young.”
Other items that will be up for bidding include his 1965 Gibson ES-345 electric guitar; his Lionel Hudson factory prototype model locomotive; a 1957 Gretsch Country Club 6182 model guitar; a 1954 Cadillac Fleetwood Imperial 8-passenger limousine; four Marshall Full Stack Amplifiers; an array of Young’s stage attire; and the1948 Buick Roadmaster hearse he and his early band, The Squires, used to drive to gigs. The hearse inspired Young’s classic song, “Long May You Run.”
Want to bid?
Registration is required to bid in this live auction. Registration can be done in person at the exhibition and auction, or online before the sale at the JuliensAuctions.com registration page for those wishing to bid by phone, proxy or in person. Those wishing to bid online should register at JuliensLive.com/signup/ or call: 310-836-1818.
There are four ways to bid:
Through Julien’s Auctions online live in real time at JuliensLive.com.
By phone through an auction house representative.
In person at the Julien’s Auctions Los Angeles Gallery.
Using absentee bids. Absentee bid forms are printed in the back of each catalog, and are also available by calling Julien’s Auctions or online at juliensauctions.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
