Prepare to be amazed at the 25th Raleigh Classic Car Auction

Imagine two large warehouses at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds, full of brilliantly cared for automotive works of art and you have the Raleigh Classic. The auction has become a twice-a-year annual event for car collectors and enthusiasts alike and it is easy to see why.

Here are three things you need to know before you go:

All it takes to register as a bidder is to pay a $100 registration fee, and there is a preview for bidders on June 22.

This is when you will be amazed, charmed and wholly captivated by the cars you see before you.

Then the real action kicks-off Friday morning, June 23, and continues Saturday until the last car is driven across the block.

The Raleigh Classic Car Auction, happening twice is a year, is a longstanding part of the Triangle car scene and in fact, this June’s event marks its 25th auction.

To celebrate, the Raleigh Classic is giving pre-registered bidders the chance to win $2,500. You must be registered by June 2 to be entered, and be present at the time of drawing to win.

While the Raleigh Classic is an auction whose purpose is to sell classic vehicles to collectors and enthusiasts, observers are welcomed and encouraged to attend.

On either day, you will be witness to an amazing collection of '60s muscle cars, vintage trucks and cars from the 1920s, '30s and '40s, as well as the age of the tail fin when cars were practically bathed in chrome and appeared to be ready to takeoff for Mars.

American classics aren't all that's in store either as there is usually an interesting assortment of British, German and other foreign car makes represented from Datsun 240Zs to older examples of Bentleys and Rolls-Royces.

Attending the auction as an observer allows you to experience the sound and feel of the event without writing a big check like one of the hundreds of bidders who attend and purchase their dream car, a car for a client or maybe an investment for themselves in classic sheet metal.

"Since I've been the auctioneer, we've seen great growth for both our spring and winter classics," said Brent Earlywine, a veteran licensed auctioneer at the Raleigh Classic. "It's been an honor to sell each one of these beautiful vehicles and to help support North Carolina's classic car community."

If you are new to bidding on classic cars, Michael Marshburn of the Raleigh Classic Car Auction has some tips.

"The Raleigh Classic specializes in low mileage, originals," Marshburn explained. "We don't tend to feature modified vehicles like some auctions do. This helps us bring in buyers from all over the United States and overseas who are interested in original, low mileage vehicles, which are truly special."

He added, "The auction is held in a climate controlled environment too, which is not the case at some other auctions, this is good not just for the attendees but the cars too."

Everything you ever wanted to know about the Raleigh Classic Car Auction can be found at www.raleighclassic.com.