Vicari Car Auction to Start Thursday at the Coliseum

The Vicari Car Auction is amongst some of the most popular Cruisin’ the Coast events. One ’68 Camaro didn’t always look so good.

When Eric Nicotri and his family first bought it last October, it was just a shell. One year later, it’s up for sale. Nicotri says, “We just finished it about a week ago and we’re bringing it to Vicari for the auction.”

The Nicotris made fixing up the car a family affair. They did everything from sanding, to painting, to polishing themselves. Kelly Nicotri says being able to work on the car together as a family was really something special. She says, “It was great. It was a great feeling knowing that they would help us a lot. They were there for us.”

The Nicotris put the finishing touches on the Camaro Wednesday morning and it will sit in the Coliseum until it’s auctioned off Thursday. Eric says they chose the Vicari auction because it is one of the biggest car auctions in the southeast and they always leave home in New Orleans for Cruisin’. Eric also says, “There’s a lot of cars, a lot of buyers. It’s the fastest, easiest way to sell your car. You don’t have to wait around for a buyer. They’re here.”

This will be the 18th year for the Vicari Car Auction during Cruisin’ the Coast. Pete Vicari, the owner of the Vicari Car Auction, tells News 25 last year’s auction shattered records and he’s expecting an even bigger turnout this year. Vicari says, “All indications is this year will surpass last year’s because of the types of cars we have, the people that are calling us about the cars.”

Two cars Vicari is very excited about are two Superbirds, one hemming and one full ‘46 back in a rare blue color. This year, about 500 cars are expected to roll in for all types of buyers. As for the Nicotris, they’re hoping to sell their antique beauty for at least $85,000. The auction starts at 11 a.m. Thursday and runs through Saturday.