THE RON PRATTE COLLECTION: A MONUMENTAL MOVE

December 31, 2014
Posted by Barrett-Jackson

The Ron Pratte Collection prior to the move.

With the greatest of care and a considerable amount of precise planning, more than 140 remarkable collector vehicles and 1,500 pieces of automobilia from the Ron Pratte Collection were carefully packed up and relocated this week. Thanks to the expertise of Reliable Carriers, the Collection—which had been beautifully housed in a two-story hangar in Chandler, Ariz., for many years, seen only by a select few—made its way about 25 miles north to WestWorld of Scottsdale, where it will be crossing the block at the 44th Annual Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction from January 10 – 18, 2015. Media helicopters buzzed overhead to capture the spectacle as the “superstars” of the collection—including the 1950 General Motors Futurliner Parade of Progress Tour Bus, the 1954 Pontiac Bonneville Special Motorama Concept Car, the 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake and the 2007 Blastolene B-702 Custom Roadster—received a police escort as they paraded their way to their temporary new home. If you missed this incredible “Parade of Pratte,” you can still get up-close and personal looks at all the vehicles on display at the auction site!

Like thoroughbreds anxiously awaiting the start of a great race, the Pratte vehicles are ready to be loaded.

Ron Pratte’s automobilia collection, ready for packing.

Loading the vehicles onto the transporters takes enormous concentration and care.

And they’re off!

The famous 1950 General Motors Futurliner Parade of Progress Tour Bus catches a lift on a lowboy.

At 20 feet long, the Blastolene was quite a sight to see rolling down the road!

Handle with care! The Cobra to end all Cobras: Carroll Shelby’s 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 “Super Snake” –the only remaining one of two ever built.

A patriotic parade salute from Reliable.

The Parade of Pratte arrives at its destination: WestWorld of Scottsdale, home to the 44th Annual Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction.

Officers from the Scottsdale Police Department pose with the Futurliner after their escort duty was complete.

This monumental move would never have happened without this fantastic fleet of trucks!