For the first time, the Phoenix Automotive Press Association is able to open its annual Arizona classic car auction week preview event to the public. The event begins at 7 p.m., Wednesday, January 18, in Singer Hall (on the ground floor of the the administration building) at the Phoenix Art Museum. Each auction house is invited to make a presentation about its event and a panel of experts presents its insights and perspectives on the auctions and classic car collecting. There will be an open question-and-answer period, followed by a dessert buffet sponsored by www.classiccars.com. Each ticket holder receives a goodie bag and is included in a drawing for various door prizes. A portion of each ticket sale benefits the automobile restoration education program at McPherson College.

The  expert panelists this year are

• Keith Martin, editor and publisher of Sports Car Market, a magazine that has followed the classic car hobby for two decades;
• Ken Gross, former director of the Petersen Museum, selection committee member and judge at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and a veteran automotive journalist and car collector;
• McKeel Hagerty, chief executive officer of Hagerty Insurance – world’s largest insurer of classic vehicles -- publisher of Hagerty Magazine, and founder of the Historic Vehicle Association.

For additional information, call Larry Edsall at (602) 300-4518.