CarAlity… A Tribute In New Orleans
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$5,000,000 Just To Bid On A Hitler Car?
Sounds Like A Steal To Me.
Synopsis
Antoine "Andy" Guidry is a down on his luck cable TV producer living well beyond his means in San Diego, CA.
He had risen through the ranks of camera op, field producer, and senior producer until he finally jumped ship and developed his own show… burning more than a few bridges on the journey. When his show was abruptly cancelled, it left him with little more than maxed out credit cards, severely overdue bills, and an increasingly virulent marijuana habit.
Unsuccessful at trying to drum up work from former "once bitten-twice shy" associates, he is forced to sell his most treasured possession, a 1968 Porsche 911T Targa. Needing the money as soon as possible, he selects the next classic car auction he can find, A-Bears Classic Car Auction in New Orleans, LA. Being a Louisiana native, it feels like he's returning home and starting all over again. At his age, that's not a good thing.
Through an unforeseen twist of fate, he finds he is now the only TV producer on the planet with access to the coup of the auto auction universe. A previously undiscovered Mercedes-Benz 770K Grosser Tourenwagen, purportedly used by Adolf Hitler, is also being sold in the same auction as Andy's cherished 911, and with about as much advance publicity.
Unfortunately, the consigner not only has no interest in television coverage, he's actually banned it. He claims it’s due to the nature of the provenance, which may be as, or even more valuable than the car itself.
If he can find a loophole that will let him actually cover the auction, this could put him back in the game. He just needs to develop a concept, pitch it, get some front money, field a crew, sneak 'em in, and cover the classic car auction event of the century. Sure, it sounds a bit daunting. But he does, after all, have three whole days to pull it off.
He had risen through the ranks of camera op, field producer, and senior producer until he finally jumped ship and developed his own show… burning more than a few bridges on the journey. When his show was abruptly cancelled, it left him with little more than maxed out credit cards, severely overdue bills, and an increasingly virulent marijuana habit.
Unsuccessful at trying to drum up work from former "once bitten-twice shy" associates, he is forced to sell his most treasured possession, a 1968 Porsche 911T Targa. Needing the money as soon as possible, he selects the next classic car auction he can find, A-Bears Classic Car Auction in New Orleans, LA. Being a Louisiana native, it feels like he's returning home and starting all over again. At his age, that's not a good thing.
Through an unforeseen twist of fate, he finds he is now the only TV producer on the planet with access to the coup of the auto auction universe. A previously undiscovered Mercedes-Benz 770K Grosser Tourenwagen, purportedly used by Adolf Hitler, is also being sold in the same auction as Andy's cherished 911, and with about as much advance publicity.
Unfortunately, the consigner not only has no interest in television coverage, he's actually banned it. He claims it’s due to the nature of the provenance, which may be as, or even more valuable than the car itself.
If he can find a loophole that will let him actually cover the auction, this could put him back in the game. He just needs to develop a concept, pitch it, get some front money, field a crew, sneak 'em in, and cover the classic car auction event of the century. Sure, it sounds a bit daunting. But he does, after all, have three whole days to pull it off.
"I'm the Consignment Director for Mecum Auctions, the world’s largest collector car auction company. I'm also a TV Commentator and On-Air Analyst for the NBCSN coverage of our auctions.
In the summer of 2016, I was invited to preview a novel set in the collector car auction world. Being an avid reader, and intrigued by the subject matter, I readily agreed. Within days I received an unassuming, plain black 3-ring binder. It contained 368 pages with an interesting title: CarAlity… A Tribute In New Orleans.
Throughout the summer, I was literally sad when the corporate jet would land at the latest auction site, and I had to put CarAlity away until the event was over.
Dan has a real gem of a book here. It will not only have a strong appeal to us experienced auction folks, but to anyone who appreciates a great story; superbly crafted and exceptionally well written."
John Kraman
Mecum Auctions
Walworth, WI
About The Author
J. Daniel Jones spent 8 years as a producer/director/host at a small TV station in San Diego, CA. During that time he received 7 EMMY nominations and 3 EMMY awards.
He spent the following eight years as a writer/producer in the corporate world working on big budget videos for hi-tech clients such as Intel, Siemens, and Motorola.
Finally he was able to combine his television experience with his long-term love of classic cars and began working exclusively on automotive programs that aired on ESPN2 and The Outdoor Channel.
One highlight of his automotive television experience was when he got the opportunity to shoot and field produce over 90% of the 2005 season of Hot Rod Magazine TV, including two major cross country events, the “Hot Rod Power Tour” and the 1st ever “Drag Week.”
He also successfully managed to avoid Montezuma revenge while shooting and field producing the “Carrerra La Panamericana” classic car race in Mexico. This made him quite a bit luckier than some of the drivers.
Jones was exposed to the classic car auction world while working as a episode producer and editing supervisor for the first season of At The Auction, which showcased RM Auctions, now RM/Sotheby’s, one of the world’s premier auto auction houses.
His first car was a ’64 Barracuda, followed by a ’67 Comet Calienté and a ’62 VW Bug, all before he graduated High School. He has a deep passion for old cars and currently owns a ’64 Cutlass and ’79 MGB. He has always lusted for a ‘68 911 Targa, and likely always will.
J. Daniel Jones lives in San Diego, CA with Cindy, his wife of 29 years, and their youngest son. He is also the proud father of two older children, a son and daughter, who live in Los Angeles, CA and Salem, OR.
He spent the following eight years as a writer/producer in the corporate world working on big budget videos for hi-tech clients such as Intel, Siemens, and Motorola.
Finally he was able to combine his television experience with his long-term love of classic cars and began working exclusively on automotive programs that aired on ESPN2 and The Outdoor Channel.
One highlight of his automotive television experience was when he got the opportunity to shoot and field produce over 90% of the 2005 season of Hot Rod Magazine TV, including two major cross country events, the “Hot Rod Power Tour” and the 1st ever “Drag Week.”
He also successfully managed to avoid Montezuma revenge while shooting and field producing the “Carrerra La Panamericana” classic car race in Mexico. This made him quite a bit luckier than some of the drivers.
Jones was exposed to the classic car auction world while working as a episode producer and editing supervisor for the first season of At The Auction, which showcased RM Auctions, now RM/Sotheby’s, one of the world’s premier auto auction houses.
His first car was a ’64 Barracuda, followed by a ’67 Comet Calienté and a ’62 VW Bug, all before he graduated High School. He has a deep passion for old cars and currently owns a ’64 Cutlass and ’79 MGB. He has always lusted for a ‘68 911 Targa, and likely always will.
J. Daniel Jones lives in San Diego, CA with Cindy, his wife of 29 years, and their youngest son. He is also the proud father of two older children, a son and daughter, who live in Los Angeles, CA and Salem, OR.
"J. Daniel Jones shines in his first novel, CarAlity. From rich character development to his colorful storytelling style, Mr. Jones paints a vivid portrait of the frenetic world of television production. It's sort of a “between-the-scenes” roller-coaster ride, set at a high stakes auto auction in the Big Easy. Filled with plot twists, character reveals, and 'aha' moments, CarAlity had me hooked by chapter 3.
Having spent the past 25 years in the television industry, I found myself immersed in the familiar, yet somewhat surreal world of on-location production. I was delighted by Mr. Jones’s uncanny ability to bring the sights, sounds, and personalities alive."
Mark Sussman
Independent Television Producer
New York, New York
