The Sixties were a wild time. Not only did we have the war in Viet Nam,
but in 1966 we also had a war going on in Los Angeles up on Sunset Strip. Due
to the huge crowds attending the small clubs, the neighbors complained of all
the noise and the LA Count Sheriff was called in. Over 1000 has come to protest
one night, and the Strip came to a head. Singing songs, and carrying signs,
mostly say “hooray for our side.” Words to a song, but describing one night in
LA. And you can guess the rest, or you can listen to the trademark song of
Buffalo Springfield, For What It’s Worth. “Something’s happening here, what it
is ain’t exactly clear...” a song that for many years I myself, and not alone,
thought was about the Viet Nam War, only to find out how wrong I was. And a
song that almost wasn’t ever recorded, let alone released. When the Buffalo
Springfield played for Atlantic Record executives, they were impressed, and
asked, do you have any other songs? To which Stephen Stills responded, “I have
this other song, if you want it, for what it’s worth...” and after hearing it,
they loved the song, but it needed a new title, somehow “Stop Children What’s
That Sound,” wasn’t the title of a classic, but still incorporated in the
classics. So For What It’s Worth was born, a classic recorded, and Sunset
Strip, well let’s just say the 10 o’clock curfew changed, pyschadelics, stayed a
little longer, and many of the clubs still survive 50 years later. After all,
LA will always be LA.
I have become interested in collector car auctions this year, and with the
Mecum Auctions televised, have been getting a quick, and rather thorough
education. Some prices seem so high, some so low, and for cars you wouldn’t
expect to bring such money. You can buy great 1995 Corvettes for under $15,000,
yet VW buses can go for over $100,000. Go figure. Cars you wouldn’t ride in
when a kid, are now bringing 6 figures. I can remember when small numbers built
was because no one wanted one, like 1970-71 Hemi Challengers and Cudas, now they
are worth $250,000 based on their rarity. It seems our memories may be the
first to go, but our desire to have one maintains its youthful lust until we can
afford one, or at least almost. The cars that were priced out of reach when
younger, new cars in the $3-4000 range, now bring 20 times that, and are
purchased at auctions. So pristine and expensive they are never driven due to
the price, to me missing the point of lighting up the tires, doing burnouts, and
racing up deserted farm roads out in the country. We lusted after them to race,
now we sit and still dream about them, just while holding title in our garages.
To many the buy in price may seem high, but when putting a price on a memory,
the car is purchased for what it’s worth. With the tag line, “I have one and
you don’t. Because I can afford it.” Stop children, that sound is the sound of
money....and tat something that is happening here is still unclear. Maybe it
takes the weirdness of Neil Young to explain, who was driving hearses back then
as his personal ride. And seeing a hearse on sunset Strip with Canadian plates
meant “Neil Young’s in town.” Wonder what his celebrity owned hearse would draw
today at auction?
Now to bid at auction you must first pay a bidder’s fee, and prove you can
pay for what you have bid, usually a deposit against a credit card, or letter of
credit from a bank. Then you can bid away, and watch as the excitement can take
over, and your limit can be easily exceeded by your desire. Bidder wars go on,
and often it is the deepest pocket who wins, encouraged by the lust of “I must
have it at any price.” And so we see memories and youthful desires reaching all
time high prices, putting the dream rides of yesteryear memories out of sight
for the common man. Who might have wanted to drive his dream, but now it will
be consigned to a garage, where no one will touch it, let alone drive it. Years
ago when I was in sales, I dealt with Alan at The Fine Car Store. He dealt with
high end, high priced cars, and often a car would sell, only to never leave his
floor, put up for sale by the new owner, at a higher price. Over and over
again. CArs taking on investment status, and add the name McQueen to it, and
the prices really soar. So, what is it really worth?
Like anything else, it is worth what you will pay for it. What is too much
for me, may be a bargain to others. That extra thousand bid on a car may put me
out long ago, but to a rich buyer, he just waits to see who is left, after the
rest of us bow out. And claims his prize, and a new value has been
established. And so it goes, and so it has, and so it will. Bidding for items
is nothing new. Gambling for lots is not a new idea or practice. Years ago
when Jesus was crucified, the soldiers drew lots, or bid for his clothes. I
cannot say if it was a common practice for any other condemned man, but why
would they want his clothes? Were they planning on wearing them? Or was this
just an early version of investment, maybe trying to resell them later and make
money. “Lot # 10a, robe of condemned criminal Jesus Christ. Certified to have
been worn by him on the cross. Let’s start the bidding...” And sadly too many
missed the real value at the cross, not of the clothes, but of who wore them.
Did they go up in value after his resurrection? Were his disciples able to
verify if they were rally his? He didn’t have a custom tailor. Or did they go
down in value, did a fear creep over those who bid, and the one who won. They
never expected him to return. But we do....and we know that he is worthy. And
for what it’s worth, he is looking for others to save and take to heaven with
him. Even those who bid on his only possessions, those he wore to the
cross.
There is no way to put a price on salvation, yet many do. You cannot buy
your way into heaven. You cannot win a bidding war against sin, only Jesus had
enough for the winning bid, his life. And no matter how rich, or how poor, all
need Jesus to get to heaven. God is no respecter of person, titles mean little,
letters of credit mean nothing. Only the entry of your name in his Book of Life
will gain you entry. And those in it, from the thief on the cross to Paul the
Apostle, to Peter who denied him to a little girl, to the little girl in Sunday
school, it takes Jesus. It may be said of salvation that something’s happening
here, what it is ain’t exactly clear. When really it will be a field day for
the king, a thousand people in the street. A heavenly street, where all will
give glory to God, no curfews and no riot gear needed. A peaceful celebration,
that all are invited too. The bid needed, just you. Just a desire for heaven
through Jesus. And when you do, the hammer drops, the sale is complete, and you
belong to God. You are worth what he paid, and no ne can outbid Jesus. They
can make gestures, make promises, but only in Jesus will you see salvation. And
even now we can say “Hooray for our side.”
Just as a side note, Richie Furay is a Cavalry Chapel pastor today. An
original member of Buffalo Springfield, and founder of Poco, he saw what it
took, and it wasn’t drugs, women, fame, or music. It takes Jesus. So add Rock
and Roll Hall of Fame member to the Book of Life list. The auction isn’t over
yet for souls, only Jesus has the winning bid. “Lot #2356, a poor white guy in
prison, lot #6953, a pastor. Lot # 554, a homeless man.” And your number,
Jesus has it too. No reserve, the high bid wins your soul. Two tickets to
paradise, even Eddie’s money is no good there. Turn to Jesus today, where
everybody wins. And for once, find real value in for what he’s worth.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com