'57 Chevy pickup wins Barrett-Jackson Cup

As the Silver State celebrates its 150th year, a vehicle nicknamed "QuickSilver" won the 2014 Barrett-Jackson Cup.

In front of an enthusiastic crowd at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center and a live national television audience on the National Geographic Channel, Alan Beers' 1957 Chevy pickup was announced as the grand prize winner of the second annual Barrett-Jackson Cup, the nation's richest show-n-shine.

"It's a dream come true," said Beers, of Owasso, Okla. "I never could have imagined I'd be standing here getting the Barrett-Jackson Cup. It's the highest award there is now in the custom car business."

Beers bought the truck in 2007 in Texas. More accurately, he purchased a frame, cab and truck bed painted primer gray. Builder Jason Smith and the crew at Hot Rod Garage in Sand Springs, Okla., spent the better part of 5 years transforming it into an automotive work of art.

Still, he said, it was built to be driven. Underneath the custom exterior is a 650-horsepower 540 Chevy big-block V-8 motor.

"It drives just like a Corvette," he said. "Once we're done showing it, it's built to drive."

QuickSilver (so named because of its color) was a top eight finalist for the Ridler Award at the Detroit Autorama earlier this year and has garnered several industry awards.

For winning the Barrett-Jackson Cup, Beers collected $30,000 in cash; a new General Motors Crate engine and transmission valued at $15,000; and other prizes totaling more than $12,000.

Hot August Nights Executive Director Tony Marini said Reno's downtown hotels increased their financial commitment to the Barrett-Jackson Cup and dedicated the covered area between the Eldorado Hotel Casino and Silver Legacy Resort Casino to showcase the Cup cars in daily show-n-shines.

"It says a lot that they are always willing to step up and help us create the richest show-n-shine award in the world," Marini said. "The proof is in the pudding that it was a success. Downtown Reno was packed this year."

The second-place car was a 1932 Ford four-door sedan owned by Don Smith of Mansfield, Texas and built by Jeff Kinsey at Hot Rods by JSK. Smith collected an $18,000 cash and a prize package. Third place went to Wes Rydell, with his 1935 Black Bowtie Chevrolet Phaeton and fourth place went to J.F. Launier of Osoyoos, British Columbia with his 1964 Buick Riviera.

The announcement came at the conclusion of the three-day Hot August Night Auction presented by Barrett-Jackson inside the Reno-Sparks and was part of an hour-long feature on the Barrett-Jackson Cup and Hot August Nights aired live on the National Geographic Channel.

"It gave us an opportunity to highlight the cars, promote the Cup and talk about Reno and Hot August Nights," said Barrett-Jackson president Steve Davis.

Barrett-Jackson Cup

Grand prize

1957 Chevrolet Pickup; Owner: Alan Beers; Builder: Hot Rod Garage – Jason Smith

1st Runner Up: 1932 Ford 4 Door; Owner: Don Smith; Builder: Hot Rods by JSK – Jeff Kinsey

2nd Runner Up: 1935 Chevy Phaeton; Owner: Wes Rydell; Builder: Rad Rods by Troy

3rd Runner Up: 1964 Buick Riviera; Owner: J. F. Launier; Builder: J.F. Launier

4th Runner Up: 1967 Chevrolet Nova; Owner: Steve Turnari; Builder: Jeremy Miranda