Bidders Pick Over the Remains of the Boston Grand Prix

photo via Paul E. Saperstein Co. Auctioneers & Appraisers

Update, 2:33 p.m.: The auction of the bankrupt Grand Prix of Boston’s assets on Wednesday brought in $35,125, says Michael Saperstein, executive vice president of Paul E. Saperstein Co. Auctioneers and Appraisers. The IndyCar shells sold for $10,500 and $7,000 (that’s far short of the $50,000 value that the Grand Prix estimated for a pair of cars in its possession earlier this year). A pair of trailers brought in $4,750 each. Of the 1101 concrete barriers that were for sale, 325 sold for $25 apiece for a total of $8,125 (Saperstein says the auctioneer has heard from others interested in buying the rest). Reminder if you want to see any of that money coming your way in a refund check: Give Maura Healey a call.

Previously: Collectors and race track owners are picking over the remains of Boston’s Grand Prix today as two IndyCar exteriors and tons upon tons of concrete barriers go up for auction.

The sales are the latest attempt to recover the costs of prepping for the event, which was supposed to bring race cars to the Seaport over Labor Day Weekend. But the bid to bring the race to the city fizzled, and thousands of people who bought tickets in advance are still waiting for refunds.

The Paul E. Saperstein Co. Auctioneers and Appraisers are showing the items beginning at noon.

Michael Saperstein, executive vice president of the company, says he doesn’t want to estimate how much the items will bring in. But, he says, bidders in town for the sale include “some very well known national syndicated racing companies who own multiple tracks who are showing interest in both the cars and barriers.”

The cars are just empty, engine-free carbon fiber shells previously used for promotional purposes during the run-up to the ill-fated race. They aren’t meant to be converted into drive-able vehicles and would likely be showpieces for a collector or business.

The 2,000 barricades, which are currently stacked on Massport property (much to the agency’s chagrin), would require significant effort and investment to move and will likely catch the eye only of those hoping to use them for their intended purpose: keeping high-speed cars on a twisty track.