Bosch has announced that the grand prize winner of “The Gut Check Challenge” – Mike Collins of Jourdanton, Texas – selected a classic 4x4 at the Mecum Auto Auction in Monterey, Calif.
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Collins won his bid on a restored 1977 International Scout 4x4 and, per the rules of the competition, Bosch contributed $25K toward the purchase. “The Gut Check Challenge” was an online contest sponsored by Bosch Spark Plugs and held from June 6 to July 18 on the social media site, Facebook.
Collins topped a list of thousands of auto enthusiasts, technicians and do-it-yourself (DIY) motorists from across the United States that participated in the contest. The ‘Challenge’ was designed to test a contestant’s automotive know-how and spark plug smarts through multiple-choice questions followed by a final round of three write-in questions.
A professional diesel mechanic who enjoys working on cars in his spare time, Collins and his teenage son, Chris, also a car enthusiast, attended the prestigious Mecum Auto Auction in Monterey, CA (Aug. 16-18, 2012), courtesy of Bosch. There, Wayne Carini, host of Velocity TV Network's Chasing Classic Cars advised him to “go with his gut” and bid on his ‘dream car.’ Per the terms of the contest’s agreement, if Collins won the bid, Bosch would contribute up to $25,000 toward the purchase.
And he did.
His success was covered live in a television broadcast by Velocity TV Network. It aired Collins’ entire experience from when he placed his bid at the auction to his ultimately winning his ‘dream car.’ Immediately following the live show, the network re-aired it for its viewers. The Monterey Mecum auction will re-air on Velocity TV Network on the following dates and times:
Fri - 08/31/2012 11:00A - 2:00P Monterey Pt. 1
Sat - 09/01/2012 5:00P - 8:00P Monterey Pt. 2
Mon - 09/03/2012 11:00A - 2:00P Monterey Pt. 2
Tue - 09/04/2012 11:00A - 2:00P Monterey Pt. 3
Wed - 09/05/2012 11:00A - 2:00P Monterey Pt. 4
Fri - 09/07/2012 11:00A - 2:00P Monterey Pt. 6
Sat - 09/15/2012 5:00P - 8:00P Monterey Pt. 3
Sat - 09/22/2012 5:00P - 8:00P Monterey Pt. 4
Wed - 10/03/2012 11:00A - 2:00P Monterey Pt. 1
Th - 10/04/2012 11:00A - 2:00P Monterey Pt. 2
Fri - 10/05/2012 11:00A - 2:00P Monterey Pt. 3
Sat - 10/06/2012 5:00P - 8:00P Monterey Pt. 6
Mon - 10/08/2012 11:00A - 2:00P Monterey Pt. 4
Tue - 10/09/2012 11:00A - 2:00P Monterey Pt. 5
Wed - 10/10/2012 11:00A - 2:00P Monterey Pt. 6
Besides broadcast coverage, Collins was accorded significant honor when Mecum Auctions gave him Gold Bidder status that entitled him to a front row seat during the bidding.
The International Harvester Scout was one of the first production 4x4 vehicles. Originally built as a competitor to the Jeep, the Scout was manufactured in very limited numbers between 1961 and 1980 in the United States. It is the precursor of today’s wildly popular array of SUV designs.
“‘The Gut Check Challenge’ has been a tremendous opportunity for Bosch to connect with its community of ‘friends’ and ‘followers’ on Facebook,” said Monica Christensen, Bosch Brand Manager. “‘The Gut Check Challenge’ competition played off of our current advertising campaign theme, ‘The Gut Knows’ quality automotive parts … like Bosch spark plugs,” she said.
The Mecum Auction Company specializes in the sale of collector cars, classic motorcycles and road art sales. Numerous Mecum auctions are held each year throughout the United States and broadcast live on Discovery’s Velocity Network. www.mecum.com.
“Once again the Mecum Daytime Auction on the Monterey Peninsula has been a resounding success with more than 700 cars crossing the auction block,” said Dana Mecum, President, Mecum Auctions. “Thousands of bidders and spectators turned out for the event. We are confident that our 2012 showing has been the best yet with a sell-through rate of 63 percent with $31 million in sales.”
Collins could have chosen any of the popular muscle cars, sports cars, or hot rods that crossed the auction block in Monterey. But, in fact, Collins has always had a passion for the last-generation Scout 4x4.
On winning the bid on his ‘dream car,’ Collins said, “This is a dream come true for me. Never could I have imagined that one day I would actually own a 1977 International Scout 4x4. Wayne asked me to ‘go with my gut’ and I did and won. Even better, who knew I would get the opportunity to experience the Mecum Auto Auction with my son? I am so grateful!” Reliable Carriers will be transporting the car to his Texas home.
For more information, visit www.gutknows.com.
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