I knew that Volvo was sharpening up its image, what with the new S60 touting its bad-boy performance creds, but I was still surprised to read the subject line in an email that read:

VOLVO GROUP ENTERS PARTNERSHIP WITH WWF

Just to show how much my brain has deteriorated, all I could think was, "Now why would Volvo get hooked up with the World Wrestling Federation?"  That seemed kind of over the top even for an auto company that was trying to appear more macho.

But opening the email (usually a good idea before jumping to conclusions), I discovered the truth.   Not the World Wrestling Federation (duh, expecially since they've changed their name anyway)   but the World Wide Fund for Nature's Climate Savers Program.  That kinda makes more sense ...

The 32 Deuce coupe that I've been writing about is almost read for paint and reassembly. I visited it last week and I'm heading over again today or tomorrow, depending on how far along the builders are.  The chassis is nearly completed.

I'll be filing a story this week about The Hot Rod Build, so watch for it.

The rain came in earnest this morning to Scottsdale, but there are actually a bunch of people here at Barrett-Jackson.  Downpour in the desert. That just ain't right. 

But the show must go on, and the main tent is dry inside, so stay tuned as the prime-time cars start rolling over the block later today.

Meanwhile, I learned something interesting yesterday.  My 6-foot-6-inch self can actually wedge into a Heinkel mini-car.  Not pretty, though.

Despite the dire predictions of the weatherman, the first day of bidding at Barrett-Jackson is sunny and clear, the kind of Arizona day that makes me glad to live here.  Keep your fingers crossed that it stays this way for the rest of the week.

I'm heading out to WestWorld this afternoon to take a bunch photos, so watch for new Barrett-Jackson galleries that will be going up on SPEEDtv.com.  We'll be shooting plenty of pictures and video all week, so stay tuned.

Here are a couple of links to our latest auction stories:

automotive.speedtv.com/article/autos-cor...

automotive.speedtv.com/article/autos-bla...