A custom-made cigar box guitar autographed by the iconic band the Barenaked Ladies helped raise more than $4,000 for charity at a live auction at DISTINCTION: Celebrating Excellence at the Vancouver International Auto Show. Canadian auto dealer’s editor Todd Phillips built and donated the guitar on behalf of the magazine.
Adesa Vancouver and TradeRev boosted the value by adding a paid trip for two to Las Vegas, Nev. to see the band play on June 22, along with Hootie & the Blowfish and ran the live auction.
The cigar box guitar was just one of a number of items auctioned at the gala that kicked off the auto show, including artwork, special BBQ events, and even the sparkling jacket worn at the event by Blair Qualey, Executive Director of the New Car Dealers Association of BC.
Auction proceeds go to Special Olympics BC and the New Car Dealers Foundation of BC. Since 1984, the New Car Dealers Association of BC has helped raise more than $4.9 million for Special Olympics BC and the New Car Dealers Foundation of BC.
Special Olympic athletes from B.C. were on hand at the event to greet attendees. The winning bidder was Jim Inkster, longtime Dealer Principal of Inland Chrysler in Dawson Creek, B.C., and former Chairman of the New Car Dealers Association of BC.
Inkster is a prominent supporter of the Special Olympics and a frequent bidder at previous auctions. “These folks would never be noticed or recognized should folks not get in to sponsor and support them in some kind of organized activity. This one happens to be athletics, and it’s a good one,” Inkster said of Special Olympics in an article on the NCDA website. “It’s all good-news stories, and you can’t help but get involved.”
“Making cigar box guitars is a fun hobby,” said Todd Phillips, editor of Canadian auto dealer magazine. “After I showed a photo of one to Blair Qualey, he asked me to make a new one and donate it to the auction. It’s great knowing that some of the money raised will help Special Olympians pursue their dreams. Car dealers are always incredibly generous.”
The front of the three-string cigar box guitar was autographed by all four current members of the Barenaked Ladies: Tyler Stewart, Ed Robertson, Jim Creeggan and Kevin Hearn. The back features photos of the band members taken during their performance at Canada Night at NAD’eh in San Francisco in January 2019, and photos of Special Olympic athletes from B.C.
The instrument included a built-in equalizer and input jack so that it can be plugged into an amp, and featured a hand-carved poplar neck, and a fully-fretted 25-inch scale Exotic Wenge fretboard. The guitar’s headstock was carved into the shape of a flame symbolizing the Flame of Hope, the symbol for the Special Olympics, and features a gold hope medal.
From May 3, 2019 – May 9, 2019, a special online auction will raise more money for Special Olympics BC. To get involved, contact Christina Hadley, SOBC Vice President, Fund Development & Communications, at chadley@specialolympics.bc.ca.
Jim Inkster, winning bidder of a Barenaked Ladies autographed cigar box guitar and a trip for two to Las Vegas to see the band play.
Cigar box guitar autographed by all four current members of the Barenaked Ladies.
Special Olympics athletes from B.C. and Todd Phillips, editor, Canadian auto dealer pose with the custom-made cigar box guitar that was later auctioned off at the opening gala for the Vancouver International Auto Show.
