Page 85 - Experience Magazine Summer 2023

destroyed,” Brinkman said, adding that because of that, over the years were an early 1960s Kentucky Fried
when a McDonald’s sign does come to auction, it is an Chicken light-up sign with a rotating message panel
incredibly special and rare opportunity. that crossed the block for $27,600 (below right), a
1960s Kentucky Fried Chicken Colonel Sanders wind
“McDonald’s is an iconic brand that is part of the
American experience,” he pointed out. “Everyone has vane (lower right), a vintage McDonald’s light-up sign
eaten at McDonald’s at some point in their life, and (lower right) and a vintage McDonald’s “Welcome”
it’s part of American car culture – people remember double-sided drive-thru light-up sign (opposite page).
loading into the car with their buddies after a baseball Other notable sales have included a 1950s-60s Big Boy
game and going to McDonald’s.” diner three-dimensional statue (lower left).
As Americans traveled across the country by car, Fast food chains and their iconic symbols have become
fast food chains spread far and wide, leading many integral to the American experience, symbolizing the
founders to accomplish the quintessential American nation’s love affair with cars and on-the-go lifestyles.
dream with impressive stories and humble beginnings From the pioneering assembly line of Henry Ford to the
that hold up as the ideal of American success. An advent of drive-in movies and restaurants, convenience
example is Colonel Harland Sanders, the founder of became paramount. Fast food chains have flourished,
Kentucky Fried Chicken, later known as KFC. Brinkman leaving an indelible mark on American culture, car
said that many collectors search for KFC memorabilia culture and culinary history.
featuring Colonel Sanders because of his success story. Register to bid today for a chance to own one or more of
“He was a very interesting individual that reflected the the nostalgic pieces of automobilia that will be crossing
American dream. He went broke several times in his the block with No Reserve at the upcoming Las Vegas
life. And then, in 1952, reinvented himself as Colonel Auction, June 22-24 in the West Hall of the Las Vegas
Sanders, started hustling chicken and grew that into an Convention Center. (Those registered to bid on collector
international brand.” cars are automatically registered to bid on automobilia
with no additional registration fees.)
Among the top-selling fast food memorabilia pieces
sold during Barrett-Jackson’s Automobilia Auction – Nicole Ellan James

85