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- Posted Wednesday January 27, 2016
Auction of Clarion Builds 1974 BMW 2002 to benefit cancer research at TGen
Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach set to auction Clarion's BMW 2002 restomod in April
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Jan. 27, 2016 - A classic 1974 BMW 2002 - the first "Clarion Builds" top-to-bottom restomod project by Clarion Corporation of America - is set to cross the block during the April 8-10 auction at Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach. Proceeds from the auction will benefit cancer research at the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen).
Sale of this iconic sport coupe to benefit TGen was announced today during the 2016 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction, which has raised nearly $2 million for the Barrett-Jackson Cancer Research Fund at TGen, in Memory of Russ and Brian Jackson. The fund, established in 2010, is a salute to auction Chairman and CEO Craig Jackson's father, Russ - one of the founders of Barrett-Jackson - and brother, Brian, whose lives were cut short by colon cancer.
"TGen is grateful for the support of these two iconic brands - Clarion and Barrett-Jackson," said TGen Foundation President Michael Bassoff. "Their passion for their work and for making a difference in the lives of individuals faced with cancer will serve to inspire our researchers as they apply precision medicine to the improved care of cancer patients worldwide."
Clarion's complete restoration of the BMW - a car that spawned the sports sedan revolution and put BMW firmly in charge of this automotive segment for the past four decades - has the lines of the '70s, but is now equipped with a modernized engine, transmission, brakes, suspension and - most importantly - Clarion sound.
"This sporty little coupe, a mix of practicality and muscle, incorporates the latest in technology to get to the heart of the driving experience, just as TGen employs state-of-the-art genetic investigations to uncover the driving force behind diseases like cancer," said Chris Forsberg, a two-time Formula Drift champion and official team test driver for Clarion Builds.
More than 400,000 of these grand pieces of automotive art and culture sold globally from 1968 to 1976, providing drivers with the feel of a sports car in a package that also can accommodate a family. It offers the best of both worlds.
"Clarion Builds was started with the mission of rekindling America's love-affair with the automobile by building and restoring cars with an incredible story that have touched the lives of automotive enthusiasts around the world," said Allen H. Gharapetian, Vice President of Marketing and Product Planning for Clarion Corporation of America and Chief of the Clarion Builds Program. "We are very excited to welcome Barrett-Jackson, organizers of the world's greatest collector car auctions, to the Clarion Builds family as the Official Auction Partner and to be working with them to market our beautiful and beloved BMW 2002 to their incredible global audience of automotive collectors and enthusiasts. Additionally, we are very pleased to be able to extend the reach of the lives touched by the Clarion Builds program with the donation of the auction proceeds to the TGen Foundation in support of cancer research."
Join two-time Formula Drift Champion and Clarion Builds Driver Chris Forsberg as he discovers how TGen is transforming medicine at its state-of-the-art research facility: https://youtu.be/ZZZdVQoP4vI
Pictures of the full build can be found at: http://bit.ly/ClarionBuildsBMW2002
Clarion Builds will be showcasing the BMW 2002 along with the program's latest project, a fully restomod 1991 Acura NSX, at Barrett-Jackson's Scottsdale event, Jan. 23-31.
To learn out more about Clarion Builds, or to follow the build of the program's iconic classic cars, visit Clarion Builds at www.clarionbuilds.com or watch the latest Clarion Builds video at www.youtube.com/clarionUS.
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About Clarion Builds
Clarion Builds is an innovative marketing program that began in the summer of 2014, initiated by Clarion Corporation of America to tackle unique restoration projects of iconic cars and trucks in cooperation with key partners, hand-selected for each individual project. The program is designed to connect with new and existing fans that are car enthusiasts, automotive sports fans, journalists, historians, and anyone with an interest in design and style, through a mix of social and traditional media. For info about Clarion, please visit: http://www.clarion.com/us/en/corp/about-clarion/index.html
About The Barrett-Jackson Auction Company
Established in 1971 and headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Barrett-Jackson, The World's Greatest Collector Car Auctions®, is the leader in collector car auctions and automotive lifestyle events. The company produces auctions in Scottsdale, Arizona; Palm Beach, Florida; at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut, and Las Vegas, Nevada. With broadcast partners, Velocity and Discovery Channel, Barrett-Jackson will feature live television coverage in 2016, including broadcasts in over 100 countries internationally. Barrett-Jackson also endorses a one-of-a-kind collector car insurance for collector vehicles and other valued belongings. For more information about Barrett-Jackson, visit http://www.barrett-jackson.com, or call 480-421-6694.
About TGen
Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a Phoenix, Arizona-based non-profit organization dedicated to conducting groundbreaking research with life changing results. TGen is focused on helping patients with neurological disorders, cancer, and diabetes, through cutting edge translational research (the process of rapidly moving research towards patient benefit). TGen physicians and scientists work to unravel the genetic components of both common and rare complex diseases in adults and children. Working with collaborators in the scientific and medical communities literally worldwide, TGen makes a substantial contribution to help our patients through efficiency and effectiveness of the translational process. For more information, visit:www.tgen.org. Follow TGen onFacebook,LinkedInandTwitter @TGen.
Press Contacts:
Steve Yozwiak
TGen Senior Science Writer
602-343-8704
[email protected]
Clarion Corporation of America
Michael Farino
New Era Communications, LLC
Phone: (949) 346-1984
[email protected]
