Velocity Invitational, Cars & Bids Partner for Live On-Site Auction at Sonoma

Velocity Invitational, a celebration of car culture and historic racing, is bringing a live auction to Sonoma through a new partnership formed with Cars & Bids, the online car auction platform founded by Doug DeMuro. Cars & Bids members will be able to participate in the Velocity Invitational auction by submitting a vehicle they’re interested in selling, and if it meets the event’s criteria, their entry will be fast-tracked to become featured as an auction listing. Featured cars will also be displayed at the venue for interested parties to inspect before bidding.

The collaboration between Velocity Invitational and Cars & Bids will provide owners with a unique way to have their car featured in the event, company officials stated in a press release. Any members who decide to auction their vehicle will receive two General Admission tickets. In addition, a special discount code will be available to Cars & Bids members who want to attend Velocity Invitational without putting a vehicle on the auction block.

Petersen Automotive Museum Contributes Rare 1964 Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ to Auction

Among the vehicles already destined for the auction are several classics from the Petersen Automotive Museum, including a rare 1964 Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ (Tubolare Zagato). Built by Alfa Romeo’s performance division, Autodelta, from 1963, only 112 examples of the lightweight TZ1 were produced, featuring a tubular chassis, aluminum Zagato body with its distinctive “short tail,” a 1.6-liter twin-cam engine and 5-speed transmission.

Velocity Invitational & Cars & Bids Combine Digital & In-Person Car Culture

“I’ve always believed the best cars are the ones that actually get driven. And Velocity Invitational is the absolute pinnacle of that mindset,” said Daniel Harman, CEO of Cars & Bids. “I am thrilled to bring Cars & Bids on-site with a curated collection of enthusiast vehicles you can inspect in person or bid on from home. This partnership is the perfect way to bring our digital community to a world-class automotive event. I look forward to seeing these remarkable cars find new homes where they’ll be truly appreciated.”

“We strongly believe this collaboration reflects where car culture is going,” Jeff O’Neill, founder of Velocity Invitational, said in response. “The next generation of enthusiasts have grown up online, yet the emotional connection to cars is still very much physical. By bringing Cars & Bids together with Velocity Invitational, we’re creating a new kind of experience, where digital discovery and real-world connection combine. What Doug and his team have built in such a short time is remarkable and mirrors what we’re doing with Velocity: creating authentic, enthusiast-first experiences. By connecting these two worlds, you can stand next to a car you’ve followed online, hear it fire up and potentially take it home.”

Located at Sonoma Raceway, Velocity Invitational runs May 29–31.