The Snakebit F-100 couldn’t stay away from home for too long.
The custom-built 1956 Ford F-100 truck, made in Saskatchewan, was sold Friday at the Barrett-Jackson car auction in Scottsdale, Arizona to Prince Albert businessman Gord Broda for $450,000.
“We ended up bidding a little more than we planned on, but we’re just thrilled that we did and we’re just thrilled to be bringing the truck home, back to Saskatchewan,” Broda, president of Broda Group of Companies, said over the phone from Arizona.
His $450,000 will go towards the Saskatchewan Children’s Hospital.
“In the end it was a really thrilling moment,” said Broda. “As a family, we’re just really excited to have given a good contribution to the Children’s Hospital, which is really what it’s all about.”
KISS rocker Gene Simmons, alongside his wife Shannon Tweed, who grew up in Saskatoon, helped auction the truck.
Broda said right in the middle of the auction, Simmons stopped the bidding.
“He jumped in and offered up that he’s going to personally sign a guitar for the lucky buyer and even throw in VIP backstage treatment at one of his concerts,” Broda recalled. “That just added more incentive for everybody to keep the bidding process rolling, and it certainly motivated me to go a little higher.”
Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall, who shared the stage with Simmons and Tweed Friday night, said Simmons expressed interest in getting involved with more Saskatchewan Children’s Hospital fundraisers.
“It was a great night for the foundation and a good night for Saskatchewan,” said Wall from Arizona. “It’s huge for the Children’s Hospital.”
The Snakebit truck was custom built in Saskatoon and Warman. The vehicle fuses the body of a 1956 Ford F-100 truck with the front end of a Shelby GT Mustang and features a 550-horsepower, 5.4-litre engine, six-speed transmission and 20-inch wheels.
Wall was pretty excited to see the truck sell so high alongside so many other nice vehicles.
“It’s a pretty special vehicle,” Wall said. “I’m a car nerd myself. It was nice to be at the auction surrounded by them, but especially that truck.”
Broda plans to let the Children’s Hospital Foundation use the truck for other charity events, but made sure to note he will still have his fun behind the F-100’s wheel.
