Ah, what a change it was. If the Barrett-Jackson Auction is a circus, the RM Auction is a dress ball at the Ritz.

Held at the world-famous Arizona Biltmore Hotel, the RM event is definitely upscale and way up the money tree. But the cars are breathtaking and although many are pure classics, some plebian autos are sold here, too.

This was a day for previews and setting up, offering a chance to photograph cars in comparatively uncluttered conditions. The star of this year's event is unquestionably the James Bond Aston Martin which is not at all in restored condition. It's been used to the extent that the leather on the driver's seat is almost worn out. Nevertheless the car's history assures that it will go for over a million.

Barrett-Jackson did not have a monopoly on concept cars (in fact there were only three), for RM proudly displayed the 1941 Chrysler Thunderbolt shown here. Chrysler's first "dream car," it has a one-piece metal top and futuristic styling. One of five surviving, and the finest by far, this Thunderbolt was an award winner at Pebble Beach in 1997. I love it. Love, unfortunately, does not come not cheap.