AUTOS

Showy Cars on Block: More than 300 classic, collector and special interest cars will be on the block in Orange County May 6 and 7 at the annual Newport Beach Classic & Collector Car Auction.

The event, staged on the grounds of the Hyatt Newporter Hotel, is expected to draw about 10,000 collectors, dealers and looky-loos. Featured cars include the 1977 Rolls Royce that Frank Sinatra gave his wife as a wedding gift and a 1962 Dual Ghia Coupe whose pedigree includes Dean Martin as its first owner.

The Newport Beach sale is one of four--including the famed Monterey Vintage Sports & Classic Car Auction held each August in conjunction with the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance --staged each year by Northern California’s World Classic Auction & Exposition Co.

Although auction publicity always touts the high-end cars to be offered, there also are less pricey vehicles in the pool. Last year, for example, prices ranged from $310,000 for a 1927 Rolls Royce Phantom touring car to $500 for a 1962 Ford F100 pickup.

--Compiled by John O’Dell / Times staff writer