NEW YORK (Reuters) – Bruce Springsteen’s 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible, referenced in his iconic song “Born to Run,” is up for auction and is expected to fetch several hundred thousand dollars.
Springsteen super fan Michael Crane said on Thursday the auction of the car was the first in the planned sale of his entire Springsteen collection because he wanted to move on from his long love affair with The Boss.
“I’ve been a fan since I was 7 years old. I got to meet Bruce Springsteen with the car, which was amazing. But I’m ready to move on in my life and I want to pass the torch on to somebody who will enjoy the car and get to drive it,” Crane, 46, told Reuters.
Crane, who like Springsteen is also from New Jersey, believes Springsteen was referring to the car in his 1975 hit “Born to Run” in the line, “I looked out across my hood and saw the highway buckle ‘neath the wheels of a gold Chevy 6.”
The car is being sold on eBay in an auction that ends on Monday. Bidding on Thursday afternoon was $200,100 – below the undisclosed reserve price.
Crane bought the yellow soft-top with orange flames on eBay in 2006 and it was exhibited at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland from 2008-2010. It has registration and insurance documents in Springsteen’s name and is in running condition.