Barrett-Jackson sues Michigan judge

A Michigan judge is being sued by an Arizona collector car auction company after he accused the firm of underselling his classic vehicle. David Clabuesch said his 1970 Hemi 'Cuda sold for $300,000 at Scottsdale's Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction in January but the muscle car should have fetched $700,000 to $1 million.

Barrett-Jackson is suing Clabuesch in U.S. District Court in Phoenix for "outrageous and defamatory actions," including chaining the car's wheels at the auction tent and putting up a sign calling its sale void.

The lawsuit, filed Thursday, seeks unspecified damages and asks Clabuesch to stop maligning Barrett-Jackson.

Clabuesch, a 57-year-old judge in the Huron County Probate Court, said he did not defame Barrett-Jackson. "They quick-gaveled the car," said Clabuesch, who protested the bidding procedure immediately and is willing to let a jury decide whether the sale was handled properly. Detroit News