A 1992 Chevrolet Lumina Goodwrench Dale Earnhardt Signature Edition will be auctioned by Mecum Auctions in Indianapolis Friday with proceeds benefiting the Automotive Education and Policy Institute (AEPI). 

The vehicle is No. 23 of 25 that were built at Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet in Newton, North Carolina, according to the Mecum Auction website. It says the vehicle’s owner manual and maintenance folio are autographed by Earnhardt. 

Erica Eversman, AEPI founder, said AEPI is in a tedious process of gathering insurance policies from providers in each state. It plans to evaluate and post the policies online to better help educate consumers and the repair marketplace. She said funds from the auction would help with the cost. 

AEPI was started in 2008 and works as an advocate for consumers and the repair industry by including knowledge and resources about the automotive marketplace, financing and leasing, auto insurance, and auto repairs. 

“We help educate consumers and become a resource for them to identify what their rights are in relation to their auto insurance, their vehicle repairs, and their ongoing maintenance of vehicles,” Eversman said. 

While insurance policies are public records, oftentimes, consumers are not aware of what their rights are, Eversman said. 

“Consumers are not consistently using their auto insurance like we use our health insurance,” Eversman said. “People aren’t very comfortable.” 

AEPI is an independent entity that helps consumers understand specifically what their auto insurance is supposed to pay for, Eversman said. She said, otherwise, consumers are only receiving their information from the insurer, the repair shop, or the vehicle manufacturer. 

Eversman said the institute also gives consumers questions they need to ask their repair shops, insurers, and regulators. It also provides contacts for state regulatory entities. 

The nonprofit also works as an informational hub for repair shops, she said. It can provide repairers a better understanding of what their obligations are to a consumer. 

Direct repair programs and consolidators have sometimes confused the role of the repairer, she said. 

“The consumer is the customer, not the insurance company,” Eversman said. “What the consumer wants and needs is what is important; not what the insurance company thinks is appropriate to pay.” 

Earnhardt’s vehicle will be auctioned at no reserve, according to Mecum Auction’s website. It says the vehicle is powered by a 3.4L/200 HP twin-cam V-6 engine backed by an automatic transmission. 

It only has 710 actual miles on it and features commemorative exterior decals, signature interior stitching, and turned-port injection. 

The Mecum Auction will be held at the Indiana State Fairgrounds through Sunday. The Earnhardt vehicle will be sold Friday. Gates open at 8 a.m. 

Bids can be made in person, online, or via telephone. To sign up for any of the options, click here. 

IMAGES

Photo courtesy of Mecum Auctions.