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Barrett Jackson
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Barrett Jackson
Six full days of Auction Action
The Barrett Jackson Auction celebrated
its 37th year of offering some of the Worlds Finest
Collector Cars for auction at No Reserve. This year’s event was
again held at West World in Scottsdale, Arizona January 13th
– 20th. For years Barrett Jackson was synonymous with
Scottsdale Arizona in January. Things do change, there are now six
Collector Car auctions in Scottsdale during the month of January.
Each of the competing auction companies has its own automobile
specialty. Barrett Jackson concentrates on Muscle Cars, Street Rods
and Resto-Mods, but you will find a good mix of all types of
automobiles at their event. They definitely specialize in record
breaking sale prices.
Of the six auctions I elected to experience the original, Barrett
Jackson. I had never attended the Scottsdale Barrett Jackson auction
until this year. I was not disappointed. It is a Class event. Speed
Channel covers this event each year and they do a great job, but it
is nothing like being there. The auction is very impressive; 1000 to
1200 cars are offered for auction at no reserve with 4800 registered
bidders. The event draws an estimated 250,000 automobile enthusiasts.
This year’s sales were expected to top 110 million dollars.
The event is more than just great cars being offered to the
highest bidder. You will find a fantastic selection of automobilia
and memorabilia that is auctioned as well. There is something for
everyone in the exhibitor tents and in the Barrett Jackson Lifestyle
Pavilion. This is the ultimate flea market for the wealthy. Where else
can you shop for art, bronze sculptures, jewelry, custom built
garages and vacation homes and furnishings along with dealers
offering personal aircraft, vintage boats, custom speed boats and
personal helicopters. Are you ready to trade up for a new Bentley
Continental? Coupe, Sedan or Convertible…
Ford was this year’s major sponsor. The Ford Motor Company room had
all of the latest Ford offerings and some future Ford automobiles,
such as the new Flex and the soon to be released Bullet Mustang.
There were plenty of new Mustangs parked throughout the room. You
could register for the hourly drawing to win a chance to experience Drag Racing new Mustangs. This was really cool, two Mustangs
were tied down to dynamotors. There was a NHRA style Christmas tree
and you can figure out the rest. The winners actually got to drive
the Mustangs wide open and banging gears through a timed and
recorded ¼ mile race. They would rotate the Mustangs around from the
floor to the platform drag strip each night so you would have new
racers each day. I watched the new Bullet Mustang run against a
black Mustang GT. Nice Job Ford!
I will not attempt to cover the auction results. The major magazines
and websites will do a much better job. But, some of the more
notable cars were that of the Corvette “Rondine” from the 196 3 Paris
Auto Show. Pronounced “Ron” D “Nay”, the car started life as a well
optioned 1963 Fuel Injected Corvette Stingray Coupe. Tom Tjaarda
from the Italian Design House of Pininfarina then began working his
magic.
After the Paris Auto Show, the car was put away in the Pininfarina
Museum in Turin, Italy. The car did not surface again until the 2005
Concours at Villia d’Este to celebrate Pininfarina's birthday. The
car was then moved back to the museum. Concept cars do not come up
for sale very often and when they do; they command a lot of
attention. When they change hands they command a lot of money. The
Rondine Corvette sold for 1.6 million dollars. Three cars crossed
the block this year selling in seven figures. A 1928 Dual Cowl
Duesenberg sold for 1 million dollars, and the first, as in serial
number one, 2008 Corvette ZR-1 sold for 1 million dollars.
Another C oncept Car that drew the huge crowds all week was the “Italien”,
considered by some to be the most significant Thunderbird ever to be
offered for sale. The 1963 Italien Thunderbird Concept Car toured in
Fords “Custom Car Caravan” in 1962 and 1963. The Italien was also
showcased in the 1964 New York City Worlds Fair “Cavalcade of
Customs” This beautiful car sold on Saturday for $600,000. A more
affordable Thunderbird was the 1966 convertible used in the Thelma
and Louise film, obviously it is the car used in the movie before
the cliff drop. It brought $65,000.
Anything with Carroll Shelby history was Hot and bringing big money.
His personal car since new, a 1969 Shelby GT500 Convertible in Red
sold for $675,000. A 2008 Shelby GT500 KR Coupe, in “KITT” black,
sold for $550,000. Just one more, because I grew up with this one…
The original Monkee Mobile sold for $360,000. OK no more auction
numbers.
The Barrett Jackson Scottsdale event is now on my list of annual
pilgrimages. Scottsdale is a perfect winter getaway. Besides the
collector ca r
auctions Scottsdale offers pleasant January weather, fine lodging,
great shopping and many restaurants. You are only minutes from a
desert masterpiece,
Frank Lloyd
Wright’s Taliesin West.
Taliesin West was the architects personal home, studio and
architectural campus. It is located on 600 acres in the beautiful
Sonora Desert.
You really should allow a few extra days in your planning to see
Sedona, Arizona. It is only 2 hours from Scottsdale. You have to see
the Red Rocks. Sedona is considered to be one of the most beautiful
places on earth and I must agree.
Check out our Barrett Jackson
Photo Gallery!
Visit the
Barrett Jackson website, www.barrett-jackson.com
for
auction results and information on their upcoming events
January 2008 |
