Barrett-Jackson Auction Company, “The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions”, celebrated its 40th anniversary with sports and Hollywood royalty, including Tim Allen, Bret Michaels and Randy Johnson. Nearly $70 million worth of Hot Rods, Resto-Mods, pre-war classics, exotics, muscle cars and contemporary collectibles crossed the block from Jan. 17-23, at WestWorld of Scottsdale in front of a quarter of a million cheering people.  Their energy charged the 40th Annual Scottsdale Auction, which featured more than 1,200 cars selling at No Reserve.  All the entertainment was captured on SPEED with 40 hours of live coverage. 

“Barrett-Jackson has become far more than just an auction, it’s a celebration that attracts everyone from captains of industry to celebrities and athletes who want to be part of this fantastic event,” said Craig Jackson, chairman/CEO of Barrett-Jackson.  “We sold more vehicles for more money than any other collector car event in North America.  We proved the collector car hobby is growing with record breaking attendance, as well as a record number of new bidders and consignors.  This is no longer an ‘old boy’s club’.  We’ve transformed into a mainstream event much like the NFL Championship game, Kentucky Derby or New Year’s Eve in Times Square.”

“A-list” celebrities and athletes were not the only ones who attended Barrett-Jackson.  Over a quarter of a million consignors, bidders, fans and visitors walked through the gates to check out the vendor, exhibitor and sponsor activities.  These included an on-site nightclub, Ride N’ Drives provided by Ford and GM, fashions shows, a panel by Corvette Market, seminars and much more.  Barrett-Jackson experienced nearly a 30 percent increase in attendance from the 2010 auction, despite competing with NFL playoff games. 

New bidders and consignors were also attracted to the No Reserve auction with nearly 50 percent of the total bidders taking home vehicles from Barrett-Jackson for the first time.  More than 45 percent of consignors were also new to the Barrett-Jackson scene.  Popularity among younger generations was apparent among the Barrett-Jackson attendees with many of them snapping up top selling muscle cars and contemporary collectibles.

The roster of celebrities at the event was staggering.  From Hollywood’s A-list came Tim Allen, Bret Michaels, David Foster, Valerie Bertinelli and Bill Goldberg, who were just a few checking out the latest rides garnering attention in the hobby.  Both Michaels and Goldberg consigned personal vehicles for the 40^th anniversary event and appeared together several times on the auction block for screaming fans.  Celebrities who consigned vehicles included Sylvester Stallone, Alan Jackson and Jesse James. 

Professional athletes were attracted to the excitement of the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale event.  Pat “Pat the Bat” Burrell was among the thousands in attendance; he is currently an outfielder for the 2010 World Series Championship San Francisco Giants.  Randy Johnson, nicknamed “The Big Unit” in his Major League Baseball days, was also on hand to celebrate the Barrett-Jackson 40^th anniversary while Jacoby Ellsbury, a center fielder for the Boston Red Sox, bought a 1970 Chevrolet Camaro custom two-door coupe.  Houston Astros infielder Bill Hall also purchased a 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle custom coupe during the event.

Motorsports athletes came out in big numbers to witness the market latest trends.  Celebrated Indy 500 race car driver Parnelli Jones returned to Barrett-Jackson again to provide commentary and support for the sale of a 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca coupe that raised money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).  Two-time Indy 500 champion Arie Luyendyk and Motorsports Hall of Fame of America member Tom Sneva stood alongside Barrett-Jackson fans to cheer on the bidding competitions.

Valerie Thompson, a two-time Land Speed Record Holder and NHRA team owner, drove multiple motorcycles across the block, including the “Big Toe” monster bike, The Guinness Book of World Record’s “Tallest Rideable Motorcycle”.  Richard Petty, who won the NASCAR Championship seven times, was a returning guest to Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale, while Rick Hendrick bought 23 vehicles at No Reserve to replace the 13 vehicles he sold.

“High-profile Hollywood personalities discovered our auctions a few years ago and the number of them attending keeps growing,” noted Jackson.  “They can’t get enough of the high energy and excitement, and the opportunity to enjoy all our automotive lifestyle activities.  It’s entertainment that you can’t get anywhere else.  From the intensity of the auction block to the luxurious spa and shopping excursions, people know there’s nothing in the world like Barrett-Jackson.”

Hollywood’s greatest weren’t the only celebrities that generated headlines during the week.  The 1963 Pontiac Bonneville “JFK ambulance” (Lot #1277) sold for $132,000.  The vehicle was surrounded by mystery relating to its provenance, which Barrett-Jackson worked to help its consignor unravel. 

A recipient of the 2010 World’s Top 100 Most Ethical Companies Award, Barrett-Jackson provided documentation and evidence relating to the vehicle for the public and media during the auction to draw their own conclusions.

“We pride ourselves on being a transparent, honest and open company,” added Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson.  “We stood by our consignor and provided documents from both sides of the argument.  This gave people the opportunity to make their own decision.  We’re happy the vehicle found a new home and the bidder is pleased with the purchase.”

Sponsors Ford and GM made charity a priority during the automotive auction week.  Executives from Ford, including President of the Americas/Executive VP of Ford Motor Co. Mark Fields, were on stage when a one-off 2012 Ford Boss Mustang Laguna Seca coupe (Lot #1296) sold for $450,000, with all proceeds benefitting JDRF.  Chevrolet executives unveiled a 2011 Camaro Indy 500 pace car (Lot #1284) on Jan. 20, to an exclusive invitation-only audience.  The collectible GM racer was auctioned on Saturday to benefit the David Foster Foundation and generated $225,000.  Both vehicles represent part of the more than $4 million raised during the 2011 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction.

“Through our partnerships with Ford and GM, we unveiled two of the most unique and collectible cars ever built” explained Davis.  “They generously donated those vehicles to benefit two deserving charities through the No Reserve sale by generating tremendous buzz among collector car owners.  They chose to do this at Barrett-Jackson because it’s the only place in the world to connect with so many who share their passion for cars.”

The 2012 Ford Boss Mustang took honors for the single highest sale of the auction.  The vehicle was specifically produced by Ford Motor Company for the 40th anniversary Barrett-Jackson event.  It was created with a unique paint color to commemorate the first-place Boss 302 finish at the 1970 Trans-Am series opener. 

The highest selling package was a car, boat and trailer trio.  A limited edition Crystal Red Metallic 2008 Corvette LE Z06 coupe (Lot #1303.2), sold with its colors matching 2010 Marine Technology Inc. Catamaran custom 44’ performance boat (Lot #1303) and 2006 American Tilt trailer (Lot #1303.1) for $742,500.

Competitive bidding heated up the main auction pavilion at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction.  The top 10 vehicles that crossed the block were (includes buyer’s premium):

• Lot #1296 – 2012 Ford Boss Mustang Laguna Seca coupe - $450,000
• Lot #1252.1 – 1956 De Soto Fireflite convertible - $368,500
• Lot #1309 – 1932 Ford custom roadster - $346,500
• Lot #1308 – 2005 Ferrari 575 Superamerica retractable hardtop coupe - $330,000
• Lot #1263 – 1932 Chrysler Imperial convertible sedan - $330,000
• Lot #1342 – 1950 Mercury custom two-door coupe - $330,000
• Lot #1286 – 1971 Plymouth Barracuda custom two-door coupe - $308,000
• Lot #1272.3 – 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS Callaway/Hendrick edition - $240,000
• Lot #12950 – 1969 Ford Boss 429 Mustang fastback - $258,500
• Lot #1279 – 1959 Chevrolet Corvette custom convertible - $253,000

Barrett-Jackson is currently accepting consignment requests and bidder applications for the 2011 Palm Beach Auction scheduled April 7-9, at Americraft Expo Center at the South Florida Fairgrounds.  For more information, log on to www.barrett-jackson.com.