CELEBRATION OF THE AUTOMOBILE REVS UP AT BARRETT-JACKSON AUCTION IN SCOTTSDALE
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – January 17, 2008 - Superstars and super cars are beginning to heat up the action at the 37th Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event in Scottsdale, Ariz. After two days of steady sales of collector cars sold at No Reserve, the automotive lifestyle event is shifting into high gear as some of the hottest celebrities and highest profile cars warm up for the biggest auction days. Big names like Patrick Dempsey, Carroll Shelby, Tony Stewart, Richard Childress, Alice Cooper, Reggie Jackson, George Barris, Tom Tjaarda, John Schneider, Tim Allen, Bob Segar and Randy Johnson, as well as several “surprise celebrities” are expected to mingle with the public as bidders vie for cars ranging from great classics to muscle cars and Hollywood movie vehicles over the next four days. SPEED will broadcast the block action live during the evening.
“The event has progressed exactly as we planned with a solid lineup of entry and mid-level collector cars thus far,” said Steve Davis, president of the Barrett-Jackson Auction Company. “Now the action is beginning to really heat up as some of the biggest names in entertainment, racing and corporate America begin to join the party. With the highest profile collector vehicles preparing to roll across the block during the next few days, we are looking forward to one of the most historic events in our history.”
Officials with the Barrett-Jackson Auction Company also announced preliminary figures that revealed continued strong attendance, a significant increase in Web hits and impressive overall sales for a docket of 207 entry and mid-level collector cars yesterday. Approximately $6,700,000 worth of cars was sold on the block with several hitting the $100,000 mark including a 1957 Bel Air convertible, a 1971 Ford Torino 429 Cobra Jet and a 1957 custom Chevrolet Bel Air. The total number of visitors to the Barrett-Jackson Web site also increased from an impressive 11 million on Tuesday to a record breaking 16 million on Wednesday. Other key facts include a 13 percent increase in foreign bidders and a 25 percent increase in bidder credit limit so far over 2007.
Other auction highlights included the sale of a 1966 small block Corvette convertible for $66,000, a 1970 Chevelle SS for $65,000, a wild 1932 five window Ford custom for $61,000, a 1964 Plymouth Sport Fury for $69,000 and a quirky “one-door” Heinkel Trojan for $29,000.
“In addition to the celebrities that will be in attendance, we’re offering some cars with their own ‘star’ power,” Davis noted. “This year, bidders will get the opportunity to bid on John Schneider’s 1969 Dodge Charger Coupe, a.k.a ‘General Lee’, as well as the 2004 Panoz Esperante ‘The Flying Car’ from the TV show ‘Monster Garage’, the 1966 Thunderbird from the film ‘Thelma & Louise’, the custom catamaran with a matching Hummer and trailer from the 2006 movie ‘Miami Vice,’ and a custom Harley owned by William Shatner. We’re also selling the iconic ‘Monkeemobile’ by George Barris, as well as a ‘Batmobile’ and ‘Beverly Hillbilly’s’ jalopy that he created.”
About The Barrett-Jackson Auction Company
Established in 1971 and headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Barrett-Jackson specializes in providing products and services to classic and collector car owners, astute collectors and automotive enthusiasts around the world. The company produces the “World’s Greatest Collector Car Events™” in Scottsdale, Palm Beach, Fla. and Las Vegas. For more information about Barrett-Jackson, visit www.barrett-jackson.com or call (480) 421-6694.
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