BARRETT-JACKSON REACHES HISTORIC HIGHS FOR SALES, CROWDS AND CELEBRITY APPEARANCES IN SCOTTSDALE
The 1954 Pontiac Bonneville Special kicked off the selection of vehicles from the Ron Pratte Collection on Saturday, January 17.
• Barrett-Jackson sold 1,611 vehicles, which went for more than $130 million (unaudited), smashing records in the company’s 44-year history during the 10-day auction at WestWorld of Scottsdale
• Automobilia sales nearly tripled world records, with 2,000 pieces selling for more than $6.55 million
• Celebrity attendance and crowds, along with ratings on Discovery and Velocity, spike
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Jan. 18, 2015 – Barrett-Jackson, The World’s Greatest Collector Car AuctionsTM, reached historic highs during the Scottsdale auction at WestWorld from Jan. 10-18, 2015. During the 10-day auction, Barrett-Jackson recorded more than $130 million in vehicle sales (unaudited) and a world record $6.55 million in automobilia sales (unaudited), making it the highest auction in sales to date. The Ron Pratte Collection alone brought in over $40.44 million in vehicle and automobilia sales.
“This year’s Scottsdale auction was on a scale unlike anything in our 44-year history,” said Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson. “From sales and consignments to our ratings on Discovery and Velocity, we smashed records at every level. Our week kicked off with a gala and continued to build excitement with our largest vehicle consignment in history, including the sale of the Ron Pratte Collection on Tuesday. Everyone who attended this year’s Scottsdale auction was a part of automotive history.”
In addition to the record-setting docket, a record number of bidders attended the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction for a chance to purchase from the wide range of American muscle, European classics, exotic sports cars and one-of-a-kind customs. The top 10 cars sold in Scottsdale include:
• 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake (Lot #2509) – $5.1 million
• 1950 GM Futurliner Parade of Progress Tour Bus (Lot #2501) – $4 million
• 1954 Pontiac Bonneville Special Motorama Concept Car (Lot #2500) – $3.3 million
• 1949 Talbot-Lago T-26 Grand Sport Franay (Lot #5087) – $1.65 million
• 1965 Shelby Cobra 427 Roadster (Lot #5090) – $1.595 million
• 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing (Lot #5075) – $1.1 million
• 1937 Mercedes-Benz 320B Cabriolet (Lot #5086) – $1.045 million
• 1936 Delahaye “Whatthehaye” Street-Rod (Lot #2515) – $671,000
• 1991 Ferrari F40 (Lot #5071) – $643,500
• 1953 Mercedes-Benz 300S Cabriolet (Lot #5076) – $643,500
“It’s been an absolute pleasure working with Ron and building his collection over the years,” said Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson. “It’s been as equally rewarding to work with him to prepare for this once-in-a-lifetime sale of his vehicles. Ron took great pride in the cars and automobilia. He painstakingly restored many of the vehicles, making them truly outstanding collectibles. It’s wonderful to see ownership of some amazing vehicles pass along to new collectors.”
Led by the 1950 GM Futurliner (Lot #2501) that raised $4,650,000 ($4 million bid and $650,000 in additional pledges) on Saturday evening, a total of 10 cars crossed the Scottsdale auction to raise $8,635,000 to benefit local and national charities. The Futurliner was donated by Pratte, a Vietnam veteran, to benefit the Armed Forces Foundation. The other nine charity auctions were:
• 2015 Jeep Wrangler Custom SUV (Lot #3001), donated by SEMA to benefit Child Help and Victory Junction – $85,000
• 2015 BMW M5 (Lot #3002), donated by BMW to BMW Car Club of America Foundation and Tire Rack Street Survival Program – $700,000
• 2016 Cadillac CTS-V (Lot #3003), donated by GM to benefit College for Creative Studies – $170,000
• 1979 Oldsmobile Cutlass Hurst (Lot #3004), donated by Joe Riley for Cancer Research Fund at TGen in memory of Russ and Brian Jackson – $140,000
• 1939 Cadillac LaSalle C-Hawk Custom Roadster (Lot #3005), donated by Bubba Watson for Birdies for the Brave – $410,000
• 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Convertible “1st Retail” (Lot #3006), donated by GM for United Way – $800,000
• 1999 Chevrolet Monte Carlo NASCAR Busch Series Stock Car (Lot #3007), donated by Jeff Gordon and Ray Evernham for Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation – $500,000
• Ford Shelby GT350R VIN #001 Coupe (Lot #3008) donated by Ford for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation – $1,000,000
• 2014 Victory Cross Country 8-Ball Motorcycle (Lot #3009), anonymously donated to benefit Ride 2 Recovery – $180,000
The 2015 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction was a star-studded extravaganza and included some of the brightest celebrities on the movie screen and TV, as well as from the sports industry and corporate world. Some of the biggest stars included four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon, two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson and Hollywood stars Sharon Stone and Tim Allen. Other popular luminaries included:
• CeeLo Green, pop music artist
• Rodney Atkins, country music artist
• Thompson Square, country music duo
• Alice Cooper, rock music artist
• Reggie Jackson, MLB Hall of Famer
• Michael Anthony, rock music artist
• Steven Seagal, actor
Barrett-Jackson’s new relationship with Velocity and Discovery Channel premiered with a spike in ratings for the channel during auction coverage in Scottsdale. Throughout 2015, Velocity and Discovery Channel will broadcast more than 100 hours of coverage that will include auctions in West Palm Beach, Fla., as well as Reno and Las Vegas, Nev., in 2015. The top three manufacturers including Ford Motor Company, GM and Dodge showcased their latest models and offered interactive activities for auction guests.