BARRETT-JACKSON SCOTTSDALE AUCTION RAISES OVER $8.6 MILLION FOR CHARITY WITH HELP FROM CELEBRITIES, PRO ATHLETES
- Hollywood actress Sharon Stone joined Linda Vaughn, “Miss Hurst Golden Shifter,” on the auction block to help sell the ’79 Hurst Oldsmobile Olds (Lot #3004), raising $140,000 for TGen
- Ron Pratte’s 1950 GM Futurliner (Lot #2501) raised an incredible $4,650,000 with a $4 million dollar bid and an additional $650,000 in pledges
- Jeff Gordon and Ray Evernham’s 1999 No. 24 Pepsi Chevrolet Monte Carlo (Lot #3007) raised $500,000 to benefit Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Jan. 20, 2015 – Barrett-Jackson, The World’s Greatest Collector Car AuctionsTM, raised over $8.6 million for local and national charitable organizations during its Scottsdale auction Jan. 10-18, 2015, at WestWorld in Scottsdale, Ariz. Celebrities, pro athletes and business leaders, including Hollywood actress Sharon Stone, NASCAR legends Jeff Gordon and Ray Evernham, and pro golfer Bubba Watson, brought their star power and celebrity to help raise millions for U.S. veterans, children, cancer patients and others across the country.
“Our Scottsdale auction brought unbelievable vehicles and celebrity star power to help raise much needed awareness and funds for charities across the country,” said Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson. “I’m proud that our auction can be a platform and a voice for generous people and companies, like Ron Pratte, Ford and GM, to support organizations who strive to make our world a better place. I’m especially grateful for the generosity of our bidders this year who helped us raise $8.6 million to support deserving individuals and families.”
Hollywood actress Sharon Stone and “Miss Hurst Golden Shifter” Linda Vaughn combined their celebrity status to support The Cancer Research Fund at TGen in memory of Russ and Brian Jackson. Hammering in at $140,000, the ’79 Hurst Oldsmobile Olds is one of the last Hurst vehicles presented to Linda Vaughn for her dedication to the Hurst brand.
Among the most electrifying moments of the auction was the sale of the ’50 GM Futurliner (Lot #2501), which was donated by Ron Pratte. Set against the backdrop of a packed house with audience members waving American flags, the Futurliner sold for $4 million to benefit the Armed Forces Foundation.
“We have a deep appreciation for the service and bravery of our nation’s military,” said Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson. “The energy in the room when the GM Futurliner rolled on the block was infectious and tangible. We were also moved when wounded veterans joined us on the block during the auction of the Victory Cross Country motorcycle benefitting Ride to Recovery. These were inspirational moments in Barrett-Jackson history that everyone in attendance, as well as those who watched on TV and online, will remember for years to come.”
Davis purchased the Victory Cross Country motorcycle for $90,000 to support Ride 2 Recovery. In an incredible show of appreciation, business leader and philanthropist Brett Torino matched Davis’ donation to bring the total donation up to $180,000. Ride 2 Recovery, which features cycling as its core activity, is produced by the Fitness Challenge, a 501(c)(3), in partnership with the Military and VA Volunteer Service Office to benefit mental and physical rehabilitation programs for our country’s wounded veterans and healing heroes.
NASCAR racing legends Jeff Gordon and Ray Evernham were on the auction block when their 1999 No. 24 Pepsi Chevrolet Monte Carlo (Lot #3007) sold for $500,000 to benefit Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation. Gordon’s car won the inaugural Busch Series event at Phoenix International Raceway in 1999. The team’s Pepsi-sponsored cars ran six races with Gordon as driver and Evernham as crew chief.
Ford CEO Mark Fields and Aaron Shelby, Carroll Shelby’s grandson, piloted the Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R,VIN #001 (Lot #3008), on the block in support of JDRF. Selling to a full auction house, the crowd favorite GT350R sold for $1 million.
Bubba Watson, pro golfer and two-time Masters champion, was on the block when his ’39 Cadillac LaSalle C-Hawk Custom Hardtop Roadster (Lot #3005) hammered in at $410,000. Proceeds from Watson’s donation will benefit Birdies for the Brave, which supports critical programs and services to meet the specialized needs of wounded veterans and military.
Other charity cars included:
- 2015 Jeep Wrangler Custom SUV (Lot #3001) – $85,000
- 2015 BMW M5 (Lot #3002) – $700,000
- 2016 Cadillac CTS-V (Lot# 3003) – $170,000
- 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Convertible “1st Retail” (Lot #3006) – $800,000
Celebrities who came to Scottsdale to participate in the excitement and energy of the auction were in no short supply. In addition to those who were on the auction block to support charity, other celebrities in attendance included:
- Tim Allen, actor
- CeeLo Green, pop music artist
- Michael Anthony, former Van Halen bass player
- Alice Cooper, rock music artist
- Arie Luyendyk, retired race car driver
- Frankie Muniz, actor
- John Schneider, actor
- Paul Teutel, Orange County Choppers co-founder
- Doug Ducey, governor of Arizona
- Reggie Jackson, retired American baseball legend and National Baseball Hall of Fame member
- Shane Doane, captain of the Arizona Coyotes
- Jacoby Ellsbury, center fielder for the New York Yankees
- Chip Ganassi, NASCAR team owner and retired race car driver
- Rick Hendrick, NASCAR team owner
- Sir Sterling Moss, former Formula 1 driver
- Don Prudhomme, NHRA racing legend
- Bobby Rahal, IndyCar team owner and retired race car driver
- Richard Rawlings, entrepreneur and reality TV star
- Bill Simpson, retired race car driver
- Steven Seagal, actor
Jeff Gordon and Ray Evernham donated this 1999 Chevrolet Monte Carlo NASCAR Busch Series stock car. The donation brought in $500,000 for the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation.
Bubba Watson donated his 1939 Cadillac LaSalle C-Hawk Custom Roadster to raise $410,000 for Birdies for the Brave.