The 1954 Pontiac Bonneville Special kicked off the selection of vehicles from the Ron Pratte Collection on Saturday, January 17.

• The Ron Pratte Collection sold for more than $40.44 million in combined vehicle and automobilia sale
• More than 100 vehicles from the Ron Pratte Collection sold on Tuesday for $13 million, the highest sales on record for an early weekday auction at Barrett-Jackson
• The 1950 GM Futurliner (Lot# 2501) raises $4.65 million to benefit the Armed Forces Foundation

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Jan. 22, 2015 – Barrett-Jackson, The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions^TM, announced today that total vehicle and automobilia sales from the Ron Pratte Collection surpassed $40.44 million during its Scottsdale auction Jan. 10-18, 2015, at WestWorld in Scottsdale, Ariz. Waves of car enthusiasts, along with a record number of bidders, arrived early in the week as the first four days featured the majority of Pratte’s collection. Beginning Saturday, Jan. 10 and continuing through Tuesday, Jan. 13, the entire automobilia portion of Pratte’s collection was auctioned off. Tuesday concluded with the record-setting sale of the first 110 vehicles from Pratte’s collection.

“The Ron Pratte Collection created an unprecedented wave of excitement among bidders and fans worldwide during our Scottsdale auction,” said Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson. “The week started incredibly strong with the sale of Ron Pratte’s automobilia spanning four days and ultimately leading to us not just breaking, but nearly tripling the world record for automobilia sales at $6.55 million. On Tuesday, the room was packed and the atmosphere was truly electric for the first of Ron Pratte’s vehicles crossing the block, resulting in our most successful early weekday auction in Barrett-Jackson history.”

Saturday, Jan.10, through Tuesday, Jan. 13, over 1,600 pieces of automobilia from the Ron Pratte Collection were auctioned off, leading to an unprecedented $6.55 million for the entire automobilia auction. This marks the world record for automobilia auctions, nearly tripling the previous sales record. Pratte’s top-selling piece was a 1930’s Harley-Davidson two-sided neon porcelain sign (Lot #8997) that sold for $86,250.

On Tuesday, Jan. 13, more than 100 cars from the collection sold for over $13 million, the highest sales on record for an early weekday auction at Barrett-Jackson. The electrifying evening got underway immediately with a string of amazing bidding wars. The 1955 Pontiac Star Chief Convertible from “I Love Lucy” (Lot #2004) sold for $220,000, immediately followed by the famous Beverly Hillbillies Custom Truck (Lot #2005) going for $275,000 and a 1958 Plymouth Fury “Christine” (Lot #2006) bringing in $198,000. The top sale for Pratte’s Tuesday evening, a 1940 Ford Boyd Coddington Pickup (Lot #2010), sold just four lots later for $374,000.

“It took a monumental effort by the Barrett-Jackson team to execute this auction successfully,” said Pratte. “The logistics of photographing, removing, cataloguing, crating, transporting and then reassembling the Automobilia collection at the auction site along with my vehicles was nothing short of incredible. I am extremely satisfied by the results, and want to thank all those on the Barrett-Jackson team that helped make this happen.

“It was especially rewarding to see the crowds and the overwhelming success on Tuesday, the first day of the auction [of Pratte’s vehicles], especially after so many naysayers questioned the wisdom of this strategy. The Futurliner moment was one I will always remember, as the outpouring of support for our veterans made me extremely proud.”

Saturday’s auction featured select cars from the collection, beginning with two feature lots – the 1954 Pontiac Bonneville Special (Lot #2500) and the 1950 GM Futurliner Parade of Progress Tour Bus (Lot #2501).  The Bonneville Special quickly sold for $3.3 million and was followed by the $4 million purchase of the Futurliner. The Futurliner’s proceeds, in addition to $650,000 in additional pledges, went 100% to benefit the Armed Forces Foundation. Following the incredible start, the captivated auction arena carried the same ambiance throughout the remainder of the collection, including the one and only 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake (Lot# 2509), selling for $5.1 million.

“When we look back on historic moments in automotive history, the sale of Ron Pratte’s Collection will be among the most remembered,” said Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson. “The sale of the Super Snake for $5.1 million is a tribute to the lasting impact Carroll had on the automotive and racing worlds. Ron was an amazing steward of these fantastic cars and painstakingly restored, serviced and maintained them over the years. The sale of the Ron Pratte Collection wasn’t as much about quantity, as it was about quality. The new owners of these cars have a wonderful opportunity to carry on that legacy.”

The top-10 selling vehicles from the Ron Pratte Collection included:

• 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
• 1936 Delahaye “Whatthehaye” Street-Rod (Lot #2515) – $671,000
• 2005 Ford GT Serial #003 (Lot #2508) – $605,000
• 2007 Blastolene B-702 Custom Roadster (Lot #2507) – $550,000
• 1969 Shelby GT500 Convertible “Carroll Shelby’s” (Lot #2511) – $550,000
• 1969 Ford Mustang BOSS 429 (Lot #2518) – $550,000
• 1949 MG TC Roadster Race Car (Lot #2510)– $539,000
• 1941 Packard D’Agostino Custom “Gable” (Lot #2504) – $495,000

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• 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 Auctions^TM, 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.