BEHIND THE SHADES: President Steve Davis talks about the “Barrett-Jackson experience”
June 3, 2019
Posted by Barrett-Jackson
Barrett-Jackson President Steve Davis
STEVE DAVIS’ DARK GLASSES PROTECT HIS EYES FROM A LIGHT SENSITIVITY CONDITION – BUT THAT DOESN’T HINDER HIS VISION OF THE COLLECTOR CAR MARKET.
Newcomers to Barrett-Jackson no doubt hear us refer to the “Barrett-Jackson experience” and wonder what that even means. Before they enter one of our events for the first time, they likely think they’re simply headed to a car auction, or perhaps a “car show.” But they are in for a surprise – which is where the “experience” comes into play.
We have just finished up our largest three-day Palm Beach Auction in our history, on the heels of an incredible Scottsdale event, and are heading into the Northeast. As I reflect back on all the remarkable moments that have taken place on our auction block, it’s hard to believe we are nearing our 50th anniversary. The Barrett-Jackson experience has truly evolved into something very special and unique – and it isn’t just a tagline. What makes it unique is that it’s different for everyone; it’s not a “one size fits all.”
To some people, it’s just the overall excitement of the event and the celebrities you may see while you’re there. Just like there are those who attend the Super Bowl and have so much fun they don’t even know who won the game in the end, there are some who have such a good time experiencing all the peripheral activities we have to offer they never see a car roll across the auction block!
To others the Barrett-Jackson experience may be the thrill of speeding around a track with a professional driver in one of the hottest cars on the market today. It could be the experience of walking through our amazing Exhibitor Marketplace, where you have everything from fashion to furniture and everything in between – it’s like an incredible mall that only happens during that moment, and it will never be repeated exactly the same way again.
There are those who have watched us on television for over 20 years and are now having an exhilarating experience seeing the event in person for the very first time. Maybe you have a car or a collection you have built over the years, and you’re feeling the excitement and anticipation of selling it on the Barrett-Jackson auction block – now that’s an experience!
Sometimes the experience begins with the anticipation of getting to Barrett-Jackson. People come from all over the world to attend our events; our flagship Scottsdale Auction is attended by people from all 50 states, as well as many foreign countries. One enthusiast from the U.K. even contacted us last year to find out the dates of our 2019 Las Vegas Auction so he could plan his Nevada wedding around it! Our events have truly become “happenings,” must-attend destination events on a global scale.
Barrett-Jackson is a place where car enthusiasts come to celebrate the lifestyle of this incredible collector car universe that we’re a part of. But it’s also a place where corporate America comes to have their annual meetings and seal deals. It’s a place that major automotive manufacturers have gravitated to for years when they have a new car to present to the public in the best possible environment – and that often means selling a significant vehicle on our auction block to benefit a very worthy cause.
ON THE BLOCK FOR CHARITY AT THE NORTHEAST AUCTION: 2019 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 – Last Built – No Reserve – 100% of hammer price to benefit the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation. Will be sold on Friday, June 28, 2019.
Such is the case at our upcoming Northeast Auction, where General Motors will be selling the very last C7 Corvette to benefit the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation. Last year, it was Dodge selling the last-production 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon and last-production 2017 Dodge Viper as a pair for charity. Our youngest auction, at our newest venue, now in its fourth year, continues to pick up momentum, and the manufacturers have identified the Northeast as an incredible market for them.
The historical offering of the last C7 Corvette on the Barrett-Jackson auction block is the end of an era, but also paves the way for the much-anticipated C8. Those witnessing this monumental sale will, in a roundabout way, become part of this history-making moment, while creating a once-in-a-lifetime Barrett-Jackson experience.
Barrett-Jackson is an opportunity for multiple generations to interact, learn and appreciate something based on what each likes, from the classics of the ʼ20s and ʼ30s to the latest hypercar – there is literally something for all ages and all tastes.
You’ll see it all at Barrett-Jackson, where we embrace the future while celebrating the past, and package our events in such a way that creates entertainment, excitement and lifelong memories. You can’t beat an experience like that.