Barrett-Jackson Hits $116.7 Million in Total Sales and Hosts Former U.S. President George W. Bush at Spectacular 2018 Scottsdale Auction

January 22, 2018
Posted by Barrett-Jackson

No Reserve Cars, Customs, Trucks and Charity Cars Set the Bar in Scottsdale

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – January 22, 2018 – With notable celebrity appearances that included former President George W. Bush and an incredible docket of desirable vehicles, Barrett-Jackson’s 47th Annual Scottsdale Auction once again set the bar for the collector car hobby. In total 1,721 vehicles, nearly all at No Reserve, sold for more than $106.8 million, while over 1,100 pieces of automobilia brought in over $3.7 million, and $6.21 million was raised through the sale of charity vehicles, bringing the total auction sales to more than $116.7 million.

Barrett-Jackson also reached an incredible milestone by helping to raise nearly $102 million for charity to date, largely through the sale of vehicles donated for a cause. At the Scottsdale event, 10 charity cars included a current-generation Ford GT (Lot #3010) that brought in $2.55 million. The sale of a 2018 Corvette Carbon 65 Edition (Lot #3007) generated $1.4 million, 100 percent of which will go to the former president’s Military Service Initiative. Barrett-Jackson also had one of its strongest opening weekends in history, and throughout the event hosted celebrity guests and athletes, including Jay Leno, Michael Phelps, Kenny Chesney, David Spade, Tim Allen, Alice Cooper, Bruce Arians, Alan Williams, Archie Bradley and Arizona Governor Doug Ducey.

Former U.S. President George W. Bush and Barrett-Jackson CEO Craig Jackson stand arm-in-arm celebrating the $1.4 million sale of a 2018 Corvette Carbon 65 Edition (Lot #3007) to benefit the president’s Military Service Initiative.

“We’re so thankful for the entire collector car community and everyone who joined together to create so many signature Barrett-Jackson moments on the block this week,” said Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson. “Many records were set as No Reserve vehicles continue to attract strong bidding, and our automobilia sales were the most impressive yet. It was an honor to host former President George W. Bush on our auction block – another Barrett-Jackson first – along with Chad McQueen on the 50th anniversary of his father’s famous film, ‘Bullitt.’ While every year is special at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale, this one truly stands out.”

The top 10 vehicles sold during the 2018 Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction Week, which finished with an astonishing 99.1 percent sell-through rate, included:

1. 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder (Lot #1415) – $1,430,000
2. 1952 Ferrari 212 Europa (Lot #1378) – $1,100,000.00
3. 1965 Chevrolet Corvette Cutaway Coupe (Lot #1413) – $1,100,000
4. 1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 (Lot #1409) – $$770,000
5. 1966 Shelby GT350 Prototype #001 (Lot #1406) – $605,000
6. 2015 MTI Racing Boat (Lot #1426) – $548,900
7. 2006 Ford GT Heritage Edition (Lot #1414) – $495,000
8. 1968 Chevrolet Corvette L88 (Lot #1418) – $495,000
9. 1958 Chevrolet Corvette Custom Convertible (Lot #1348) – $440,000
10. 1970 Pontiac GTO Judge Ram Air IV Convertible (Lot #1412) – $440,000

“Collectors come to Barrett-Jackson because we craft an incredible docket filled with vehicles for every buyer level and interest,” said Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson. “This year, prime examples of high-profile ’60s muscle cars continued to be strong, while customs, hot rods, trucks and SUVs were particularly popular; several setting world records. Some of the most hotly contested bidding was for custom 1950s-era cars and trucks, while 1980s cars keep trending higher. Of course, charity is such a critical part of our auctions, and we’re honored to provide the platform for the incredible accomplishment of raising nearly $102 million for charity to date. The charity cars this year were among the most spectacular ever, and even more important are the great causes they benefit.”

Also among the 10 charity vehicles that crossed the Scottsdale block was the first production 2019 Corvette ZR1 (Lot # 3009) that sold for $925,000. Carolyn and Craig Jackson’s Corvette 35th Anniversary brought in $350,000 (Lot #3008), and film star Chad McQueen was onstage as the VIN 001 2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt hammered for $300,000 (Lot #3006).

Among the world records believed to be set were:
• 1951 Cadillac Custom Coupe (Lot #1422) – $150,700
• 1951 Chevrolet Styleline Deluxe Convertible (Lot #1351) – $126,500
• 1958 Chevrolet 3100 Custom Pickup (Lot #1358) – $198,000
• 1961 Ford F-100 Custom Pickup (Lot #1308.1) – $165,000
• 1958 Chevrolet Corvette Custom Convertible (Lot #1348) – $440,000
• 2018 Dodge Demon (Lot #1317) – $159,500

The $2.55 million charity sale of a 2017 Ford GT (Lot #3010) on Super Saturday pushed Barrett-Jackson over the $100 million mark in total money raised for charity.

“Charitable giving has been a pillar of Barrett-Jackson going all the way back to 1966 with the first car show for charity, before we founded the auction company in 1971, and reaching nearly $102 million is an incredible milestone,” said Craig Jackson. “We are dedicated to continue that tradition through our yearlong charity initiative, Driven Hearts, to benefit the American Heart Association. We were excited to be joined on the block by Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association, for the sale of our personal Corvette, which raised an astounding $350,000 for this important cause. Then the winning bidder donated the car back to be resold at one of our future auctions. It was a great way to kick off Driven Hearts, which will continue to be at the core of every Barrett-Jackson event this year.”

Demand for automobilia was at an all-time high that culminated with a full-size transportation-themed carousel (Lot #9499) selling on Saturday morning for $557,750 to a raucous ovation from the audience inside the auction arena. The top five automobilia sales from the 2018 Scottsdale Auction included:

1. Full-size transportation-themed carousel (Lot #9499) – $557,750
2. Circa 1939 Husky Gasoline porcelain service station sign (Lot #8901) – $149,500
3. 1950s Esso Aviation porcelain with neon restored airport hangar sign (Lot #9394) – $63,250
4. 1950s Donald Duck neon porcelain parking lot entrance sign from Disneyland (Lot #9492) – $48,300
5. 1950s Dog-N-Suds Drive-In single-sided neon porcelain sign (Lot #9498.2) – $41,400

Building off the remarkable 2018 Scottsdale Auction, the 16th Annual Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Auction will run four days, April 12-15, 2018, at the South Florida Fairgrounds. Businessman John Staluppi, who purchased the 2018 Corvette Carbon 65 Edition for charity, will sell his prized 140-plus car collection from the Cars of Dreams Museum at the event. Consignments are now being accepted; for information on becoming a bidder, follow the link to www.barrett-jackson.com/bid. Information on available packages and how to be a part of this world-class lifestyle event is available here.