I went to my first Barrett-Jackson show this past weekend. So, this is a late post. Barrett- Jackson fancies itself the worlds greatest collector cars event! And boy did that name live up to its hype. I was awe struck at the cars, the sheer number of people and the event itself. According to the East Valley Tribune 1,163 cars were sold for $88 million over the week long event. This is supposedly $24 million less that last year, so it was a downer in sales, but not in attendance.
Overall I had a very pleasant experience. Even though Steve Belt had offered me a parking spot in his office, I parked in the make shift parking lot on the corner of Princess and Hayden (North Scottsdale) and took the 10-minute shuttle. I was there at 9am so the lines were not long and I didn’t wait for to bus or at the main gate. You could buy tickets at the main gate, but I already had mine (bought over the Internet), so I just walked right through.
The first section was pretty much just concept cars and promotions from Ford. Then followed a range of vendor booths. There were vendors representing a wide range of businesses from car supplies and classic collector paintings to real estate agents and wine distributors! So, it was like a mini mall of sorts. However, the people manning the booths were just fantastic people, friendly knowledgeable and excited to be there.
Once you pass through the vendor booths and the food court, then you arrive at the main event - the auction. I sat at the back with my friends (you need a bidder pass to sit in the main area) and just watched the cars go by and get bought. There is no reserve in this auction so you must sell at the highest bid.
I am by no means a car enthusiast, so I had no idea whether the cars were selling at the right price or not. However, I was impressed by the enthusiasm, the cars (they really looked beautiful) and the organization. After an hour or so I finally understood what the auctioneer guy was saying (Imgoingtobidat$25,000,$25,$25forsomethingthatsworth$27,5,doIheara$27,5…..).
Finally, I strolled over the the last section where all the classic cars were on display. I got quite an education but alas no matter how hard I tried I couldn’t figure out a way to buy one of these classics! Maybe one day once I start making $1million/year I”ll get a Bentley, but for now I’ll have to do with my Hyundai Elantra!
Here are some pictures I took:
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on Jan 25th, 2008 at 10:34 am
It’s very odd as a Brit reading some of the differences between here and the US.
I grumble at the price of, say, a new MacBook Air (which is literally different enough to make it cheaper for me to fly from the UK to NYC, stay overnight, and fly back than to buy in the UK.)
But classic cars - we’ve got loads of them over here, at it would appear much lower prices than the same cars would sell for in the States.
So I drive a 1990 Bentley Turbo R as the “daily driver”, and my wife has a Morgan Plus 8… and the two together cost less than a mid-range BMW would have done!
Mark in West Sussex, England
on Jan 25th, 2008 at 11:57 am
Mark,
I guess with the fall in the US dollar things are cheaer too. My friend whom I attended the show with help Europeans and Brits buy classic cars here in the US and ships them over there. He’s trying to help a Swede purchase a few dozen classic cars right now. It’s big business.
P.S. Your Bentley’s sound interesting!
on Jan 25th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
I went to this car show once with my grandfather who was an avid car buff. I find it amusing that your first pic is the pretty blonde girls!!
on Jan 25th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
Shailesh, I love going to this car show! Not a huge car enthusiast either but this is a great time! Great cars, great people watching.. Now, bring on the FBR Open!
on Jan 26th, 2008 at 9:05 am
Sounds like you had a fun trip to the auction. I still haven’t been, but who knows, maybe next year.
on Jan 26th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
Ginger,
Interesting observation. I figured I’d follow the car magazine model, lead with the pretty girls in front of a car!
Nick,
I was planning on going to the FBR Open but caught some of the flu so had to stay close to home.
on Jan 31st, 2008 at 9:31 pm
[...] there has been a lot of coverage of mega events like the SuperBowl, Barret-Jackson and The FBR Open. I, however, am very partial to history, art and tradition as you can tell by my [...]
on Mar 1st, 2008 at 5:49 pm
good evening
unfortunately i attended the palm springs auction. i would like to auction my 1976 Rolls Royce which was previously owned by “The Greatesy” Muhammad Ali. would you be so kind in sending me a information package and regristration. my foundation works with foster children.
thank you
Mr. Taylor