The gavel came down on some high-priced metal at the 2024 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction, where over 120 vehicles rolled across the stage yesterday. Enthusiasts and collectors gathered to place their bids on a plethora of automotive history—ranging from a vintage 1928 Ford Model A custom coupe to a 2010 Porsche Panamera S, representing decades of car culture and innovation. The event kicked off with a bang as a 1930s Ford Automobiles neon porcelain sign fetched a staggering $33,350, as reported by Phoenix Business Journal.
As this high-octane event proceeds, a parade of glitzy cars continues to captivate attendees, culminating in the sale of stars—literally. The auction features vehicles previously owned by celebrities, including Kris Jenner's 1956 Ford Thunderbird and Sammy Hagar's 2015 Ferrari LaFerrari. Maintaining a tradition of silence regarding the presence of celebrities, Barrett-Jackson usually doesn't announce such details, but the star power is undeniable, as reported by the Phoenix Business Journal.
Not just a haven for well-heeled nostalgia buffs, the Barrett-Jackson auction is revving up for a new event this fall in Scottsdale. "For decades Barrett-Jackson has listened to its customers, expanding into the automotive lifestyle event that it is today by reflecting what our bidders and consignors appreciate the most," said Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson, in a statement obtained by the Phoenix Business Journal. Set for an inaugural run from Oct. 10 to Oct. 14, the event is expected to inject a fresh dose of excitement into the collector car scene.
But while the auction's bread and butter remain classic and collector cars, Barrett-Jackson's long-term vision involves ongoing collaboration with auto manufacturers and other industry players, keen to showcase their latest creations under the Scottsdale tents. "We are not just an auction. We're an automotive lifestyle event," Jackson told the Phoenix Business Journal, as he spoke of Barrett-Jackson's evolution and ongoing partnership with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and new partners.
Reflecting on a year since its majority share acquisition by IMG, a subsidiary of Endeavor, for $261.25 million, Barrett-Jackson seems unfazed by the corporate shift, operating much as it did before, albeit with the backing of a larger entity. "It took about a year to really start really integrating us and, but they're hands off to us and I like that aspect," Jackson remarked on the acquisition's progress—a savvy move potentially ushering in even more explosive growth in the high-octane world of collector car auctions.
