Barrett-Jackson hosted its 45th anniversary car auction and celebrated in true style. This 2016 monumental car auction was held January 23-31 at WestWorld of Scottsdale. A total of 1,469 vehicles sold for over $102 million and over 1,400 automobilia pieces (auto-related memorabilia, a recent addition to the auction) sold for a near $3 million. Some of the main highlights of this year’s event included the Salon Collection, movie and celebrity cars, collector car symposium, networking parties, and last but not least, the 2017 Acura NSX VIN 001.
Some of the top tier celebrity cars on the block included the original 1977 Smokey and the Bandit promo car, a Pontiac Trans Am, that was introduced by Smokey himself Burt Reynolds and sold for $550,000. Director Michael Bay was also on hand with promo videos to help sell Transformers stars Optimus Prime, a 1992 Peterbilt 379 that went for $121,000, and Bumblebee, a 1967 Chevrolet Camaro SS that went for $167,200.
Some may say that the true stars in this auction were in the Barrett-Jackson Salon Collection. The 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder Weissach hit a new auction record when it sold for $1,760,000. However, the top sale of the auction went to a trio of rare VIN #001 Corvettes that sold for $1,815,000. Second to the trios, a 1939 Mercedes-Benz 540k with a “Cabriolet A” Body Conversion sold for a mere $1,485,000.
Besides the well-known luxury around this event, a group of cars raised over three million for non-profit organizations:
- 2017 Acura NSX sold for $1.2 million – proceeds to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
- 2016 Ford Focus RS sold for $550,000 – proceeds to Kettering University
- 2016 Chevrolet COPO Camaro sold for $500,000 – proceeds to Alex Xydias Center for Automotive Arts
- The Mcgee tribute 1932 Ford Hi-Boy sold for $105,000 – proceeds to United Way Worldwide
- Jay Leno’s 2000 Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson edition truck sold for $200,000 – proceeds to National Multiple Sclerosis Society Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation and Camp Southern Ground
One hundred percent of each of these car auction proceeds will go to the charities associated with the vehicle.
The event was not without celebrity fanfare and entertainment either. One of car auction’s biggest non-vehicle related surprises was the Zac Brown Band performing an amazing acoustic set at the Opening Night Gala. Ted Nugent, Steven Seagal, Frankie Muniz, Bubba Watson, Jeff Gordon, Paul Konerko and Shane Doan were just a few of the celebs spotted around the auction floor, in addition to several professional athletes from the NHL, MLB, and PGA.
All in all, the 2016 Barrett-Jackson car auction was a complete and roaring success. From its star-studded parties to celebrity vehicles and car collections, the bar has been set high for next year’s Barrett-Jackson car auction in Scottsdale.
This is just one of the popular events around Scottsdale golf homes this time of year. The Waste Management Phoenix Open, spring training and multiple festivals keep residents and tourists busy all spring! It’s a great time of year to live in a Scottsdale golf community.
Don Matheson
Realtor | Founder
The Matheson Team – RE/MAX Fine Properties
21000 N. Pima Rd., #100, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
480-405-4228
don@azgolfhomes.com
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