Car auction aficionados flocked to the Barrett-Jackson event in Arizona for a nine-day auction that concluded on Sunday, Jan. 18. The 2015 auction ended with sales reaching $130 million where more than 1,600 unaudited vehicles were involved.
In the past 15 years ago, most of the featured cars in the Barrett-Jackson auction event consisted exclusively of grand classic models from the 1930s. Now, cars from the 1980s and 1990s have become the featured models in the Arizona-based auction.
The recently concluded Barrett-Jackson featured cars from the renowned Salon Collection and Ron Pratte Collection. It also included a wide range of European classics, American muscle, exotic sports cars and unique one-of-a-kind customized models.
"This year's Scottsdale auction was on a scale unlike anything in our 44-year history," said chairman and CEO Craig Jackson of Barrett-Jackson. "Our week kicked off with a gala and continued to build excitement with our largest vehicle consignment in history, including the sale of the Ron Pratte Collection on Tuesday. Everyone who attended this year's Scottsdale auction was a part of automotive history."
A 1950 GM Futurliner led a lineup of 10 cars that were able to raise $8,735,000 for the benefit of local and national charities. The Futurliner alone raised $4,650,000.
The 10 top-selling cars in the Barrett-Jackson auction showcased:
1. Shelby Cobra Super Snake of 1966 for $5.1 million
2. GM Futurliner Tour Bus of 1950 for $4 million
3. Pontiac Bonneville Special Motorama Concept Car of 1954 for $3.3 million
4. Talbot-Lago Grand Sport Franay of 1949 for $1.65 million
5. Shelby Cobra Roadster of 1965 for $1.595 million
6. Mercedes-Benz Gullwing of 1955 for $1.1 million
7. Mercedes-Benz Cabriolet of 1937 for $1.045m
8. Delahaye Street Rod of 1936 for $671,000
9. Ferrari F40 of 1991 for $643,500
10. Mercedes-Benz Cabriolet of 1953 for $643,500
The record-breaking auction was also attended by popular celebrities from various parts of the globe. These include Steven Seagal, Michael Anthony, Reggie Jackson, Alice Cooper, Thompson Square, Rodney Atkins, CeeLo Green, Tim Allen, Sharon Stone, Bubba Watson and Jeff Gordon.
The Barrett-Jackson auction also showcased the event's newly formed relationship with Velocity and Discovery Channel whose ratings enjoyed a spike in its entire auction coverage. Moreover, the auction, for the first time, had successfully put together three big names in the automotive making industry namely Dodge, GM and Ford Motor Company.
"It's been an absolute pleasure working with Ron and building his collection over the years," said Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson. "It's been as equally rewarding to work with him to prepare for this once-in-a-lifetime sale of his vehicles. Ron took great pride in the cars and automobilia. He painstakingly restored many of the vehicles, making them truly outstanding collectibles. It's wonderful to see ownership of some amazing vehicles pass along to new collectors."
