What began as a simple meeting between two car buffs in 1960 has emerged over some 47 years into one of the world's most prestigious and anticipated collector car auctions and expositions.
It began in Scottsdale, Arizona-a Wild-West town that had yet to spread its wings and create its own identity. The two participants were Russ Jackson and Tom Barrett, drawn together by a car advertised for sale. It seems Mr. Barrett was selling his 1933 Cadillac V-16 Town Car, and it appears Mr. Jackson was interested. "Appears" may be the operative word, as a deal was never struck. However, the beginning of a lifelong friendship and partnership was firmly cemented between the two gentlemen.
The initial enterprise was to set the tone for what would become the Barrett-Jackson legacy. It was in 1967 that Barrett and Jackson presented a car show they called, with the appropriate flair, "Fiesta del los Auto Elegance." The event was a fund-raiser for local charities, including the Scottsdale Library.
In 1971, the two combined their talents to present the first classic car auction, featuring classics from their individual collections. Barrett's Mercedes 770 Phaeton chiseled industry headlines, selling for $153,000 and grabbing the attention of collectors worldwide. The sale and the inaugural event thrust the Barrett-Jackson name into international prominence.
The 1980's witnessed the real emergence of the collector car industry, as record prices and record participation were the rule. However, the Barrett-Jackson partnership was not content to ride the wave, as the two men continued to set the standard: Barrett brought the very best and rarest automobiles to the event and earned the reputation as the "Grandfather of the Collector Car Industry," while Jackson expertly collected and restored cars for show. It was during this time, too, that the elder Jackson brought his sons Brian and Craig onto the team, and wife Nellie ran the day-to-day operations of the thriving auction company.
Change has continued to play a role in the internationally acclaimed event. Russ Jackson passed away in 1993, Brian Jackson succumbed to cancer in 1995, and Tom Barrett who retired in 1997 and passed away in April, 2004. Craig Jackson, who had worked actively on a daily basis throughout the year and on-site at the event, took over the reins and led Barrett-Jackson to even greater successes with an aggressive plan of growth, expansion and hi-tech innovations. The auction began airing live on Speedvision in 1997. Internet live bidding was also introduced that same year. A $17 million sale, 65% sales success ratio and over 100,000 spectators marked the 1998 event, as did a cyber-simulcast on the Internet, a bidder liaison service and the introduction of an international-designer fashion show. The 1999 affair featured some $22 million in sales, nearly 800 cars, a +77% sales ratio and 125,000 attendees. In 2007 we had over 1,250 cars with a staggering earning nearly $112 million in sales and over 250,000 attendees.
In 2003, Barrett-Jackson took their famous Collector Car Event across the country Palm Beach, Florida where they introduced a second annual auction. The 2007 Florida event boasted over $32 million in sales, 588 cars and 1,443 bidders.
As the Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Auction races into the future, history and tradition continue to define its role with the collector car industry. As bright and shining as its past, the future of this great event-created out of the common interests of two men-is surely just as sparkling.