A RECORD-SETTING CELEBRATION: Barrett-Jackson’s 45th Anniversary Auction Closes Strong
January 31, 2016
Posted by Barrett-Jackson
350,000 people passed through the gates of the nearly 1-million-square-foot superstructure during the 45th Anniversary Celebration.
Unlikely partners they may be, but a pristine white 2015 Porsche 918 and a silver ’79 Trans Am have one thing in common: they broke records at Barrett-Jackson’s just-concluded 45th Anniversary Auction in Scottsdale.
This stunning [Porsche 918 Spyder Weissach Edition](http://918 Spyder Weissach Edition – $1,760,000) sold for $1,760,000 – a new record.
The 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder Weissach Edition (Lot #1392) that went across the Barrett-Jackson block Saturday evening is an extremely rare, one-owner car and is in flawless original condition. The bidding on this beauty escalated quickly, and the crowd cheered as the hammer came down on the winning bid of $1.6 million ‒ $1.76 million with buyer premium, a record at auction. With only 595 original miles, it is the lowest-mileage model sold in Scottsdale and is likely to be a game-changer for the 918 market. An interesting side-note to this sale is that a first-time bidder bought the car, evidence that Barrett-Jackson’s efforts to continually bring new enthusiasts into the collector car hobby is on point.
The automotive media were buzzing about Barrett-Jackson even earlier in the week, when – as Yahoo Autos reported – “screaming chickens laid golden eggs.” There were a total of 15 Pontiac Firebird Trans Ams on the docket, most of which were from the 1970s, selling for impressive numbers. But it was a silver 1979 Trans Am 10th Anniversary Edition (Lot #763.1) with only 8 miles on the odometer that rocked the hobby when it sold for $187,000, shattering previous auction records for a 10th Anniversary Edition.
Burt Reynolds, star of “Smokey and the Bandit,” rode onto the auction block in the famous 1977 Trans Am (Lot #7004), which sold for $550,000, a new world record.
If that’s not enough, one other sale set the all-time record for Trans Ams. Lot #7004, which was used as the official car to promote the 1977 hit movie “Smokey and the Bandit,” shook the arena when it sold for $550,000. The capacity crowd went wild as the car rolled onto the block and the movie’s star Burt Reynolds emerged, joking with the crowd before getting the bidding rolling.
In keeping with Barrett-Jackson’s long tradition of philanthropy, 11 vehicles were auctioned throughout the week for charitable causes, raising a total of $3,406,000 – 100 percent of which went directly to the worthy organizations. Notable among these was the 2017 Acura NSX VIN #001 (Lot #3007), which went for an impressive $1.2 million to benefit the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation and Zac Brown’s Camp Southern Ground. The NSX auction was the highest charity sale of a VIN #001 manufacturer car in Barrett-Jackson history.
When the final gavel fell, a total of 1,469 collector cars crossed the blocks for more than $102 million, and over 1,400 pieces of automobilia were sold for nearly $3 million – bringing total sales for the 45th Anniversary Auction to more than $105 million.
As always, many celebrities stopped by to enjoy some time at the auction, including musicians Zac Brown Band (who performed at the 45th Anniversary Gala) and Ted Nugent, director Michael Bay (on hand to help auction Transformers vehicles Optimus Prime and Bumblebee), comedian Jay Leno, actor Frankie Muniz, many professional athletes and notable names in the racing world, including Jeff Gordon, Joey Logano, Brad Keselowski and Don Prudhomme.
Enjoy this gallery of the top-selling cars from the 45th Anniversary Auction, other vehicle sales of note and memorable moments from the event.
Lots #1351, #1352, #1353 – the famed “Serial One” Corvettes – sold as a trio for $1,815,000.
Lot #1392, a 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder Weissach, sold for $1,760,000 – a new auction record.
Lot #1376 – 1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K with “Cabriolet A” Body Conversion – $1,485,000
Lot #1396 – 1965 Shelby 289 Cobra Roadster CSX2495 – $797,500
Lot #1383 – 1947 Talbot-Lago T-26 Worblaufen Cabriolet – $715,000
Lot #1369 – 1969 Chevrolet Corvette L88 Convertible – $577,500
Lot #1378 – 1939 Talbot-Lago T-15 Cabriolet – $550,000
Lot #7004 – 1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am “Smokey and the Bandit” Promo Car – $550,000
Lot #1359 – 1953 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible #300 – #533,500
Lot #1370 – 2006 Ford GT Heritage Edition – $522,500
Two Barrett-Jackson Cup winners and two Top 25 finalists crossed the block in Scottsdale! Stay tuned for news about the 2017 Barrett-Jackson Cup Competition.
Lot #1362 was the 2014 Barrett-Jackson Cup winner, a 1957 Chevrolet Custom Truck known as “QuikSilver” that sold for $214,500.
Lot #1362.1 was the 2015 winner of the Barrett-Jackson Cup – a 1962 Chevrolet Bel Air Custom Bubble Top that sold for $253,000.
This 1970 Chevrolet Nova Custom Twin Supercharged car (Lot #1363) was a 2015 Barrett-Jackson Cup Top 25 finalist that sold for $220,000.
Another 2015 Barrett-Jackson Cup Top 25 finalist was this 1955 Chevrolet 210 Custom Sedan (Lot #1295), which sold for $110,000.
Lot #763.1, a 1979 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, sold for a record-breaking $187,000.
Lot #1325.1 – 1992 Peterbilt 379 “Transformers Optimus Prime” Stunt Truck
Lot #1325.2 – 1967 Chevrolet Camaro SS “Transformers Bumblebee” – $167,200
IHRA and NHRA legend Doug Herbert’s 2008 Top Fuel Dragster (Lot #3000) sold for $100,000, with 100% of the hammer price benefiting the B.R.A.K.E.S. Foundation, as Barrett-Jackson waives all fees for charity cars. The design and graphics of the car are dedicated to Herbert’s sons Jon and James, who lost their lives in a tragic 2008 car crash. Put On The B.R.A.K.E.S. (Be Responsible And Keep Everyone Safe) trains and educates teenage drivers and their parents about the importance of safe and responsible driving.
Childhelp through SEMA Cares benefitted from the sale of Lot #3001, a 2015 Jeep Wrangler Custom SUV , which sold for $81,000, 100% of which went to the charity. Among those onstage to encourage bidding were Childhelp founders Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson, Maricopa County attorney Bill Montgomery, Arizona Diamondbacks third base coach Matt Williams and Miss United Nations Tes Scanlon.
Brad Keseloski’s 2012 Dodge Charger NASCAR race car (Lot #3002) hammered at $150,000 (with an additional donation of $10,000 from the Damon family) to benefit Paralyzed Veterans of America.
A 2015 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 (Lot #3003) brought in $75,000 for the Barrett-Jackson Cancer Research Fund at T-Gen in memory of Russ and Brian Jackson.
A very patriotic 2015 Chevrolet Colorado Military Tribute truck (Lot #3004) donated by Chevrolet raised $125,000 for the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
The Courtney Force-designed 2016 Chevrolet COPO Camaro VIN #001 (Lot #3005) hammered at $300,000, all to benefit the United Way.
Going to a good cause was this 2006 Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson Edition Pickup (Lot #3006) owned by comedian Jay Leno, who drove it up on the block with Mark Fields, President and CEO of Ford Motor Company, riding shotgun. The hammer came down on $200,000 – all of which will go to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
The much-anticipated VIN #001 2017 Acura NSX (Lot #3007) brought in $1.2 million from NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick. 100 percent of the hammer price will benefit the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation and Camp Southern Ground.
This 2016 Chevrolet COPO Camaro, VIN #001 (Lot #3008), was sold for $500,000 to benefit Kettering University.
A 2016 Ford Focus RS (Lot #3009) hammered for $550,000 (with an additional $10,000 donated by Michelle Mauzy) for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
A 1932 Ford Hi-Boy (Lot #3010) that was a McGee tribute car brought $105,000 to the Alex Xydias Center for Automotive Arts.
Lot #9491.1, a historically significant 1950s Donald Duck neon porcelain parking lot entrance sign from Disneyland, was the top automobile seller, bringing in $60,840.
Pedal cars proved popular at this year’s Automobilia Auction.
When it comes to collecting automotive-related pieces of the past, vintage gas pumps always do well.
John Staluppi chats with Burt Reynolds after the auction of the “Smokey and the Bandit” promo car. The car will be going to Staluppi’s Cars of Dreams Museum in Florida.
Craig Jackson, Ted Nugent and Don Williams.
Gas Monkey Garage’s Richard Rawlings (left) and Dennis Collins (right) talk to Barrett-Jackson CEO Craig Jackson about his HEMI ‘Cuda.
Ford Motor Company President and CEO Mark Fields (left) with rally driver Ken Block and JDRF Board Member Michael White.
Craig Jackson, director Michael Bay and Steve Davis.
The Zac Brown Band performs at the Barrett-Jackson Gala.