BARRETT-JACKSON PALM BEACH SHIFTS INTO HIGH GEAR: Opening Night Gala and First Day of Auction Draw Strong Attendance
April 6, 2017
Posted by Barrett-Jackson
The Opening Night Gala kicked off the 15th Annual Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Auction in style.
The 15th Annual Palm Beach Auction shifted into high gear last night with an Opening Night Gala that was every bit of glitz and glamour expected at Florida’s premier automotive lifestyle event. Surrounded by exotic cars and TV stars ‒ including comedian, film and TV personality Adam Ferrara – the Who’s Who of the East Coast automotive scene got together to enjoy gourmet cuisine and rock the night away with the live band Soul Survivor.
Craig Jackson, Adam Ferrara, Steve Davis and Gary Bennett.
Chairman and CEO Craig Jackson, along with President Steve Davis and Vice President of Consignment Gary Bennett, revved up a gathering filled with hundreds of consignors, VIP guests and bidders. During his opening remarks, Jackson thanked the guests for attending this 15th annual event, and for the contributions they make towards creating a family-like atmosphere at every Barrett-Jackson auction.
Gates officially opened today at 8 a.m. to a crowd eager for a full day of excitement at Barrett-Jackson. With activities designed for the entire family, guests enjoyed edge-of-your-seat rides in the latest Ford, Dodge and Chevrolet vehicles, endless exhibitor booths and exhibits, free symposiums about the collector car hobby, and of course exciting action in the auction arena.
Automotive memorabilia took center stage at 9 a.m., with guests enjoying an endless docket of authentic Automobilia pieces selling at No Reserve, including vintage gas pumps, pedal cars and neon signs. Top sellers included a trio of restored service station gas pumps from the 1940s and ’50s, a pristine 1930s Coca-Cola ice chest and a custom-built Coca-Cola soda fountain double-sided sign.
Next in line to hear the gavel fall were more than 150 collector cars. Top sellers included a diverse selection of muscle cars, convertibles, customs – and a 1967 Austin-Healey 3000 Mark III BJ8 (Lot #107). Among the most memorable sales of the day was the first of five charity cars of the auction – a 1969 International Travelall (Lot #3000) that sold for $50,000, 100 percent of which benefits the Boy Scouts of America.
Be sure to check out our videos and gallery below of the Opening Night Gala and today’s highlights!
A Lamborghini Countach was among the auction cars gracing the stage at the Opening Night Gala.
One Gala guest even brought his rainstick and joined in the fun onstage.
Ride ‘N Drives and Thrill Rides got going early and offered heart-stopping excitement throughout the day.
Colorful automobilia displayed in the auction arena.
Kiddy rides always attract a lot of attention during the Automobilia Auction.
Capturing a memory in the auction arena.
Beautifully restored gas pumps were among the top-selling automobilia pieces of the day.
Lot #5791, a custom-built Coca-Cola soda fountain double-sided sign, was among the day’s top sellers at the Automobilia Auction.
Jeff Allen, Adam Ferrara and Ethan D during the Skidmarks Show live podcast at the Shell Pennzoil Pioneering Performance Stage.
Alan Taylor (right) poses a question to Barrett-Jackson Vice President of Consignment Gary Bennett during a “Behind the Hobby” collector car symposium this morning.
Corvette expert Roy Sinor, Ken Lingenfelter of Lingenfelter Engineering and Barrett-Jackson Showroom Manager Jeff Catlin at a symposium this morning.
LOT #107 – 1967 AUSTIN-HEALEY 300 MARK III BJ8 CONVERTIBLE
LOT #117 – 1967 CHEVROLET CAMARO CUSTOM CONVERTIBLE
LOT #111 – 2001 PANOZ ESPERANTE CONVERTIBLE
LOT #36 – 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ SL600 CONVERTIBLE
LOT #59 – 1988 MERCEDES-BENZ 560SL
LOT #66 – 1966 CHEVROLET NOVA
LOT #75 – 1968 CHEVROLET C-10 CUSTOM PICKUP
LOT #80 – 1979 PONTIAC TRANS AM
LOT #99 – 1969 CHEVROLET CHEVELLE
LOT #3000 – a 1969 International Travelall – was the first charity car of the auction, hammering at $50,000 for the Boy Scouts of America.
