VIEW FROM THE BLOCK: Craig Jackson looks back at the successful Scottsdale Auction and ahead to Las Vegas
June 1, 2021
Posted by Barrett-Jackson
Barrett-Jackson CEO Craig Jackson
WITH CRAIG JACKSON AT THE HELM, THE COMPANY IS CELEBRATING 50 SUCCESSFUL YEARS IN THE COLLECTOR CAR HOBBY. CRAIG IS ALSO AN AVID CAR COLLECTOR, AWARD-WINNING RESTORER AND RACING ENTHUSIAST.
There’s one word I’d use to describe our 2021 Scottsdale Auction: incredible. After rescheduling our flagship event from January due to an anticipated spike in COVID-19 cases after the holidays (in hindsight, a great decision), we were hopeful that by March things would have turned around significantly enough to bring our customers and fans an event that would be as close to a traditional Barrett-Jackson experience as possible. The end result exceeded all expectations, showing the collector car hobby is alive and well – and that people are happy to comply with a few safety protocols in order to get back to some sense of normalcy.
Among the stars of the 2021 Scottsdale Auction in March was the Carroll Shelby’s one-and-only 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake, which sold for $5.5 million.
I am humbled by and extremely grateful for the outpouring of support from everyone involved. City and state officials worked diligently with us to help ensure a safe and successful event. Our operations team labored around the clock for weeks to create a health-conscious site layout. Our consignors brought some spectacular cars to the table – including a number of great collections. America’s top automakers and some generous consignors also helped assemble a history-making lineup of “cars for a cause.” Eight VIN 001 and first-production vehicles brought in a total of $5.8 million for various worthy organizations, bringing our total raised for charity to date to more than $133 million.
Our bidders turned out in great numbers, both in-person and online. We were encouraged to see many of our fans coming through the front gates of the event, where they were treated to – among many other attractions – fantastic displays full of gleaming collector cars. Thanks to our friends at Adam’s Polishes, those vehicles were kept shining day and night in anticipation of their moment in the spotlight.
The brand-new multi-million dollar West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center – Barrett-Jackson’s new location
Now we are eager to carry that same momentum into Las Vegas.
MGM and Mandalay Bay have been great partners over the years, and we considered their arena and convention center our home away from home. A dozen amazing auctions were held there, and many priceless memories were made.
More than a decade ago, however, when Las Vegas Events approached us to hold an auction in the city, talk of the addition to the Las Vegas Convention Center was always front and center. With the completion of construction on the all-new West Hall, 2021 became the year to make the move. We’re excited to be the first event open to the general public in this multi-million-dollar state-of-the-art facility (read more about this new location HERE).
An impressive video screen is the focal point of the West Hall’s lobby.
We will be closer to the heart of the action on the Strip in our new location. We also wanted to simplify the guest experience in Vegas by making it easy for everybody to stay at their favorite place. We feel this new location will do just that, with a large variety of hotels and resorts (including the fabulous Wynn, and the incredible Resort World opening soon right across from the West Hall) within walking distance, or within easy reach via monorail, ride share and eventually the Tesla tunnel system.
Auction attendees will feel comfortable at the new West Hall, as the layout will be very similar to what it has been at our past Las Vegas Auctions, with everything in one (very) big room. We’ll be setting up Jumbotrons throughout the space, so you’ll get the whole experience no matter where you are: you’ll hear it and be part of it. Our Barrett-Jackson Performance Track featuring thrill rides and hot laps will be in full swing just outside the auction arena, with everything else indoors under one roof.
We’ll of course be following whatever state and local health and safety protocols are in place at the time, but as our Scottsdale Auction illustrated – that won’t deter from what promises to be another fantastic Barrett-Jackson experience, and I’m excited to share it with you all in June!