As we enter the third year of a brutal pandemic, many in-person events have still not returned. Car auctions are no exception, but 2022 promises to be a good year for well-heeled collectors and enthusiasts alike. Barrett-Jackson, one of the most recognizable names in the automotive world, is counting on strong demand from a car buyer tired of being hyped up on the inside to fuel its 50th anniversary auction taking place this week in Scottsdale, Arizona.
The event runs from last Saturday 22nd January to Sunday 30th January. The anniversary celebrations will include special video memories and other throwback segments throughout the event. In addition, car manufacturers and other sponsors will be there with vehicle experiences, product demonstrations, amusement rides and live music. Celebrities will be on hand to auction vehicles for charity and some events will feature automotive personalities such as Wayne Carini and Ken Lingenfelter.
Barrett-Jackson was founded in 1971 and is headquartered in Scottsdale. Company CEO Craig Jackson was instrumental in establishing the auction events we see today, with heavy television exposure and a variety of notable cars including first production units being auctioned off for charity. Jackson has been involved with the company his father co-founded since he was 12 when he helped manage the cars and has worked his way through almost every job the company had to offer. His background in computer science helped him code the early Barrett Jackson websites and he was able to bring the company online in 1994 – well ahead of the competition. After his brother’s death in 1995, Jackson took over as CEO.
The television auctions we all know and love today began just a year after Jackson took over the company when he signed with cable channel Speedvision in 1996 to televise the auctions. Coverage has been adopted by various networks over the years. The 2022 event runs on A+E Networks, which includes History Channel, FYI and others.
Car fans are happily returning to the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction after the big event was canceled last year due to the pandemic.
Barrett Jackson
Although 2022 is technically Barrett-Jackson’s 51st anniversary, the pandemic has dampened celebrations in 2021. The move to celebrate this year comes with a number of risks, but all indications are that Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale auction will be a cautious return to form for splashy automotive events. According to Jackson, his team worked with the city and venues to develop an improved air and filtration system and planned an event with a layout that is primarily safe but also provides an engaging experience for attendees.
As has been the case for decades, the auction will have a strong focus on charities and auctions with proceeds benefiting community organisations. This year, stars like Pitbull and Bret Michaels will auction off their personal cars for charity. Ford Motor Company CEO Jim Farley will be in attendance, and a special De Tomaso Pantera will be crossing the block in support of the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix.
Jackson is cautiously looking forward to 2022, although it’s important to note that Barrett-Jackson isn’t waiting for the action to come. Last year, the company bought Collector Car Network, which brought ClassicCars.com, AutoHunter.com, Journal.ClassicCars.com, and The Future Collector Car Show under the Barrett-Jackson umbrella. The deal not only expands the company’s presence in other vehicle sale and auction formats, but gives Jackson and his team an effective weapon to compete against the rise of popular online auction sites like Cars & Bids and Bring a Trailer.
Restomods and blue-chip cars are likely to remain big sales drivers for Barrett-Jackson, although many supercars and contemporary models are attracting bidders’ interest. Jackson credits the pandemic with motivating people to get out and enjoy life, which combined with the urgency created by a volatile used and collector car market, resulted in strong auction results even with smaller crowds and fewer cars in attendance has.
Scottsdale 2022 could be a dollar record breaker for Barrett-Jackson. Car numbers and interest from sponsors, bidders and OEMs suggest this year could be one of the company’s best. Jackson notes that January’s Detroit Auto Show move has given its auctions a chance to shine as a high-profile automotive event, with new vehicle reveals and other activities taking place throughout the week.
Restomods and blue-chip cars are likely to remain big sales drivers for Barrett-Jackson, although many supercars and contemporary models are attracting bidders’ interest.
Barrett Jackson
The focus may be on an anniversary event, but Jackson knows better than anyone that people tune into the cars above all else. To that end, the Scottsdale auction will be one of Barrett-Jackson’s busiest to date, with over 1850 cars crossing the block, all with no reserve. Jackson notes the 2022 auction will be televised as usual, but says the planned 38 hours of live coverage is unprecedented. The History Channel will cover the event and the most anticipated cars will be auctioned off in prime time.
The cars
Of all the cars participating in the auctions this week, some stand out above the rest because of their rarity and attractiveness. Although all of the cars will be auctioned with no reserve, the three cars listed here should easily attract large dollar bids.
2014 McLaren P1
McLaren only built 375 units of the world’s first hybrid supercar, all of which sold out shortly after its launch. The car features a 3.8-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 paired with an electric motor that produces a combined 903 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque. This 2334 mile specimen is painted McLaren F1 Racing Chrome and has desirable options like ceramic brakes and a Meridian sound system.
2015 Porsche 918
The 918 is an absolute masterpiece of a car and with only 918 units produced, it is also one of the rarest vehicles in the world. The screaming 4.6-liter naturally aspirated V8 works in tandem with two electric motors to produce a total of 887 horsepower and 944 lb-ft of torque. This one has only 377 miles and features a gorgeous white-over-red color scheme.
2020 Ford GT Carbon Series
Ford has created an exclusive and highly desirable supercar that easily rivals Europe’s wildest cars. The GT’s starting price of $500,000 is staggering, but its 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 is just as impressive. With 660 horsepower and 550 lb-ft of torque, the engine can propel the car from a standstill to 60 mph in about three seconds and on to a top speed of about 215 mph. This one features the Carbon Series package, which shaves around 40 pounds off the already lean supercar.
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