Barrett-Jackson Auction Company announced that its 41st annual Arizona auction generated more than $92 million in sales and attracted a record 270,000 attendees at the WestWorld of Scottsdale from January 15 to 22.
The auction, which showcases and sells rare, high-end collectable vehicles, broke several world records last Saturday. It also experienced a 32 percent improvement in sales and a 16 percent improvement in attendance compared to the 2011 auction.
“The excitement over the high-end classics in the 5000 series and the Salon Offering Collection this year is beyond words,” said Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson, in a press release.
“I’m humbled to say that we had a record number of cars cross the block and were able to revisit our roots by offering some of the purest classics and concepts on the market with extraordinary results,” he added.
The Salon Offering Collection was composed of 31 highly sought-over vehicles that generated the highest bids. The auction’s top selling vehicle was a 1948 Tucker Torpedo, one of only 51 ever made, which sold for $2.915 million — a world record sale for a Tucker.
Another notable sale was a 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing with only 4,159 original miles, which is the lowest mileage model known to exist. The sale also broke the world record for the highest-selling price for a steel-bodied 300SL Gullwing model.
The auction gave back to local and national charities as well. $5.8 million was raised through the sale of 22 vehicles and donations to the Barrett-Jackson-sponsored ChildHelp Charity that helps victims of child abuse and neglect.
The action also experienced a large growth in newcomers. New-registered bidders made up more than 50 percent of the total bidders, and almost half of the consigners were also new. The first-ever, DIY lifestyle exhibit made more information available to newcomers with its featured how-to on getting your car on the auction block.
