The first thing we noticed about this world famous automotive auction is the vastness of the event acreage; nearly a million square feet of the auction site is under cover. Unfortunately, the second thing you are introduced to is the rudeness of the show staff. It started before we even step onto the
Barrett-Jackson area.
We were greeted by the most unprofessional security personnel ever. They were overworked and hassled and not shy about expressing their frustration in words and actions. I was ordered to separate from my husband because Paul had a backpack and I did not have a bag. The gentleman overseeing the procedure hurried back and forth making disingenuous statements like, “I am only saying this because this is what I am told to say.” He really did not make much sense. The staff and exhibitors were not much better inside.
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Burt Reynolds and McLaughlin Museum presented this 1977 Universal Studios
Promo Bandit Trans Am from the movie "Smokey and the Bandit |
Not to make their excuses for them; however, we picked a bad day to attend. Saturday was Cox Charities Family Value Day and children, twelve and under, were granted free access. There was also a two-for-one entry with your current Cox bill promotion. The crowds were enormous.
All that being said, the Barrett-Jackson Auction is definitely worth the price of admission ($75 for the day). We walked over four miles. Everywhere we looked was adorned by beautiful classic cars. It was hard to remember not to touch them.
There was also tons of automobilia (automotive-related memorabilia) to tempt your wallet. Nonetheless, as if over 1,500 cars and 1,400 automobilia items on display was not enough, there were also more than 200 non-automotive vendors and interactive exhibits.
It appear to me that it was Barrett-Jackson’s attempt to make the show more wife/girlfriend friendly. You could purchase high-end alligator boots, deer antler wine stoppers, a hot tub, jewelry, women’s clothing, fishing trip, and/or sign up for Direct Television. However, we do not recommend stopping at the later because that Direct TV salesman was pretty pushy.
There was also wide variety of food and adult beverage stations from which to choose your nourishment. I opted for vegan sobe noodles (noodles made from buckwheat flour) that were stir fried perfectly and filled with vegetables. Paul enjoyed a strawberry banana smoothie for lunch.
Of course I had to try a new whiskey. After an informative
Jack Daniels tour, I bought a shot of Single Barrel Select. The amber liquid was very strong with a weighty vanilla accent. While it burned a bit on the way down, I liked it.
On to the auction; I had my eye on Steve McQueen's 1952 Chevrolet Pickup Camper. The 3800 pickup was purchased by McQueen from a migrant farmer he passed on the side of the road in 1979. The Forest Green, one-ton features a 235 cu in Loadmaster six-cylinder engine, four-speed manual transmission and a custom aluminum “Dust Tite” camper in the bed. A certificate of authenticity from McQueen’s estate is also included. I was surprised when it sold for a mere $55,000!!!
However the highlight of my Barret-Jackson experience was the opportunity to chat with the legendary Bob Bondurant. While recuperating from a serious racing injury, Bondurant drafted an idea for a high performance driving school borrowing from the experiences he had while training James Garner for Grand Prix. The man turned his lemons into an empire!!! The
Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving opened in 1968 at Orange County International Raceway. It is still going strong in Chandler, Arizona.
My son Moses is the manufacturer of the
Formula Mazda racecar. The Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving uses these cars in their Master’s Race Series. Yup, I am a proud mama.
Overall, I would rate our experience at the Scottsdale, Arizona Barrett-Jackson an eight out of ten. The cons (large crowds, rude staff, and carnival atmosphere) were dimmed by the pros (awesome cars, large food selection, plenty of restrooms, ample seating areas to rest).
I cannot wait to compare the Scottsdale auction to the next one to be held in Palmdale, Florida this April.
Established in 1971 and headquartered in Scottsdale, AZ, Barrett-Jackson enjoys a unique reputation for its ability to value, market and consult in the classic car market to consistently achieve above-industry prices. The company’s name is synonymous with a luxury lifestyle and high-end classic and collector automobiles.
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