Special Event Coverage
Event Coverage: Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Auction
By text and photos by: Nicole Wheatcroft
May 10, 2005, 12:51

January 25 – 30, 2005

There isn’t anything else in the auto world that compares with Barrett-Jackson - The World’s Greatest Classic Car Auction. Held in usually-sunny Scottsdale, Arizona, the presence of so many washed, polished and gleaming cars proved too much of a temptation this year for the rain gods, and the skies poured for 3 out of the 5 days.

Wet or not, the 34th Annual Auction proved to be a powerful draw for car fans of all ages, who can wander through a broad spectrum of world class cars ranging from American Muscle, to concept cars, to classics, and European sports cars. I have been attending for years – however, this year, thanks to media credentials, I was up on stage, in the midst of the action as Barrett-Jackson’s biggest sales year ever unfolded around me.



This year’s event broke world record prices in every car category, with $61.68 million in sales, a 100% sales percentage, and 878 cars sold at no reserve and fought over by 4,286 bidders from all around the world. Despite the rain showers, 200,000 people came out for the event, which was broadcast 24 hours a day on Speed TV. The event was held at WestWorld, a nationally recognized center used for special events on the 120-acre premises.

The largest record set at the show was the 3.24 million dollars spent on the Harley Earl concept car, after Saturday’s grueling bidding war. The F-88 is a one-of-a-kind concept car made in 1954 and was designed by top General Motors stylist and engineers. The vehicle was purchased for the Gateway Colorado Auto Museum, which is owned by The Discovery Channel’s founder John S. Hendricks.

The turnout for those wishing to bid on GM muscle cars was stronger than ever. With the current day reintroduction of the Dodge Hemi engine, there seemed to be some extra spirit and enthusiasm for the Mopar bidders as well.



With so many incredible cars to look at, it’s easy to forget to occasionally notice the many famous faces among the bidders. One notable face was that of Boyd Coddington, who auctioned off a few of his well known creations, among them the “Aluma-Tub” hot rod, “Crazy Horse” ‘65 Mustang Fastback, and my personal favorite, the 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air “Chezoom” Custom. But it was Coddington’s 1936 one-off creation “Whatthehaye” that set a new record for the highest selling price of a street rod, when it sold for $540,000. But the smell of broken records was in the air this year, and only a few moments later Coddington’s record was broken when a 1936 Chrysler Airflow custom two door coupe, one of the only four remaining in the U.S. today, sold for an astonishing $550,800.

Although the admission price to attend the Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Auction might seem high ($130 for 5-day ticket), for any diehard auto enthusiast the adrenaline rush is entirely worth it. After all, how many times will you stand next to a multi-million dollar Harley Earl original? It is truly a rush to be in the midst of a bidding war with assistants waving their hands frantically as numbers are shouted out at incredible speed, and to see firsthand the joy of the winners and the disappointment of the other bidders that have to throw in the towel when they realize they can go no higher. “Let them have it,” their faces try to bravely say – “it’s just a car.”



Most of us know, however, that these are not just cars and this event is an experience unlike any other. More than just a chance for the wealthy elite to purchase that one-of-a-kind, or “I’ve wanted one of these since I was a little kid” type of vehicle, the Barret-Jackson Classic Car Auction is also a great opportunity for the rest of us to vicariously live out our automotive fantasies at the same time.

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