The World's Greatest Collector Car Auction - Barrett-Jackson

Twice a year (not including repeats) I am blessed with watching and hearing the Barrett-Jackson auction resounding throughout my house. My husband sits primed, ready with his ice tea and remote as the first car is ready to be placed on the auction block. For days, I watch him sit and oh and ah, over his dream cars that he will never be able to afford. Occasionally, I will hear "Hon, you have got to come see this car" or "Hon, you will not believe how much such and such a car sold for". However, for the most part just as I have learned to deal with not having a husband as long as the auction is on, he has learned that I just really do not care about these cars that are selling for more than my house is worth.

The Barrett-Jackson Auction is held twice a year, once in Scottsdale Arizona and the other in Palm Beach Florida. At the first auction that held in 1971, Barrett's Mercedes 770 Phaeton sold for $153,000. The first televised auction was in 1997 on Speedvision. This was also the year that began internet bidding on the cars. In 2002, Palm Beach became the second location to host the Barrett-Jackson Auction.

The Barrett-Jackson Auction is not an organization without a heart. In 2007, the auction raised over $4 million dollars for charity. ChildHelp, The Fisher House, The Carroll Shelby's Children's Foundation, the Darrell Gwynn Foundation, and The Juvenile Diabetes research Foundation are just a few of the charities that have benefited from the Barrett-Jackson Auction in Scottsdale. At the Palm Beach auction, nearly $800,000 was raised for charities.

In 2007 at the Scottsdale location the top selling car was the 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 "Carroll Shelby's Personal Supersnake" that sold for $5,500,000. Two cars tied for second place bringing in $1,100,000 each were the 1954 Dodge Firearrow II Convertible Concept Car and the 1954 Dodge Firearrow IV Convertible Concept Car.

The Barrett-Jackson Auction is not just for car buyers. There are over 350 vendors that can accommodate anything you may be looking. Whether it is a part to finish your hotrod or a shirt to commemorate you being there, you are certain to find what you are looking for.

You can visit www.Barrett-Jackson.com for a calendar of events or for more information on visiting the Barrett-Jackson Auctions as a spectator or as a bidder. Discount tickets are available to purchase online before the scheduled events.