Barrett-Jackson reaches new heights at record-breaking sale in Scottsdale

Barrett-Jackson recorded the highest sales in collector car auction history at its 49th annual Scottsdale sale, driven by a charity sale of the highly anticipated first production 2020 mid-engine Chevrolet Corvette.

The total amount was more than $141 million (including auction fees), with $129.7 million from a record number of over 1,900 lots, $7.625 million from the sale of nine charity cars, including the Corvette, and $3.7 million from the sale of over 1,200 automobilia dollars were raised.

All of the 2020 auctions, the distinctive home of Barrett-Jackson, which continues to dominate Arizona Auction Week, were super-sized, with eight collector car auctions held this year, a record number. The unofficial total for these auctions was $244.1 million.

The Barrett-Jackson offerings included 180 collector cars from a record nine collections. A record number of registered bidders competed for seven days. The event had an overwhelming 99.9 percent sellout rate for the no-reserve auction, with only one vehicle failing to sell.

The auction marked the start of a year-long celebration of Barrett-Jackson's "Road to 50," which will build up to a half-century of Scottsdale auctions in 2021.

"We kicked off our accelerated 'Road to 50' in Scottsdale," said Craig Jackson, the company's chief executive officer, in a news release.

"Thanks to our sponsors, consignors, bidders, and guests, this week's auction was spectacular."

One of the highlights of this year's auction is a collection of cars and other items owned by the late "Wild Speed" actor Paul Walker. Topping the list was a group of 1990s BMW M3 coupes he owned, including five rare competition lightweights. One of the cars, a 1995 M3 Lightweight, sold for $385,000, more than double the previous auction record.

VIN 001, a 2020 Corvette Stingray, sold for $3 million, and General Motors Chairman Mary Barra appeared on stage at the auction to help sell this groundbreaking car, which GM donated for the event. The car was purchased by Rick Hendricks, a North Carolina mega-car dealer and NASCAR team owner who is a regular at Barrett-Jackson charity auctions.

"The response to the mid-engine Corvette was incredible," he said. To capitalize on that success and support our local community through the Detroit Children's Foundation is both humbling and exciting."

Barrett-Jackson's second highest result in Scottsdale was also a charity sale, with the first production model of the 2021 Lexus LC 500 Inspiration Series Convertible selling for $2 million for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

All proceeds from the Barrett-Jackson charity sale will go directly to the chosen charity. The auction company has raised more than $126 million over the years for worthy causes.

"This was the most phenomenal Scottsdale auction in the history of Barrett-Jackson. But what really pushed this Scottsdale auction to the next level was the amazing generosity of the many sellers and bidders who opened their hearts to raise $7,625,000 for charity. What an incredible feeling to know that the collector car community is making such a positive impact on the lives of people across the country who need our help."

Other charity sales include a 1968 Plymouth GTX custom by Chip Foose and owned by TV personality Chris Jacobs that sold for $300,000 for the C4 Foundation, a 1981 Jeep CJ7 custom that sold for $300,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which was listed three times for the Foundation, raising a total of $425,000.

"Special guest 13-year-old Make-A-Wish recipient Will Wade accompanied Craig Jackson around the block and fulfilled his wish by hammering in the final sale of the Jeep," Barrett Jackson wrote.

Also sold for charity was a 1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Winston Cup NASCAR race car that sold for $250,000 for the Arizona Animal Welfare League. org, a 1963 Volvo Amazon custom coupe sold for $150,000 for the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund, a 1974 Ford Bronco custom SUV sold for $650,000 for the Ryan Blaney Family Foundation, a $200,000 for the TGen Foundation 1965 Superformance MKII Custom Cobra Replica, which sold for $50,000 with an additional $50,000 donation.

The highest bidders outside of the Barrett-Jackson charity cars were two Modern American Exotics and a 2017 Ford GT, one selling for $1,485,000 and the other for $1,182,000. The other three cars on the auction's top 10 sellers list were low-mileage 2005-2006 Ford GTs, two of which sold for $440,000 and one for $451,000. [1969 Chevrolet COPO Camaro ZL1 sold for $1,095,000 and a 1963 Aston Martin DB5 for $660,000.

To see a list of Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale's winning bids, visit the auction's website.

This article, written by Bob Golfen, originally appeared on ClassicCars.com, an editorial partner of Motor Authority.