Arizona’s Classic Car Season

Arizona Auction Week fuels the passion for classic auto muscle and style.

 

Each January for the past 20 years serious car collectors, avid enthusiasts and gear heads the world over have beat a path to the Southwest to fuel their passion during Arizona Auction Week.

This fraternal group – nearly 250,000 strong – and those along just for the fun and sun, pour into Greater Phoenix for big-ticket shows.

These spectacular showcases of high-end rare and vintage cars and automobilia beckon from no less than seven internationally renowned car auctions in metropolitan Phoenix.

The jaw-dropping classic-car consignments from private collectors range from rare collectibles to exotic racers, American muscle cars to hot rods, and even historic military vehicles.

While aficionados bid in hope of reeling in a treasure, and sales soar into the millions for the luxurious rolling stock, spectators are welcome to view the merchandise, watch the action and breathe this rarified air.

Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Auction

The annual adoration of classic cars in Arizona undoubtedly begins with the wildly popular, televised Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Auction, staged at WestWorld in north Scottsdale (January 15–22, 2012).

This event is the brainchild of Tom Barrett and Russ Jackson, who conjured up Fiesta de los Autos Elegantes in 1967 as a charity fundraiser. They turned serious in 1971, drawing on their individual collections of classic automobiles to develop their own auction house.

The record-shattering sale of Barrett’s Mercedes 770 Phaeton for $153,000 thrust the Barrett-Jackson name into international prominence – the rest is history. And the excitement has only escalated since Barrett-Jackson elected to sell each vehicle to the highest bidder – no reserve.

Nearly 1,000 American and European classics, sports cars and racing cars go on the auction block throughout the week.

Each day of the event offers something for everyone. In addition to the festive auction arena, the Lifestyle Pavilion hosts a parade of fashion shows, celebrity charity events and food and entertainment throughout the week.

Russo & Steele Collector Automobile Auction

The annual Russo & Steele Collector Automobile Auction, January 18–22, 2012, invites discreet buyers and sellers to an intimate “in the round” environment in Scottsdale.

Under the expansive tent at the Loop 101 freeway and Scottsdale Road, the players gather around the ground-level stage for an up-close and personal experience with more than 700 American and European sports cars, muscle cars and hot rods.

Founders Drew Alcazar and his wife, Josephine, named their event to fête the automobiles they love. “Russo” comes from the dark red Rosso Rubino trademark hue of a vintage Ferarri, while “Steele” speaks to the iron in Detroit and American muscle cars.

Motoexotica Classic Car Auction

In conjunction with Manheim, the premier St. Louis-based auction house, the Motoexotica Classic Car Auction will roll out more than 300 classic and exotic vehicles in its two-day event, January 14–15, 2012.

Staged at Dealers Auto Auction of the Southwest in Phoenix, this preeminent event is the only auction the company opens to the general public.

Bonhams Classic Car Auction

January 19, 2012, marks the inaugural appearance of Bonhams Auctions during Arizona Auction Week.

This one-day gala event takes place at the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Scottsdale. The feature attraction is the 1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I transformable convertible sedan that once belonged to Marlene Dietrich.

RM Auctions

RM Auctions hosts Automobiles of Arizona at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa in Phoenix on January 20, 2012.

Collector-car expert Rob Myers (the RM in RM Auctions) founded his company in 1991 and quickly established a reputation for offering enviable rosters of the world’s most influential automobiles in sumptuous settings across the country, as well as in the United Kingdom and Europe.

Gooding & Company Scottsdale Auction

Recognized internationally as a consummate collector-car auction house and orchestrator of private sales, Gooding & Company Scottsdale Auction comes to Scottsdale Fashion Square January 20–21, 2012, to sell approximately 70 vintage and classic cars. The $30 admission fee gets you in to ogle these beauties.

Silver Car Auction

The Silver Car Auction, January 20–21, 2012, in Fort McDowell is one of 20 such annual auctions held in 10 western states and Canada.

Its events range from small and intimate affairs to enormous gatherings boasting hundreds of cars for sale, such as this one at Ft. McDowell Resort and Casino.

Military Vehicle Show

The annual weekend-long Military Vehicle Show at the Peoria Sports Complex, January 28–29, 2012, includes military vehicles from WWI to Desert Storm, as well as vehicle parts, tools, supplies and unique military collectibles.

Santa Cruz Valley Car Nuts

For a more laidback look at classic style on wheels, roll on down the highway to Tubac, a charming community an hour south of Tucson.

Here, the Santa Cruz Valley Car Nuts hosts its annual Collector Car Show January 27–28, 2012, at the Tubac Golf Resort. This casual, fun-filled weekend kicks off with an evening car cruise to the Elks club for a traditional barbecue dinner.

Source: arizonaguide.com  by David Hubbard

The exclusive Salon Collection of cars set for Barrett-Jackson

Source:  www.bizjournals.com Phoenix Business Journal by Adam Kress, New Media Editor

There are classic cars, and then there are these cars.

The Barrett-Jackson Auction Company is debuting its Salon Offering Collection — some of the rarest and most valuable cars in the world — at its annual Scottsdale auction Jan. 15-22, 2012 at WestWorld.

“The Barrett-Jackson Salon Offering Collection provide our auction participants with the perfect marriage of the world’s most precious collector cars and the proud diversity, excitement and prestige associated with a Barrett-Jackson event,” said Barrett-Jackson Chairman and CEO Craig Jackson. “Our elite collectors have been part of the Barrett-Jackson family for generations, and they’re thrilled with this new, marquee designation for vehicles of this caliber.”

Lot #5006: 1930 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A Roadster Cabriolet by Castagna (Chassis Number 1540) – With 13,350 original miles, this beautiful Isotta Fraschini is a Tipo 8A with wonderful coachwork by Castagna of Milan, Italy.

Lot #5004: 1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy Town Car (Chassis Number 2401 Engine Number J-381) – One of only four built. In the 1980s, Florida car collector Bill Lassiter had a complete restoration performed on the car.

Lot #5002: 1933 Pierce Arrow Silver Arrow (ID# 2575018) – The Silver Arrow caused a sensation when it was unveiled at the New York Auto show in January 1933. Only five were ever built.

1947 Bentley Franay Mark VI Cabriolet (Lot #5005) (Chassis Number B 20 BH VIN B25071), universally recognized as the most successful and expensive post war Bentley/Rolls-Royce automobile of all time with the Concours and auction record to prove it. In August of 1991 at the Rolls-Royce national meet, the Bentley Franay was judged by its peers as “Best of Show” among all competing Rolls-Royce and Bentley automobiles from around the world. In 1999 it won the most coveted award that the RROC (Rolls-Royce Owners Club) could bestow, the Royce Memorial Trophy and top senior award “Best of Prior Best of Show.”

1948 Tucker Torpedo (Lot #5008) (Chassis Number 1043 Engine Number 33550), an advanced automobile conceived by Preston Tucker and briefly produced in Chicago in 1948 with only 51 examples ever made.

Lot #5000: 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300SL “Gullwing” Coupe (Chassis Number 198040-4500129 Engine Number 198080-4500144). With only 4,149 Original Miles, this exceptional example is one of only 146 that were built in 1954 and is one of the lowest mileage Gullwings in existence.

Lot #5002.1: 1954 DeSoto Adventurer II Coupe (VIN 1493762) – A one-off concept built by Ghia on a Chrysler Imperial chassis, 125.5″ long. Original HEMI power. Sold new to King Mohammed V of Morocco. Classified as one of the top ten concept cars ever constructed.

Lot #5007.2: 1928 Daimler P150 Vee Front Royal Limousine (Chassis Number 30652 Engine Number 51786) is the largest British car ever built. 7.163 Liter V-12 steel-sleeve valve engine producing 150hp at 248rpm, a 163″ wheelbase, 21′ overall length and weighs 8,100 lbs. This vehicle’s ownership history includes the Harrah’s Automobile Collection.