Barrett-Jackson car auction in Scottsdale brings in more than $131M

PHOENIX — The Barrett-Jackson classic car auction at Scottsdale’s WestWorld wrapped up Sunday after a week of selling some of the world’s coolest vehicles.

This event was the company’s successful auction in its history, bringing in more than $131.6 million in sales, according to a press release.

More than 1,800 vehicles were sold, making this the largest public no-reserve collector car auction ever held, according to the release.

There were more than 5,300 bidders and a record number of guests at the event, which began Jan. 12.

Barrett-Jackson raises a record $9.6 million for charity with help from celebrities, top auto manufacturers, during 48th Annual Scottsdale Auction

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— Barrett-Jackson (@Barrett_Jackson) January 21, 2019

“Thanks to our bidders, consignors and guests, we started 2019 at full throttle with our most successful event yet,” Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO, said in the release.

“The atmosphere was electric as the demand for collector cars continues to grow and expand to a new, younger generation of enthusiasts. … The skyrocketing number of millennial and Gen-X buyers demonstrates how vibrant and exciting it is to be at Barrett-Jackson for all generations.”

The auction attributed some of its success to celebrity appearances, including Jeff Gordon, Alice Cooper, Arie Luyendyk and Tim Allen.

The most expensive vehicle auctioned was the 2019 McLaren Senna, sold for just under $1.5 million.

The event also generated $9.6 million for charities, including a hand-built 50th Anniversary Edition Ford Mustang Cobra Jet auctioned by Sanderson Ford, which raised $200,000 to benefit families at Luke Air Force Base.

A custom 1981 CJ7 Jeep raised more than $1.3 million for the Gary Sinise Foundation, which benefits veterans and first responders.

See the gallery below for the top 12 vehicles sold at the auction.

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