Over $6 Million Raised for Charity at Barrett-Jackson
By Tyler Butler
The Barrett-Jackson auction is the premiere classic car auction in the entire world and it takes places right here in Scottsdale. Valley elite gathered at the opening night gala, where classic cars met contemporary fashion. Unlike the auction-oriented events and trade show that dominate the rest of this two week-long event series, the gala provides attendees with the opportunity to dress to impress while mingling amongst the rare automotive treasures that can be found at this event. The 2018 gala boasted more than 5,000 guests and the Montreal Rhapsody Orchestra entertained the audience.
The weeks of fun and bidding that followed this elegant evening were jammed packed with some amazing occasions. In its 47th year the Barrett-Jackson auction again set the bar for collector car hobby selling 1,721 vehicles for more than $106.8 million. This years’ event had one of the strongest opening weekends in history and hosted celebrities and athletes including Jay Leno, Michael Phelps, Kenny Chesney, David Spade, Tim Allen, Alice Cooper, Bruce Arians, Alan Williams, Archie Bradley and Arizona Governor Doug Ducey. Even former President George W. Bush was in attendance.
Of particular importance this year was the charity components tied to this affair as Carolyn Jackson, who not only leads marketing for Barrett-Jackson but is also serving in the role as the 2018 Heart Ball Chairman, highlighted the philanthropic focus that each year’s auction offers. A total of $6.21 million was raised through the sale of charity vehicles. This included 10 charity cars: a current-generation Ford GT (Lot #3010) that brought in $2.55 million. The sale of a 2018 Corvette Carbon 65 Edition (Lot #3007) generated $1.4 million, 100 percent of which will go to the former president’s Military Service Initiative.
Among the 10 charity vehicles that crossed the Scottsdale block was the first production 2019 Corvette ZR1 (Lot # 3009) that sold for $925,000. Carolyn and Craig Jackson’s Corvette 35th Anniversary brought in $350,000 (Lot #3008), and film star Chad McQueen was onstage as the VIN 001 2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt hammered for $300,000 (Lot #3006).
“Charitable giving has been a pillar of Barrett-Jackson going all the way back to 1966 with the first car show for charity, before we founded the auction company in 1971, and reaching nearly $102 million is an incredible milestone,” said Craig Jackson. “We are dedicated to continue that tradition through our yearlong charity initiative, Driven Hearts, to benefit the American Heart Association. We were excited to be joined on the block by Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association, for the sale of our personal Corvette, which raised an astounding $350,000 for this important cause. Then the winning bidder donated the car back to be resold at one of our future auctions. It was a great way to kick off Driven Hearts, which will continue to be at the core of every Barrett-Jackson event this year.”
