Barrett-Jackson: Where Million-Dollar Cars Get Hammered
Part auction, part automotive festival and part horsepower-fueled spectacle, Barrett-Jackson has become one of the most recognizable names in collector car culture.
Every year thousands of enthusiasts, collectors and curious spectators gather to watch rare classics, exotic supercars and automotive legends cross the auction block.
Some vehicles sell for more than most homes. Others carry celebrity ownership histories, movie fame or racing pedigrees that make bidding wars inevitable.
For automotive enthusiasts, Barrett-Jackson has become far more than an auction. It is a celebration of car culture itself.
Quick Take
Founded in 1971, Barrett-Jackson has grown into one of the world's largest collector car auction companies, combining high-profile vehicle sales, charity fundraising and automotive entertainment into a week-long event.
How It All Started
The story begins in the 1960s when automotive enthusiasts Tom Barrett and Russ Jackson connected through a classified advertisement involving a rare Cadillac.
Although the original deal never happened, a friendship formed that would eventually create one of the most influential collector car events in the world.
In 1971 they organized what was intended to be a one-time collector car auction in Scottsdale, Arizona.
The turnout exceeded expectations and the event quickly evolved into an annual tradition.
The Beginning
What started as a small gathering of collectors eventually became one of the largest and most recognizable automotive auction events in the world.
The Craig Jackson Era
Over the years Barrett-Jackson expanded dramatically under the leadership of Craig Jackson.
The company embraced television coverage, online bidding, larger venues and a growing list of automotive manufacturers and sponsors.
What was once a traditional auction evolved into a full-scale automotive festival featuring demonstrations, exhibits, entertainment and celebrity appearances.
More Than An Auction
Modern Barrett-Jackson events include live entertainment, manufacturer displays, ride-alongs, educational exhibits and enough automotive eye candy to keep enthusiasts busy for days.
How The Auction Works
The auction process is surprisingly simple.
Collectors consign vehicles ranging from pre-war classics and vintage muscle cars to modern exotics and custom builds.
Many vehicles are sold with no reserve, meaning the highest bidder takes the car regardless of the final price.
Professional auctioneers, giant display screens and enthusiastic crowds create an atmosphere that feels more like a sporting event than a traditional sale.
No Reserve Explained
A no-reserve auction means there is no minimum selling price. When the hammer falls, the highest bidder owns the vehicle.
Legendary Sales
Over the decades Barrett-Jackson has been home to some remarkable automotive sales.
Rare Shelby Cobras, historic Duesenbergs, movie vehicles and celebrity-owned cars have all crossed the block for extraordinary prices.
The original 1966 Batmobile, Carroll Shelby's personal Cobra Super Snake and numerous Mercedes-Benz 300SL models are among the auction's most memorable sales.
Famous Auction Highlights
From movie cars and celebrity vehicles to historic race cars and one-of-one collectibles, Barrett-Jackson has become a destination for automotive history.
Television And Pop Culture Fame
Television coverage helped transform Barrett-Jackson from an enthusiast event into a household automotive brand.
Millions of viewers have watched dramatic bidding wars unfold live as rare vehicles crossed the stage.
Today viewers can watch through television broadcasts, online streams and social media coverage from virtually anywhere.
Automotive Entertainment
The excitement, personalities and high-dollar bidding have helped make Barrett-Jackson one of the most watched automotive events in the world.
Giving Back Through Charity
One of the most important aspects of Barrett-Jackson is its charitable impact.
Charity vehicles are sold with 100 percent of the hammer price benefiting nonprofit organizations.
Over the years these auctions have raised hundreds of millions of dollars for veterans organizations, medical research, first responders and numerous charitable causes.
Horsepower Helping People
Beyond the collector cars and celebrity appearances, Barrett-Jackson has become one of the automotive industry's most successful fundraising platforms.
The Bottom Line
Barrett-Jackson is far more than a collector car auction.
It is a celebration of automotive history, enthusiast culture and the passion that drives collectors around the world.
Whether you are bidding on a million-dollar classic, searching for inspiration or simply enjoying the spectacle, few automotive events capture the excitement of car culture quite like Barrett-Jackson.
For enthusiasts, it remains one of the most entertaining places on earth to watch history roll across an auction block one vehicle at a time.
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