Barrett-Jackson

Anyone here go to BJ and look/bid on what they have? I watch it on speedtv and see these fantastic cars go for such rediculous sums of money, just wanted to see if anyone has any cool stories at the BJ (or any other auction). I would assume that most of you guys don't go to Barrett-Jackson since it is primairily American Muscle Cars but then again I wouldn't know...

Any opinions?

Cheers

 

It's cool to watch, but I really get tired of seeing the same muscle cars over and over and over. I realize that's what they specialize in, but I know foreign sports cars sell there too.

The beauty of the auction is emotion. Being in competition with one or more bidders, plus the love of the car on the block is what drives the prices. However, I am one that is not as big a fan of B-J, since there's been rumor of quick gavels and manipulation. All alleged, but if you are familiar with auctions, you can see how that might happen...it's less "Christie's" and more "livestock auction" with the cadence of the auctioneer and what not. Can't argue with their success, but something about it puts me off.

 

I have watched a little this year and I have yet to see any cars that weren't American. They had a couple of Saturns up for auction the other night...

 

This year I saw a Mondial, a lotus esprit 88 or 89, A bmw Isetta and a couple of Austin Healey's so far. But it looks mostly American cars for the "bigger" days coming up.

 

GranSport #2 should prove interesting.

 

I've seen a Healey here and there, but compared to Russo and Steele (shown on ESPN), the cars are repetitive. I never thought I'd say an American muscle car is boring, but maaaan seeing another '69 Mustang or '67 Corvette puts me to sleep!

On Russo and Steele, I've seen Daytonas, Isos, Jaguars - you name it! Again, I realize that B-J isn't really a specialist in exotics and sports cars, but they're big enough that I would think you'd see something different.

 

I agree, I am so tired of the American muscle. I've been on daddy duty, so me and the girl have sat through a good 6 hours of the broadcast. "Oh joy, another freaking Vette."

And what's with the rotund dudes in Hawaiian shirts and gold watches. Seriously? And the guy next to the auctioneer needs to take off his sunglasses. It's night and you're inside. Maybe he is taking a nap.

 

any of you guys ever bought a car at auction? what and how did it go?

 

That auctioneer is too cool for school man.

All the muscle car shows i attend (Daytona, Carlisle, Charlotte, various Goodguys) have three types of attire. The white colar types wear XXL Tommy Bahama shirts and walk around with a straw hat and a cigar. The blue colar types wear either Carhart work clothes or a white T-shirt with their favorite muscle car on it. It's a very narrow Demographic.

My girlfriend always comes downstairs and when she sees me watching BJ she'll say "another white guy buying a corvette?" i'll just say "yup" to which she say's "imagine that". It's become a little joke between us.

For every 4 Muscle car guys that pass or sell their cars to downsize only one younger person is there to take their place.

Prices will drop.

 

I went to Barrett a couple of years ago and was pretty underwhelmed. There were some perfect cars but a lot, and I mean a lot of 20 footers. Overspray on weather strip and that type of stuff.

Sadly, a lot of the buyers were boozed up fat white guys in Tommy Bahama shirts. Sellers pay $500 plus 8% on the hammer and buyers 10%. It just doesn't make sense to me.

Still, it's a fun trip to hit Scottsdale in the Winter and all of the auctions every 5 years or so.