SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Unusual weather failed to dampen last week's 39th annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction.

Officials tabulated the sales figures and determined they came in at more than $68 million. That figure represents an 11-percent hike from the 2009 sale total.

The company was especially pleased with the sale results considering the circumstances that surrounded this year's event. Torrential rains and heavy winds blew into Arizona, but no units were damaged. Barrett-Jackson indicated all units crossed the block as scheduled as more than 180,000 attendees watched.

"Even with the worst weather the Phoenix area has seen in decades, buyers, sellers and visitors from across the country enjoyed another incredible Scottsdale event," explained Craig Jackson, chairman and chief executive officer of Barrett-Jackson.

"With an 11-percent increase in sales, we showed that buyers have confidence in the market and are choosing Barrett-Jackson as the source to add to their collections," Jackson continued.

"What a great way to start the 2010 auction season," he added.

The top seller of the event was a Hamilton Metalplane H-47, which went for $671,000. Barrett-Jackson also listed the other units that represented the Top 10 individual sale totals:

—Lot No. 1317: 1964 Shelby Cobra Roadster, $478,500.

—Lot No. 1303: 1963 Shelby Cobra Roadster, $401,500.

—Lot No. 1265: 1935 Cadillac Series 40 Fleetwood Imperial Convertible, $302,500.

—Lot No. 1295.1: 2011 Ford Mustang GT Glass Roof Coupe, $300,000.

—Lot No. 1289: 1970 Plymouth HEMI Superbird 2-Door Hardtop, $286,000.

—Lot No. 1292: 1952 Watson Roadster Custom by Blastolene, $280,500.

—Lot No. 1027: 2008 Ford Mustang FR500S Fastback Racecar, $275,000.

—Lot No. 1283.1: 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429 Fastback, $275,000.

—Lot No. 1287: 1967 Ford Mustang Custom Fastback, $253,000.

All told, almost 1,200 collector vehicles went up for sale at no reserve. Nearly 40 hours of live, high-definition TV coverage of the event was shown on SPEED.

"Barrett-Jackson remains the heartbeat and bellwether of car collecting," noted Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson.

"From events like our downtown city of Scottsdale Road Rally and Ford Family Value Day benefiting Cox Charities to on-site ride and drives and various exhibitors, people come here to celebrate the automotive culture and the passion of the hobby," Davis went on to state.

"But most of all, they love Barrett-Jackson because it's all about the cars. And with nearly 1,200 vehicles all selling at no reserve, this year's docket was our best ever," he continued.

Besides those watching in person or on television, Barrett-Jackson noticed plenty of new interest in this event. Of all bidders, the company indicated 40 percent were first-time applicants. Furthermore, executives indicated that 35 percent of the consignor pool consisted of individuals making a sale for the first time.

"The influx of new buyers and consignors at our events is why there is such a diverse mixture of cars at Barrett-Jackson," Davis stressed.

"Our Top 10 list includes a blend of classics, muscle cars, customs, new-model-year collector cars, Cobras and even an airplane," he added.

The event drew plenty of online traffic as well. Barrett-Jackson said it had more than 27.1 million page views of its Web site beginning one month before the event. The company also mentioned that it added 4,000 followers through Facebook, another 700 followers on Twitter and yet another 700 more through its own online forum.

"From ethics and transparency to social media initiatives, Barrett-Jackson will continue to fuel growth and build trust in the collector car hobby," Jackson contended.

"This is a vital period in car collecting, where buyers and sellers are smart, well informed and know exactly what they want," he continued.

"With the market strong and the hobby more popular than ever, it certainly is an exciting time to be in the game," Jackson pointed out.

Barrett-Jackson noted it already has started to accept consignment applications for its eighth annual Palm Beach Auction. The event will be held at The Americraft Expo Center at the South Florida Fairgrounds April 1 through 3.