SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -
Among the activities on tap for Barrett-Jackson’s 40th anniversary — which is slated for Jan. 17-23 in Scottsdale, Ariz. — are a collector-car auction at WestWorld, the second annual Scottsdale road rally and a cruise-in, just to name a few. There will be 40 hours of live coverage of the week’s events on the SPEED television channel.

“Our 40th anniversary will celebrate the automotive passion that has transformed this hobby,” shared Barrett-Jackson chairman and chief executive officer Craig Jackson.

“Barrett-Jackson is honored to be one of the catalysts for the mainstream acceptance of car collecting, and we’re excited to throw a party for the millions of people that have joined the hobby over the past four decades,” he added. “They make car collecting a dynamic and vibrant pastime that we all enjoy.”
The 40th Annual Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction in January in one of four auctions the company is holding in 2011 — the others being sales events in Palm Beach, Fla.; Orange County, Calif.; and Las Vegas.
At each one of these four auctions, Barrett-Jackson is offering a 1971 model-year collector. Offering these vehicles — all of which are in the Barrett-Jackson Collection — is to honor of the first sale the company ever hosted: an event in Scottsdale in 1971.
A Barrett-Jackson anniversary-themed transporter will carry these anniversary models together to various race racks and local automotive-related events — which will be put on by Barrett-Jackson and SPEED between the sales — to “make special appearances.”
During the tour’s finale party at the Las Vegas auction in September, the company is hosting a special ceremony where it will give the models to whoever bought them.
“We couldn’t think of a more fitting way to celebrate 40 years in the business than to throw a huge, coast-to-coast party for collector car enthusiasts from all corners of the country,” shared Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson.
“We realize that not all car lovers are able to make the trip to a Barrett-Jackson auction event during the year, so we decided to bring a little bit of Barrett-Jackson directly to their hometowns,” he added.
Rick Miner, senior vice president of production and network operations at SPEED, noted: “We’re thrilled to help our friends at Barrett-Jackson celebrate their 40th anniversary in style.
“By offering an unprecedented 40 hours of live programming for the 40th anniversary of the Scottsdale auction and joining Barrett-Jackson in hosting the nationwide anniversary tour, we’ll be able to reach more collector car fans across the country than ever before,” Miner continued.
Moreover, all four of the sales will have a giveaway for a VIP package. There will also be a 40th anniversary DVD box set for sale. These DVDs include exclusive interviews with Barrett-Jackson executives.
Barrett-Jackson is turning to Facebook contest as its online avenue for getting the word out. It will give tickets and merchandise to 40 winners for each auctions.
“We’re founded on a love for classics, Hot Rods, Resto-Mods, exotics and muscles cars, and the past 40 years have been incredible in many ways for Barrett-Jackson,” Davis commented. “We’ve launched three additional auctions, pioneered Internet bidding, established unprecedented transparency and trust in the industry, brought the auction excitement to fans’ living rooms through SPEED and so much more.
“We know 2011 will be a year to reflect on our many achievements as an organization and look forward to a new and exciting future that lies ahead of us,” Davis added. “Some say life begins at 40, and for the team at Barrett-Jackson, it couldn’t be truer. We look forward to celebrating our anniversary with our loyal fans, consignors, bidders, sponsors, exhibitors and other friends.”