Arizona Car Week 2019
Every January, the Phoenix area becomes the center of the collector car world, as no fewer than seven auction companies hold sales during Arizona Car Week. With thousands of classics, muscle cars, exotics and customs up for auction, it is one of the best cars shows imaginable, and for those who’ve always wondered what a specific car is worth, with the fall of the gavel, that question is quickly answered. For the classic car junkie, this celebration of cars is what dreams are made of, regardless of whether you’re attending as a spectator, buyer, or seller. So, if you weren’t able to attend this year (or if you did, but you haven’t had your fill of classic cars yet), we cruised around the Valley of the Sun to catch five of the major auctions. No admission tickets or bidding paddles are required – just sit back and imagine what fun you could have with some of these beauties.
Top Five Overall Sales
- 1963 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta, Gooding & Company for $7,595,000
- 1958 Ferrari 250 GT Tour de France Berlinetta, Gooding & Company for $5,890,000
- 1953 Ferrari 250 MM Spider Series II, Gooding & Company for $5,395,000
- 1985 Ferrari 288 GTO, RM Sotheby’s for $3,360,000
- 1952 Maserati A6G 2000 Frua Spider, Bonhams for $2,755,00
Barrett-Jackson
- Number of Vehicles: 1800
- Top Sale (for charity): $2,500,000 for 2019 Ford GT VIN 001
- Top Sale (non-charity): $1,457,500 for 2019 McLaren Senna
- Total Sales (including charity cars): $131.6 Million ($9.6 million for charity)
Barrett-Jackson is the one that started it all (48 years ago), and it is the hottest ticket in town. As well as providing high-octane action on the auction block, this nine-day event in Scottsdale is known as a life-style event, featuring a diverse array of outdoor and indoor activities, and plenty of food and adult beverages. Now, add the celebrity and TV/movie star car appearances, and you have an event that should be on everyone’s bucket list – a true party in the desert. Here are highlights from this year’s show.
Top Sale at Barrett-Jackson
Ford, celebrating their remarkable string of four consecutive Le Mans victories, auctioned off a the 2019 Ford GT Heritage Edition, VIN 001. This optional package GT features a unique serialized identification plate, exposed matte carbon-fiber door sills, air register pods and center console. All proceeds ($2,500,000) were donated to United Way of Southeastern Michigan.
This 2019 McLaren Senna is McLaren’s lightest, and the world’s fastest, street-legal supercar around a track. It is serial chassis number 005 out of only 500 vehicles, which have been sold out since their announcement, and is one of approximately 120 in the United States. It sold here for $1,457,500. Click on image to right for a
Celebrities and Star Cars
More Eye-Catching Cars
Worldwide Auctioneers
- Number of Vehicles: 71
- Top Sale: $687,500 for 1935 Auburn 851 SC Boattail Speedster
- Total Sales: Not Reported
A relatively new auction company, Worldwide Auctioneers is already making themselves known for the personal attention they provide to sellers and buyers, alike. They consign, research, and market, so nobody knows the motorcar better than them. “We don’t limit ourselves to only selling the most expensive cars in the world, but our aim is to ensure that every car that we do consign is the very best of its type,” the company says on its website.
Worldwide Auctioneers, in only their third year in Scottsdale, compiled an impressive collection of classic cars for their Scottsdale auction. Here’s a glimpse of some of them, including the 1935 Auburn 851 SC Boattail Speedster, which sold for $687,500.
RM Sotheby’s
- Number of Vehicles: 162
- Top Sale: $3,360,000 for 1985 Ferrari 288 GTO
- Total Sales:
Always a much-anticipated event in January, RM Sotheby’s returned to the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa for their annual classic car auction. Now in their 20th year, the sale included numerous high-end European classics and sports cars. Following the auction, Gord Duff, Global Head of Auctions said, “We were thrilled to bring an exceptional, high-quality offering of blue-chip collector cars to our 20th Arizona sale. We received fantastic feedback on the catalogue of cars, and while we certainly witnessed a continued shift in collecting interests, we saw strong prices achieved for fresh-to-market motor cars from several segments of the market, most notably for great American Classics and for late-model collectibles.”
Here’s a look at RM Sotheby’s offerings at their Scottsdale auction, including their top sale, the 1985 Ferrari 288 GTO, which sold for $3,360,000.
Bonhams
- Number of Vehicles: 120
- Top Sale: $2,755,000 for 1951 Maserati A6G 2000 Frua SpiderTotal Sales:
- Total Sales: $16.1 Million
The 8th annual Bonhams auction was highlighted by the sale of a 1952 Maserati A6G 2000 Frua Spider. As the only surviving example of its kind, it set an all-time record price of $2,755,000. “Our sale was well supported and featured a large number of cars without reserve creating multiple bidders throughout and a very respectable rate of sale. It’s a discerning market at the moment and while we weren’t able to conclude sales on a couple of the bigger cars, we sold nearly all the cars on offer and achieved some impressive results and auction records along the way,” said Rupert Banner, Motoring Group Director.
Here’s a glimpse of some of the classics in Bonhams auction, including the 1951 Maserati A6G/2000 Spider. It sold here for $2,755,000.
Gooding & Company
- Number of Vehicles: 125
- Top Sale: $7,595,000 1963 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta
- Total Sales: $48.2 Million
Now in its 13th year in Scottsdale, Gooding & Company, has compiled a diverse collection of blue-chip vehicles and posted 9 sales of $1 million or more including three of the highest priced vehicles sold during Arizona Car Week 2019. “I am delighted to close out another fantastic week resulting in the top three sales across the board and new world records,” states David Gooding, President and Founder of Gooding & Company. “Bidding was strong and demonstrated our clientele’s confidence in our consignments and our brand.”
Here’s a glimpse of some of the classics in Gooding & Company auction, including the 1963 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta, which sold for $7,595,000.
All prices include buyers commission, where applicable.
