Barrett-Jackson has changed plans for the remainder of 2020 because of pandemic restrictions, adding a new live collector car auction in October while canceling two live auctions that were previously scheduled.
A new Fall Auction was announced Thursday by Barrett-Jackson, slated for October 22-24 at its home-base venue, WestWorld in Scottsdale, Arizona, the same location where its flagship January auction is held.
The auction company also announced the cancellation of its annual Las Vegas auction in September and its already postponed Palm Beach, Florida, auction that had been moved to October. The 5th annual Northeast Auction was scratched earlier this year.
“Although we were looking forward to our traditional Las Vegas and Palm Beach Auctions this year, after careful consideration we determined that a live auction at WestWorld was an exciting and more feasible alternative,” Craig Jackson, chairman and chief executive of Barrett-Jackson, said in the announcement.
“At this time, this allows us to better safeguard the health of our guests and team members and gives us the ability to deliver the high-quality experience for which Barrett-Jackson is known.
“A lot of thought went into the new procedures necessary for this to happen, which we will communicate over the coming weeks.”
The Covid-19 pandemic has thwarted live auctioneering around the world, with most major collector car auction companies, including Barrett-Jackson, substituting online sales instead of on-site events. Barrett-Jackson’s latest change of schedule shows how auction companies have had to adapt to the evolving pandemic.
In a news release, Barrett-Jackson said the Fall Auction will resume the company’s high-energy sales style that has earned it hundreds of thousands of eager fans.
“While this has been a tough year for everybody, it hasn’t dampened our passion for this incredible hobby,” said Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson. “Our collector car family encouraged us to hold this Fall Auction in our own backyard at the trusted venue of WestWorld, which provides a great level of confidence.
“We’re going to celebrate with a first-class experience that will serve as the perfect ‘warm-up’ to our big 50th Anniversary celebration next year.”
Because of social-distancing guidelines recommended for live events, the Fall Auction will be limited primarily to bidders, consignors and their guests. Enhanced live online and phone bidding options will be available for registered bidders, and the auction will be televised on the FYI and History cable channels.
Barrett-Jackson has been working with WestWorld and Scottsdale officials to ensure that the event is as safe as possible from transmission of the new coronavirus, including temperature checks, mandatory face coverings and social-distance seating that will reduce the event center’s capacity by 75 percent, the release says.
Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane said that the city has examined the auction plans and found that it complies with public health guidelines.
“Our staff reviewed the plan, and I am confident that everyone involved will see it through and ensure all necessary precautions are taken,” Lane said. “Over the next 12 weeks, we will pay close attention to Arizona’s coronavirus statistics and make adjustments as necessary.”
The company notes four headliner vehicles that will be offered at the Fall Auction, each of them with no reserve:
• An original, matching-numbers 1970 Plymouth Hemi ’Cuda that won Best of Show at the Mopar Nationals in 1998 and was completely re-restored in 2018.
• A 1968 Pontiac Firebird resto-mod with a 6.2-liter LS3 V8 engine under the hood and a multitude of top-of-the-line custom options.
• An original-owner 2012 Lexus LFA with less than 1,100 miles on the odometer, and one of just 178 examples allocated and sold in the U.S. market.
• A Shadow Black 2018 Ford GT with a Dark Energy interior theme, with less than 853 actual miles.
For more information about the new Fall Auction, visit the Barrett-Jackson website.
