Cruisin’ through Classics: 2024 Scottsdale Barrett-Jackson Highlights

In the heart of Scottsdale, car enthusiasts from around the globe gathered at Westworld for the highly anticipated nine-day 2024 Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction. The atmosphere was charged with excitement as some of the rarest, most sought-after and expensive collectors cars went under the hammer.  This annual extravaganza is a mecca for collectors and gearheads alike.

A Brief History of Barrett-Jackson

Before diving into the 2024 auction, let’s take a quick pit stop through its history. The Barrett-Jackson auction has been a staple in the automotive world since its inception in 1971. What Tom Barrett and Russ Jackson established as a small-scale event in Scottsdale has grown into an automotive powerhouse, hosting multi-day auctions in various locations across the United States. The Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale event has remained the grandest of the them all though, and draws bucket loads of lucky attendees from around the world and all walks of life.  The 2024 car auction boasts an 83-acre site with 1.2 million square feet under roof!

A Glimpse into the 2024 Auction

This year’s Scottsdale auction was another spectacular showing, with a lineup that left even the most seasoned car aficionados wide-eyed. The sheer diversity of vehicles on display at the 2024 auction was rather staggering, ranging from rare classic muscle cars to modern supercars, and everything in between.

One of the standouts was a pristine 1967 Shelby GT500, often hailed as the epitome of American muscle. This iconic piece of American automotive history fetched a staggering $324,500, proving the enduring appeal of classic muscle cars among collectors.  The 2024 Barrett-Jackson auction hosted a plethora of muscle and pony cars including 185 Corvettes, 123 Mustangs and 115 Camaros!

Other amazing classic muscle and pony cars:

• A 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 sold for $440,000.
• A 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle Custom Coupe sold for $280,500.
• A 1968 Dodge Charger Custom Coupe sold for $275,000.
• A 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu Custom Coupe sold for $220,000.
• A 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Custom Convertible sold for $1,100,000.
• A 1967 Ford Mustang Custom Fastback sold for $220,000.
• A 1970 Mercury Cougar Eliminator 428 SCJ was sold for $220,000.
• A 1970 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 sold for $176,000.

Modern supercars also took center stage, including 23 Ferrari’s! A jaw-dropping low-mile 2012 Lexus LFA Nürburgring commanded our attention with its bright orange paint, V10 powertrain and carbon fiber accents.  When the gavel fell it drained a hefty $1,650,000 from the winning bidder’s bank account.

Other rare supercars and hypercars:

• A 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder sold for $1,787,500.
• A 2018 Bugatti Chiron (w/ fully exposed carbon fiber) sold for $2,970,000.
• A 2017 Ferrari F12 TDF sold for $1,347,500.
• 2022 Aston Martin DBX sold for $162,800
• 2006 Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder – Sold for $110,00
• A 2019 Ford GT sold for $1,375,000.
• A 2005 Porsche Carrera GT sold for $1,870,000.

Another showstopper was a pristine silver 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing. The iconic gullwing doors and timeless elegance of this classic beauty had collectors reaching deep into their pockets. The 300SL Gullwing once again proved its status as an automotive legend, garnering a hefty $3,410,000!

Other amazing vintage cars:

• A 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster sold for $2,420,000.
• A 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Custom Convertible sold for $225,500.
• A 1957 Ford Thunderbird Roadster Convertible sold for $220,000.
• A 1964 Mercedes-Benz 230SL Roadster sold for $220,000.
• A 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Custom Hardtop sold for $220,000.
• 1961 Lincoln Continental Convertible sold for $110,000

The 2024 auction featured a great deal of incredible 4X4 trucks and sport utility vehicles including a whopping 61 Broncos and 31 Blazers!

Other remarkable trucks and SUVs:

• A 1967 Chevrolet C10 Custom Pickup sold for $330,000.
• 1957 Chevrolet Custom Cameo Pickup sold for $104,500
• A 1977 Ford F-250 Custom Pickup sold for $222,200.
• A 1979 Ford Bronco Custom sold for $216,700.
• 1972 Chevrolet K5 Blazer Custom sold for $137,500
• 1970 Chevrolet K10 Cheyenne Super Custom Pickup sold for $148,500

Star Power

In addition to the auction undoubtedly drawing celebrity bidders, there were also formerly celeb owned rides for sale.  Some notable celebrity vehicles included:

• Tom Selleck’s 1953 Dodge Power Wagon pickup
• Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 1977 Mercedes-Benz Unimog U1300 SE Custom pickup
• Paul Walker’s 1999 Ferrari 360 Modena
• Sammy Hagar’s 2015 Ferrari LaFerrari
• Donald Trump’s 1997 Lamborghini Diablo VT Roadster (sold for $1,100,000)
• Nicolas Cage’s 1970 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda
• Kris Jenner’s 1956 Ford Thunderbird Convertible
• Pink Floyd drummer, Nick Mason’s 1962 Jaguar C-Type Proteus Re-Creation Roadster
• “Hee Haw” actor & musician Buck Owens’ 1951 Mercury Custom Convertible

Charity Takes the Wheel

Beyond the high-stakes bidding, Barrett-Jackson reaffirmed its commitment to charitable causes. Several cars were auctioned off to support various charities, adding a heartwarming (and price inflating) element to the event. Notable among these was a custom 2024 Ford Bronco with its proceeds earmarked for a children’s hospital. The tax right off bidding war for this unique vehicle not only showcased the generosity of car enthusiasts but also raised a significant sum for this noble cause.

The Electric Revolution

Reflecting the evolving landscape of the automotive industry, hybrid and electric vehicles made a presence at the 2024 auction, well if you looked hard enough. Although internal combustion engine cars still dominate the auction’s docket, there has been an uptick in hybrids and EVs at the auction in recent years.  This of course is in line with the upward trend of electrification within the automotive industry. This year our favorite was a sleek 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 3LZ (hybrid) that sold to benefit charity for a whopping $1,150,000.00.

Beyond the Block

It was almost impossible to be bored at 2024 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction. Beyond witnessing action at the auction block or viewing the endless rows of cars ready for their time to shine, the Barrett-Jackson event was a celebration of all things automotive. Attendees were treated to various live music acts (including Foreigner with Night Ranger), 274 venders from six countries, 45 food vendors (with 78 locations), and the chance to witness expert restorations in real-time. Car clubs proudly displayed their meticulously maintained rides, creating a kaleidoscope of automotive history.

For those not in the market for a new classic car, the event still offered a chance to soak in the nostalgia of bygone eras. From the rumble of muscle cars to the sleek lines of vintage roadsters, the Scottsdale Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction was a trip down memory lane for many.

Attendees could also indulge in free ride-and-drive experiences.  The Dodge and GR Supra Thrill Rides offered adrenaline-pumping excitement as participants rode shotgun with a professional driver that did full throttle racing and drifting around the “Barrett-Jackson Performance Track”. The RAM TRX and TRD Pro Dirt Rides showcased the off-road capabilities on a special dirt track. Attendees also had the chance to get behind the wheel and test-drive some of the latest vehicles from Volvo and Dodge.

Final Thoughts

The 2024 Scottsdale Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction was a roaring success, capturing the essence of the automotive world’s past, present, and future. From vintage classics to high-powered resto-mods, supercars and everything in-between, the event showcased the diverse tastes of today’s car enthusiast. As the final engines roared and the last bids were placed, it was clear that the Barrett-Jackson legacy continues to accelerate, leaving a trail of iconic cars and record-breaking sales in its tracks. Until next year, when the auction circuit once again ignites the passion of car lovers worldwide, we will have to drool over these pictures of the gearhead eye candy it offered.

2024 Barrett-Jackson Auction Pictures: