Guest Contribution: “No Reserve” by Chris Haynes
The Barrett Jackson provides products and services to classic and collector car owners, collectors and automotive enthusiasts. The company produces the “World’s Greatest Collector Car Events” in Scottsdale, Palm Beach, Florida, Orange County, California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Guest Contributor Chris Haynes (Author & Designer of AffordableLuxuryNow.com, and “The Car Guy” Blog) recently visited the Barrett Jackson Auto Auction in Scottsdale, AZ; here he is to tell you a little about his trip.
The drive to the event I have always wished to attend was approaching closer minute by minute. After much anticipation, alas the time had come. With the windows down in my 4-day rent-a-car I could feel myself getting more anxious as the warm “winter breeze” passed through the car and traffic began to pile up. Automobile enthusiasts travel from miles around each year to be in the heat of this broadcasted action. This year was my time to attend the 39th Annual Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Auction in Scottsdale, AZ.
From the moment I stepped off the plane I knew that this was the ultimate paradise for any automobile enthusiast; something I had always been searching for. The mountains surrounding the Scottsdale Valley could be seen in every direction through the crystal clear blue skies. By time I picked up the rental car and accelerated toward the heart of downtown Scottsdale where my brother and I were staying, I knew that I was permanently coming back. Scottsdale is a luxury car headquarters no matter which way you turn. As we moseyed down the road in our four-banger rent-a-car during the last weekend of the auction, I started to hear the surround sound exhaust note of something much more powerful behind us. I glanced in the mirror and had an instant smirk on my face as a glowing red Ferrari 430 soon rocketed by. Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and similar luxury manufacturers are daily drivers here while the occasional Bentley GT or Maserati Gran Turismo maneuvers in and out of traffic.
Acres and acres of parking surrounded the never-ending landscape of the Barrett-Jackson event tents; a half dozen shuttle buses buzzed visitors to and from their parking areas all day long. As I walked under the enormous Barrett-Jackson entrance sign I felt my heart start to pump faster. I was actually here in Scottsdale, thousands of miles from my hometown of Buffalo, NY. It was the annual event that I normally watch from my living room couch on the Speed channel each year. Hundreds of vendors, custom car shops, and food tantalized the air. Among the maze of tents we pushed our way through the masses of visitors picking up freebies, enjoying local food, and snapping pictures left and right. The entire event was just breathtaking for anyone who has never attended. We knew we were getting closer to the main event as the speakers echoed the voice of the auctioneer. As I sit here writing I am still mind blown that auctioneers have the gift to cram more words into one sentence than should be humanly possible. Every other 20 words I believe I caught the current bid price of the prized automobile on center stage. Countless classic and new automobiles lined up one behind the next just begging to come home to a new owner in this miniature stadium. Under the main tent were hundreds of spectators as bidders all around the room threw up a higher bid than the next. Live online bidding was also taking place and agents on phones with potential buyers in the broadcast area were shouting too. With a no reserve auction style I would be nerve rattled if my car were up on stage.
After being packed like sardines on the main floor for over an hour we maneuvered our way to the tents next door. Fluorescent lights sparkled off hundreds of vehicles either ready to be auctioned off or already sold. Dozens of classic muscle cars, European roadsters, and two Ferraris filled the tents while individuals like myself drooled over them like we were still small children. Having personally traveled to major annual car shows throughout the years such as the Detroit and NYC International Car Shows, different racing events, and the thrilling Gotham Dream Car Tour; I can honestly say the Barrett-Jackson Auction in Scottsdale, AZ was like no other. Knowing I will soon be moving to the Phoenix area, I highly anticipate attending this annual event for years to come. And for those of you that have never had the experience to be in the thick of the action first hand, I highly recommend taking the trip next year. You will not regret it.
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The Barrett Jackson provides products and services to classic and collector car owners, collectors and automotive enthusiasts. The company produces the “World’s Greatest Collector Car Events” in Scottsdale, Palm Beach, Florida, Orange County, California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Guest Contributor Chris Haynes (Author & Designer of AffordableLuxuryNow.com, and “The Car Guy” Blog) recently visited the Barrett Jackson Auto Auction in Scottsdale, AZ; here he is to tell you a little about his trip.
The drive to the event I have always wished to attend was approaching closer minute by minute. After much anticipation, alas the time had come. With the windows down in my 4-day rent-a-car I could feel myself getting more anxious as the warm “winter breeze” passed through the car and traffic began to pile up. Automobile enthusiasts travel from miles around each year to be in the heat of this broadcasted action. This year was my time to attend the 39th Annual Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Auction in Scottsdale, AZ.
From the moment I stepped off the plane I knew that this was the ultimate paradise for any automobile enthusiast; something I had always been searching for. The mountains surrounding the Scottsdale Valley could be seen in every direction through the crystal clear blue skies. By time I picked up the rental car and accelerated toward the heart of downtown Scottsdale where my brother and I were staying, I knew that I was permanently coming back. Scottsdale is a luxury car headquarters no matter which way you turn. As we moseyed down the road in our four-banger rent-a-car during the last weekend of the auction, I started to hear the surround sound exhaust note of something much more powerful behind us. I glanced in the mirror and had an instant smirk on my face as a glowing red Ferrari 430 soon rocketed by. Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and similar luxury manufacturers are daily drivers here while the occasional Bentley GT or Maserati Gran Turismo maneuvers in and out of traffic.
Acres and acres of parking surrounded the never-ending landscape of the Barrett-Jackson event tents; a half dozen shuttle buses buzzed visitors to and from their parking areas all day long. As I walked under the enormous Barrett-Jackson entrance sign I felt my heart start to pump faster. I was actually here in Scottsdale, thousands of miles from my hometown of Buffalo, NY. It was the annual event that I normally watch from my living room couch on the Speed channel each year. Hundreds of vendors, custom car shops, and food tantalized the air. Among the maze of tents we pushed our way through the masses of visitors picking up freebies, enjoying local food, and snapping pictures left and right. The entire event was just breathtaking for anyone who has never attended. We knew we were getting closer to the main event as the speakers echoed the voice of the auctioneer. As I sit here writing I am still mind blown that auctioneers have the gift to cram more words into one sentence than should be humanly possible. Every other 20 words I believe I caught the current bid price of the prized automobile on center stage. Countless classic and new automobiles lined up one behind the next just begging to come home to a new owner in this miniature stadium. Under the main tent were hundreds of spectators as bidders all around the room threw up a higher bid than the next. Live online bidding was also taking place and agents on phones with potential buyers in the broadcast area were shouting too. With a no reserve auction style I would be nerve rattled if my car were up on stage.
After being packed like sardines on the main floor for over an hour we maneuvered our way to the tents next door. Fluorescent lights sparkled off hundreds of vehicles either ready to be auctioned off or already sold. Dozens of classic muscle cars, European roadsters, and two Ferraris filled the tents while individuals like myself drooled over them like we were still small children. Having personally traveled to major annual car shows throughout the years such as the Detroit and NYC International Car Shows, different racing events, and the thrilling Gotham Dream Car Tour; I can honestly say the Barrett-Jackson Auction in Scottsdale, AZ was like no other. Knowing I will soon be moving to the Phoenix area, I highly anticipate attending this annual event for years to come. And for those of you that have never had the experience to be in the thick of the action first hand, I highly recommend taking the trip next year. You will not regret it.
