Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale 2012

Craig Jackson went back to his company’s roots to plan Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale 2012.

To celebrate the 41-st annual event, Barrett-Jackson Auction Company is debuting its Salon Offering Collection — one-of-a-kind cars that are among the world’s most valuable and collectible. These include a 1947 Bentley Franay Mark VI cabriolet, a 1948 Tucker Torpedo and a 1957 DeSoto Adventurer convertible.

These signature vehicles will cross the block Jan. 20, 2012, from 5–7 p.m. at WestWorld of Scottsdale. They join 1,200 exotics, customs, classics, resto-mods, hot rods and other original collector vehicles at the lifestyle event, which includes vendors and events such as fashion shows, live demonstrations, ride ‘n drive events with Ford and GM, celebrity sightings and live music. More than 250,000 car fans and their families are expected to attend this year’s event.

“Our roots at Barrett-Jackson are in one-off vehicles such as these Salon Collection cars,” says Craig, company chairman and CEO, whose dad, Russ, and business partner, Tom Barrett, held their first charity car show in 1971, “Fiesta de los Auto Elegantes” at the old Safari Resort in downtown Scottsdale.

“These recall the rare European and American cars that my dad and Mr. Barrett first offered at auction when they were just starting: classic Mercedes-Benz, Cadillacs, Duesenbergs and others,” says Craig, who grew up with the business, helping prepare cars for sale. “We have not one but two spectacular Desoto Adventurers, for example, this year — a ‘54 and ’57.”

Today, his Scottsdale-based Barrett-Jackson Auction Company also produces “The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions™” in Palm Beach, Fla., Las Vegas, Nev., and Orange County, Calif.

“The Barrett-Jackson Salon Offering Collection provides our auction participants with the perfect marriage of the world’s most precious collector cars and the proud diversity, excitement and prestige associated with a Barrett-Jackson event,” he adds. “Our elite collectors have been part of the Barrett-Jackson family for generations, and they’re thrilled with this new marquee designation for vehicles of this caliber.”

These signature “Salon” cars include:

•1947 Bentley Franay Mark VI Cabriolet (Lot #5005; Chassis Number: B 20 BH; VIN: B25071) — In August 1991 at the Rolls-Royce national meet, this Bentley, with coachwork by Franay, was judged “Best of Show” among all Rolls-Royce and Bentley automobiles. Eight years later, it won the most coveted award from the Rolls-Royce Owners Club, the Royce Memorial Trophy, and the top senior award, “Best of Prior Best of Show.” “This wonderful car represents the best craftsmanship of two countries: a French body on an English chassis. The one-off Bentley Franay has appeared in many shows throughout the country,” Craig explains.

•1948 Tucker Torpedo (Lot #5008; Chassis Number 1043; Engine Number: 33550) — Created by Preston Tucker and briefly produced in Chicago in 1948, this is one of just 51 examples made.

•1957 DeSoto Adventurer Convertible (Lot #5008.1; VIN: 50417567) — It’s powered by the famous 345-horsepower HEMI V-8 with dual quads and an automatic transmission.

•Delahaye 135 MS Prototype (Lot #5004.2; VIN: 800518) — This prototype is on a Delahaye chassis, with an inline 6-cylinder 3.5-liter engine, Solex HD 44 carbs and Cotal semi-automatic transmission. The car was a factory promotion demo for the great French marque’s UK concessionaires, exporters and shippers.

•1955 Flajole Forerunner Coupe Concept (Lot #5003; VIN: S673772) — Stylist Bill Flajole’s vision of the future, this car incorporates 7,000-plus hours of design and construction and futuristic elements such as retracting tinted Plexiglas roof, headrest bucket seats and contrasting color fender coves. Featured on the cover of Motor Trend September 1955, the Forerunner concept car incorporated many items long before they appeared on any production car.

•1954 DeSoto Adventurer II Coupe (Lot #5002.1; VIN: 1493762) — One of one by Ghia on a Chrysler Imperial long chassis (125.5 inches), it features the original HEMI engine. Sold new to King Mohammed V of Morocco, it has been called one of the top 10 concept cars ever.

•1928 Daimler P150 Vee Front Royal Limousine (Lot #5007.2; Chassis Number: 30652; Engine Number: 51786) — The largest British car ever built, it carries a 7.163-liter V-12 steel-sleeve valve engine outputting 150 horses at 248 rpm, a 163-inch wheelbase, 21-foot overall length and weighs 8,100 lbs. The Harrah’s Automobile Collection once owned it.

•The other Barrett-Jackson Salon offerings: a 1930 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A Roadster Cabriolet (Lot #5006; Chassis Number: 1540), with 13,350 original miles, featuring coachwork by Castagna of Milan, Italy; a 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300SL “Gullwing” Coupe (Lot #5000; Chassis Number: 198040-4500129; Engine Number: 198080-4500144), with just 4,149 original miles one of the lowest-mileage Gullwings in existence and one of only 146 built this year; a 1933 Pierce Arrow Silver Arrow (Lot #5002; ID# 2575018), one of five built and the centerpiece of the January 1933 New York Auto Show when it was unveiled; and a 1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy Town Car (Lot #5004; Chassis Number: 2401; Engine Number: J-381), one of only four and the recipient of a complete restoration by Florida car collector Bill Lassiter.

In addition, continuing its longstanding tradition of giving, Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale will also be auctioning a number of cars for local and national charities. One, the first SMS-Bondurant Camaro, benefitting the Cox Charities and Make-A-Wish Foundation, will be on the blocks Thursday evening, Jan. 18, at 8 p.m. Bearing #001, this 620-horsepower, 6-speed supercharged Camaro represents the first of these supercars by designer Steve Saleen and legendary racer, Paradise Valley resident Bob Bondurant.

“We are consigning six full days of a diverse offering of vehicles for every level of enthusiast,” says Steve Davis, president, Barrett-Jackson. “I’m looking forward to producing a docket that will contribute to the overall excitement that can only be experienced at a Barrett-Jackson event.”

Adds Craig: “We think this will be a great auction and the beginning of a great year for us. Our Salon cars are also a great indication that collectors with unique vehicles are willing to offer them for sale, and our other sellers have been flocking to us with great cars for quite a while leading up to the Scottsdale event.” For example, the auction is offering a “barn find” Shelby GT-350 from a California consignor as well as a premium street rod, a Riddler Award winner.

SPEED will broadcast nearly 40 hours of live, high-definition TV coverage Tuesday through Thursday, Jan. 17–19, 5–10 p.m.; Friday, Jan. 20 and Saturday, Jan. 21, noon to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, Jan. 22, 12–4 p.m. All times are Eastern Standard.

Gates open at 8 a.m. Jan. 15 through Jan. 22. The memorabilia auction begins every morning, Jan. 17–22, and the collector car auction begins at 10 a.m. on Jan. 17 and continues into the evenings, through Jan. 22, until all cars scheduled are offered for bid.

“Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale 2012 is one of the pre-eminent auto events in the world, and this year’s stellar mix of great cars, entertainment and vendors make it a must for the collector as well as everyone in the family,” Craig says. “We are looking forward to welcoming you.”

Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale, www.barrett-jackson.com or call 480.663.6255