It seems like we were at the 47th annual Barrett Jackson auction in Scottsdale, Arizona just last weekend. Time flies when you are having fun and the creator of the world’s greatest collector car auctions has done it again. Barrett Jackson just wrapped up their 16th annual auction in Palm Beach, Florida.
A total of $39.4 million dollars in auction sales were tallied over the 4-day event breaking previous auction records. 692 cars, most selling with no reserve, were auctioned off to the highest bidders and raised more than $38.3 million. 380 pieces of automobilia fetched more than $702,000, and charity vehicles amassed $450,000 to be donated.
This year’s auction broke records not only in sales, but attendance as well. It attracted more than 700 new bidders, another new record for the Palm Beach auction event. There were plenty of celebrities in the crowd as well like Burt Reynolds. Burt was on stage to help facilitate the sales of, you guessed it, three collectable Trans Am models that he personally owned.
Another private collection was on hand and really stole the show. John Staluppi, philanthropist, superyacht builder and renowned collector car magnate, sold most of his private collection. By the end of the auction, 145 of John’s vehicles had sold for $13.96 million.
John stores his collectors in his classic car museum, Cars of Dreams. This museum is a one of a kind re-creation of life moments and places that mean the most to Mr. Staluppi. From his own personal indoor drive-in, an eat-in diner, coney island attractions and a Sunoco station, this museum has it all, except cars as of the end of the Barrett Jackson auction.
Opening day of the auctions started with a special parade showcasing vehicles from John Staluppi’s Cars of Dreams Collection. Here is what Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson had to say about having John’s collection at the event…
“Our guests have made the Palm Beach Auction such an electrifying event year after year,” he said. “We were especially honored to be trusted to auction three incredible collections, including the ‘Cars of Dreams’ owned by our good friends Jeanette and John Staluppi. Their 145 vehicles, which all sold at No Reserve, represented some of the finest examples of ’50s, ’60s and ’70s-era American cars. It was a pleasure working alongside John and Jeanette to find new homes for the vehicles in his remarkable collection, and we so appreciate their philanthropic support of our charity efforts over the years.”
Check out this great video where John and Craig Jackson are interviewed about the collection and the Palm Spring auction.
Here are the ten top earners from the auction sales.
- 2012 Lexus LFA Nurburgring Edition (Lot 724) – $770,000
- 1959 DeSoto Adventurer Convertible – John Staluppi (Lot #718.1) – $330,000
- 1970 Plymouth Superbird (Lot #708) – John Staluppi – $286,000
- 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Custom Convertible (Lot #719) – John Staluppi – $275,000
- 2006 Ford GT (Lot #726.1) – $244,200
- 1959 Cadillac El Dorado Convertible (Lot #719.1) – John Staluppi – $231,000
- 1957 DeSoto Adventurer Convertible (Lot #720) – John Staluppi – $231,000
- 1956 DeSoto Fireflite Convertible (Lot #717.1) – John Staluppi – $225,500
- 1959 Dodge Custom Royal Super D-500 Convertible (Lot #718) – John Staluppi – $220,000
- 1960 Chevrolet Corvette 283/290 Fuelie Convertible (Lot #712.1) – John Staluppi – $209,000
To say John had some success across the auction block is an understatement. And to sell his collection at no reserve shows the confidence John has in his cars. And the totals don’t lie… one out of every three dollars spent on cars going across that stage were spent on one of the Cars of Dreams collection.
Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson had some great words to say about the outcome of the auction. “This year’s Palm Beach Auction is proof that it’s a golden age for car enthusiasts and collectors,” he said. “We are so thankful for our guests who joined us in Florida and spread their enthusiasm for this great hobby that we all love. We especially appreciate those who contributed to our efforts to raise money for charity. Together we raised $430,000 to help the American Heart Association and Camp Southern Ground move the needle on helping those they support.”
If you want to attend the next auction, you can join Barrett Jackson when they hold their 3rd Annual Northeast Auction event on June 20-23, 2018, at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn. For those of you on the West Coast or who are willing to travel, you can catch the last auction of the year when Barrett Jackson descends upon Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino Sept, 27-29, 2018 for the 11th Annual Las Vegas Auction.