Las Vegas Weekly

October 5, 2009 · 4:08 PM

Photo Gallery: Barrett-Jackson auction includes Leno, Willis vehicles

By Robin Leach

A limited-edition Shelby awaits sale at the Barrett-Jackson Inaugural Las Vegas Auction last year at Mandalay Bay.

Photo: Barrett-Jackson

In less than 48 hours, the largest collectors’ car auction gets underway for only the second time in Las Vegas, and once again it will be the ultimate Duesenberg! Collectors are arriving from across the globe to bid on everything from iconic vintage racecars to motoring memorabilia of the stars.

Craig Jackson, CEO and chairman of the Barrett-Jackson Auction Co., said: “Last year’s debut was so big, so successful and so well received, it exceeded our best dreams, and now this year we’ve even added to it all. Bigger and better doesn’t begin to describe it. We’ve arranged the finest and perfect mix of vehicles here in Vegas, and it will be a rousing experience that enthusiasts expect from us with the added dynamic that only Vegas can deliver.”

It all starts at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday with a spectacular road rally with more than 100 classic and collector vehicles on a 3.3-mile drive down Las Vegas Boulevard led by two drifting cars presented by Ford Motor Co. The rally also will include many consigned vehicles that will cross the block at Barrett-Jackson’s 2nd Annual Las Vegas Collector Car Auction on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at Mandalay Bay.

Craig added: “Like the vehicles in the rally, Las Vegas is a unique city, so it’s the perfect backdrop to showcase some of the rarest, most glamorous collector automobiles in the world. We’ve had a lot of success in Las Vegas and look forward to an amazing auction this weekend.”

Last year’s inaugural Las Vegas auction hosted more than 50,000 guests and sold over 500 cars for a total of $29 million. The event experienced an influx of qualified new bidders -- all 50 states, Mexico and Canada were represented -- with more than 650 of the 1,200 bidders being first-time participants. The top-selling car was a 1949 MG TC racecar that went for $313,500, with the additional top seven cars selling for more than $200,000 each.

“We can’t wait to provide the most action-packed Las Vegas auction,” said Steve Davis, Barrett-Jackson president. “The rally is another great layer of the entertainment value we’ve been building for the Las Vegas event. In addition, we’ve amped up the lifestyle offerings with vendors, parties and local charity support, so we’ve truly got something for everyone.”

Here’s a video on YouTube promoting the Barrett-Jackson auction:

Nearly 20 hours of the events will be broadcast on Speed. Among this year’s auction highlights will be a 1924 two-door Mercedes Benz convertible, a 1920 Model T Roadster, a 1940 two-door Plymouth, a 1965 Shelby Cobra Roadster and a 1959 Nash Metropolitan hardtop. In all, more than 700 prestigious old and new cars of every make and model, plus two showbiz surprises!

Jay Leno will be appearing on Saturday to help the auctioneers get the highest bid for his customized Star VMAX motorcycle. The proceeds of the sale will go to Bailey's Cafe, a community program that brings art education to some of New York's toughest neighborhoods. “Bailey’s Cafe is an arts program,” Jay said, “but since I didn’t have any Yamaha musical instruments to auction off, I thought I’d sell my Star VMAX, which was made by Yamaha.”

Action movie star Bruce Willis also is participating and will part ways with some American iron from his personal collection during the events. Bruce will sell his 1967 Chevrolet Corvette convertible, 1968 Pontiac Firebird 400 and 1988 Lincoln Limousine, all at No Reserve. Bruce purchased the Corvette in El Paso, Texas, while filming Last Man Standing; the Firebird has sentimental value from his childhood; and the limousine has ties to Moonlighting and Die Hard.

“These cars are special in that they correspond with important moments in Bruce’s life, both personally and professionally,” Steve added. “Like most collectors today, Bruce enjoys his cars. I imagine he has his eye on one or more street-ready muscle cars to replace the three vehicles he’s selling at Barrett-Jackson.”

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

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