Barrett-Jackson;Poor TV Car Selection as Usual

**Sal C.** · January 18, 2009, 05:36 PM

Re: Barrett-Jackson;Poor TV Car Selection as Usual

I agree. B/J turns into more of a freak show every year. The highlight for me this year was watching Craig Jackson and Super Star Steve Davis squirm when Reggie Jackson's former ZL1 Camaro, which according to some highley regarded Camaro gurus has more issues than Life Magazine, stalled at $150,000.00 for what seemed like hours. That was good TV.

**Jay G.** · January 18, 2009, 07:02 PM

Re: Barrett-Jackson;Poor TV Car Selection as Usual

I especially enjoyed Steve (Bing Crosby) Davis' line during the interview w/ Speed. "Well the auction validates what we do." Same may hold true for the guy that serves you a Big Mac. He's validated as well. Lota double speak. Mecum On HDTV should be interesting. Noticed Dana bidding on the silver Z-28 I believe on Sat.

**Michael S.** · January 18, 2009, 07:40 PM

Re: Barrett-Jackson;Poor TV Car Selection as Usual

Barrett Jackson is not a car auction. It is a "Lifestyle" event.

It must be true, they said so on TV!

In 20 years of attending I never new I was on the cutting edge with my "lifestyle"!

**William D.** · January 18, 2009, 07:46 PM

Re: Barrett-Jackson;Poor TV Car Selection as Usual

I agree I recorded most of the entire auction, to watch only the cars I wanted to see. There were two many commercials, which means all viewers missed alot of cars. I checked the BJ website for final sale prices, and didn't see any of the cars I had interest in on TV, but they were listed on the website. BJ is all about gitz, alcohol, and seeing one's self on TV. The announcers didn't have the accurate information about the cars they were reporting on.

**Chris L.** · January 18, 2009, 08:06 PM

Re: Barrett-Jackson;Poor TV Car Selection as Usual

I watched most of it this year on TV and out of 40 hours they broadcasted, I think they would be lucky if there was 10 hours of actual auction for the whole 7 days. It was all TV commericials.The prices were way down, so I guess I hold my cars another year and see what happens. The copper colored 58 Vette custom was sold there 2 years ago for $225k and only bought $125k this time. Think someone got hurt??I couldn't believe the 55 T-Bird only bought 600K.I figured that car to be the million dollar baby, but the airplane won that seat. There was no shortage of yellow Vettes there. Craig Jackson got really dressed up for the event didn't he !!!!

Looked like he just got out of bed.

If I was making 18-20% on every car, I would be at least put a tie on!!Oh well, Mecum is coming up and they do a nice job.Don't think I will bother with BJ's Florida auction this year as it's sure to be a bust too.

**Warren F.** · January 18, 2009, 09:03 PM

Re: Barrett-Jackson;Poor TV Car Selection as Usual

I've watched this auction on TV for a few years now. This year was definitely the worst. You were lucky to view 2 cars auctioned before going to commercials!

The buyer of that T-bird was nuts for paying 600K! Despite Ford stating it was the first 'bird built...the vin serial says it all 00005.

**Loren L.** · January 18, 2009, 09:10 PM

Re: Barrett-Jackson;Poor TV Car Selection as Usual

Gentlemen: I have attended every Kruse/Barrett-Jackson auction since the beginning. Initially, Kruse was the B-J auctioneer. But, according to legend, Tom Barrett and Russ Jackson got tired of being sued because they were part of it and easily served when K did not pay their bills.
They decided they could HIRE auctioneers and control them as employees/contractors, ie B-J was born and Kruse did a seperate auction, not willing to give up their IRS deduction visit to AZ in January.
Since the beginning, these are NOT places to buy a car. Even with 2000+ value levels, would you run your business the way some people buy 6 figure cars at auction? If you would, just go ahead and close the business now.
They ARE, however, places for a hobbyist/car nut to SELL his car (he's found something else that he really wants - and is willing to ignore the time and $$$$$ that the scrapbook on the previous car reveals.).
But now you need to forget hobbyist and collector - and insert CUBIC DOLLARS.........and all of the problems that come with it.
Buy at your own risk. Here's a description (not a direct quote, but the essence I saw this week:
"This red _________________ was found in California, where it was apparently originally delivered, and discovered by the seller in a barn where it had resided for 17 years. This convertible is currently equipped with a factory fuel injection, the most desirable of all options for this year. For the person who wants the ultimate in appreciating historical collectibles, this is your car!".
If this has you reaching for your checkbook or your banker's home #, see counseling immediately.

**Stuart F.** · January 18, 2009, 09:37 PM

Re: Barrett-Jackson;Poor TV Car Selection as Usual

Good, Bad, or otherwise. I'd rather be watching the B-J car auction then the news and all the Mesiah Mania that we'll be bombarded with for weeks to come. I at least find it entertaining, just like my reading of these posts critiquing it. I'm a car guy and enjoy anything about cars. Ranks right up there with beautiful women.

Stu Fox

**Ara G.** · January 18, 2009, 09:43 PM

Re: Barrett-Jackson;Poor TV Car Selection as Usual

I have been to BJ Scottsdale, Vegas and Palm Beach for the past 5 years. It is a spectacle. It's a HUGE amount of fun, but NOT the place to buy a car. It is, however, one of the nicest car shows I have been to. That's it, a car show. You see friends, fellow car guys, etc. That's a show, not an auction. These guys don't look at the cars at all prior to bidding (most of them that is) and raise their hand because the car looks nice from 100 feet. I love going to the auctions, but to spectate and enjoy the show - not to buy. It took me 2 years to find 2 nice 67's, through searching, leads, driving, etc and neither was found at an auction. Was brow raising to see lot 987 and 999 (both small blocks) go for almost a 100K. Unreal.

**Don H.** · January 19, 2009, 12:37 AM

Re: Barrett-Jackson;Poor TV Car Selection as Usual

I have never been to the BJ auction but have been watching it since their first live TV broadcast. This year I discovered the best way to watch it. I switched to a computer on their live streaming feed when Speed showed commercials (if I wasn't busy doing other things). That makes it continuous auction and no commercials which was entertaining for me. No comment on values or trends. Don H.

**Dick W.** · January 19, 2009, 10:03 AM

Re: Barrett-Jackson;Poor TV Car Selection as Usual

Airplane brought about 50% of pre auction estimate. Pratt bought a bargain

**Jamie F.** · January 19, 2009, 01:47 PM

Re: Barrett-Jackson;Poor TV Car Selection as Usual

You cannot judge the auction by the TV show! I was there all week, and if you love Corvettes, you would love being there! I visited with the people at the NCRS booth, (thanks for staffing it!)
I spoke with long time NCRS members selling there pride and joys for way more than they thought it was worth. A '59 fuelie was the vette record this year at $200K. Nice '67's bringing $130K to $160K.
I saw vettes go for way less than they were worth, so you can't say don't buy there, because if you do, you'll miss some spectacular bargains.
Many, Many bargains from the Heritage collection! With many Vettes of all types.
Remember people, you see only about 20% of what goes on there on TV!
I spoke with many of the chevy and vette dealers that brought multiple cars and all of them were happy with the overall sales numbers, they lost on some and made out like bandits on others.
So in this very tentative economy, things went very well considering.
And speaking of the T-Bird for $600K, that car my friend is Historic, no matter how you look at it. I remember reading about that car when I was 15 years old in my Thunderbird books, and it's been in that family for over 40 years. In perspective, if your a car lover, and could afford it like Ron Pratt can, it was a bargain. And if you look close at the driver of it during the auction, that would be me.

**Jaime G.** · January 19, 2009, 11:16 PM

Re: Barrett-Jackson;Poor TV Car Selection as Usual

I also was there for 3 days this year and like years past it is a bit of everything. I also visited with our fellow NCRS members who were working hard in our booth and saw many cars which were of high quality, true and authentic. And yes there were some good buys. A 1967 400 air coupe (yellow) restored very well and totally correct sold for $130K+. The car was done very well and had a couple top flights under its belt. It had much paperwork and by the way it had been a 5 Star Bowtie car before someone decided to restore it. Regardless of how you feel about restoring Bowtie cars, how is that for provenance. For its price in my book, its the buy of the auction . Russo and Steele was the same, RM had the Grand Sport fiasco ,and Gooding had 2 corvettes of merit. Overall not a bad way to spend a few days with good friends and visit with other fellow corvette friends.
JG

**Eric J.** · January 20, 2009, 06:36 AM

Re: Barrett-Jackson;Poor TV Car Selection as Usual

Barrett-Jackson;Poor TV Car Selection as Usual

Barrett-Jackson;Poor TV Car Selection as Usual

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