Desert in Bloom

Fewer cars rolled across the block than in recent years during the auctions in Scottsdale, but the amount bid for the vehicles sold increased from last year, substantially in some cases. When compared to last year, sell-through was better, average prices per car sold were higher, more automobilia was purchased, and the number of people in attendance had increased as well.

Leading the way in the number of cars sold and sheer spectacle in presentation, Barrett-Jackson was able to sell all but three of the 1,294 lots presented for an impressive $90.6 million (a 32 percent increase from last year). The results for the Salon Offering Collection were equally as impressive with a record selling price of $2,915,000 for a 1948 Tucker Torpedo, an exceptional 1947 Bentley Mark VI by Franay for $2.75 million and a 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing with only 4,159 miles for a world-record $2.2 million for a steel bodied car.