How to Find Your Dream Car at the 2022 Scottsdale Auction

For those unfamiliar with the Scottsdale auction hosted by Barrett-Jackson, the treasure trove of cars both new and old will be a major missed opportunity. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the event billed as the world’s greatest auction of collector cars. The docket this year promises not to disappoint. 

What is the importance of this auction in particular?  

For starters, it’s hard to estimate the value of many collector cars if they haven’t yet been sold at auction, so any large-scale sales event can help buyers and collectors get a sense of where the industry is headed. Barrett-Jackson hosts the largest auctions of the year in Palm Beach, Las Vegas, Houston, and Scottsdale. Enthusiasts can also get in on the action by tuning in to the History Channel and live network broadcasts of the event. 

The Scottsdale auction will start this Saturday, January 22, and last through January 30th. Bidders can also register to bid online, but for some of these cars, to see in person is to understand the beauty.   

One of the most talked-about entries on the stage is a 2007 Bentley Continental GT owned by Bret Michaels of Poison, who is also throwing in a signed guitar for the winning bidder. Michaels plans to donate a portion of the proceeds to his charitable foundation, Life Rocks. 

For auction-goers and viewers who are not into ‘80s hair bands, there is something for everyone in Scottsdale this year. One in particular is a 1987 Buick Grand National “The Last Grand National”, collectors will have the opportunity to bid on. Rooted in American muscle car history, it is the last Grand National to roll off GM’s Buick production line in 1987.

Looking for something flashy? Racing enthusiasts can choose between an unrestored 1965 Shelby GT350, a 1969 Mustang raced by Sam Auxier Jr., and a 1970 Plymouth Superbird with a mere 6000 miles clocked.  

RH Sotheby’s is auctioning off the ultra-rare 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Coupe delivered . The 300SL, which will be auctioned off on January 29th, is only one of 855 models made in 1955 and from total production of only 1,400 from 1954-1957. All eyes are on this beauty, and with a proposed value from the Sotheby’s hovering between $7,000,000 and $9,000,000 the Coupe has the opportunity to set event records! 

There’s also going to be some overlap with the auction on Bring a Trailer, making this year’s showing an interesting blend of the old and the new. 

With the pandemic dashing many hopes to attend recent auctions in person, online platforms like Bring a Trailer have become a safe and sensible alternative to attending an in-person event.  

Vehicles are easy to submit online to the BaT website, and online messaging keeps the process transparent for both buyers and sellers. For those interested, it may be considered to be less of a hassle than selling in person, because the car doesn’t need to be taken in for evaluation. BaT will send sellers a professional photographer to document a submission.  

Too impersonal? Book a flight and head to Scottsdale this weekend to witness the buzz of the event up close and personal.