My son (17 years old) has been hinting that for a x-mas present he would like to get a trip, with me, to go to the Barrett-Jackson auction. I figure that at his age, there may not be a lot of father/son trips left, ie... jobs, girlfriends, school etc, etc. So I am looking into the possibility. Can some of you give me basic info on cost to get in etc. I will not be bidding, not in that tax bracket, just want to take in the whole experience and look at the cars. Please give me some guidance on what days to go, how much for us to get in etc... Thanks
I think this is a great investment for the both of you. I can't help, but I just wanted to say how great this idea is.
I also think it's a good idea to bond/travel with your son before he starts going off on his own travels. My wife sent me to Barrett Jackson about 3 years ago and I too was not there to bid on any of the high dollar rides but there to be around some great cars and talk with some very nice people, If I remember right I cost $50.00 to get into the "show" each day and theres plenty to see. I flew into Az. and went straight to the "show" all day Saturday and I went back Sunday before my flight home. Scottsdale is a nice town and I recommend the "Pink Pony" not for a lap dance but a pretty good steak ! Have fun. Rob
I sold my 48 there last year....so I was there Sunday thru Saturday. I really think you and your son would enjoy Thursday evening or Friday day the best......By Friday a lot of cars have been sold and transporters have already loaded them up. Saturday is such a zoo, I really dont think you would want to be there.....Saturday is good to watch on TV. Do Barrett Jackson on Thursday and Friday.....Saturday run up to Sedona and get a change of pace. Hotels in Tempe are a lot cheaper and are a 10 minute drive straight up the freeway.
hey Thanks for the info, thats what I was looking for. If there was enough going on outside the auction hall to keep us busy for a couple of days, Anyone else have anything to add?
Barrett-Jackson is quite an experience...been going to the Palm Beach auction for the last three years, most of the action goes on outside the auction tent. Vendors are everywhere and there are tents full of cars as far as you can see. one big car show. watching the actual auction is the best on Friday and Saturday night. Mr ****
+1 They damn near double the admission price on Sat, and it is so crowded that unless you are a bidder you really cant see anything anyways. Definitely check out Sedona while you are there. Rent an off road Jeep and take in the scenery. Sedona is awesome!
I always try to hit Barrett Jackson on the Friday as Glen said. It's less crowded and less expensive than Saturday. Also, there is a cruise night in Phoenix at 35th Av. and Northern on Friday night (a bunch of HAMBers show up there), and another criuse night in Scottsdale at the Pavillions shopping center (101 freeway at Indian Bend Rd.) on Saturday night. The Pavillions gig will be huge on BJ weekend.
I was there last year. Bidders p*** will get you on the stage and several free adult beverages a day but no food (nobody ever bought a car because they ate too much). You can stand just outside the stage entrance and see every car up close before it goes across the stage. You can see all the cars under the tents up close to your heart's content and you can see the high dollar rides from behind a rope. Vendor show is good and memorabilia auction is ok - same stuff on ebay. If the Busted Knuckle guy is there go see him - nice guy. Food vendors are good but a little high -duh Barret Jackson. Traffic in the morning can be slow. Don't take a taxi from Scottsdale to Mesa unless you have $100 bill. Best deals are probably early in the day or very late at night. They probably go to 2am or so. Wear comfortable shoes. Don't bring a jacket so you will have a good excuse to buy a SoCal jacket. Have Fun
Most probley won't agree with me BUT I have yet to steer you wrong.....right?? Dress appropriately. Leave the t-shirts for the night time cruzn action and wear polo or other collared shirt to the auction. Kakai slacks and deck shoes wouldn't hurt either and I would suggest this type of dress for your son as well. It's a sad fact BUT the "nicer" you dress, the "nicer" you will be treated. Dressed up, your son might be offered special "privledges" by owners of cars that he might not otherwise have gotten if he was dressed like some teenagers dress nowdays. Have fun, it's going to be a GREAT trip for the both of you.
Like Mr. ****, I've been attending the Palm Beach events for a couple of years now. Prices for tickets will be on the Barrett-Jackson website when the event date gets near and, if I'm not mistaken, you can buy your ticks on line at the website. It's a trip! My boss won his bid on these two beauties last April http://www.laroke.com/larryk4674/2007/henry.htm http://www.laroke.com/larryk4674/2007/frankie.htm
What about going early in the Week? Sunday, Mon, Tues??? is this a good time to go or is all the action on the last 3 to 4 days. According to the BJ site, Sunday is "family Day" and Monday that have auction preview thing going on. Thoughts?
I would encourage you to check out the other auctions going on as well. Usually RM (http://www.rmauctions.com/Events.cfm), Russo and Steele (http://www.russoandsteele.com), Me*** (http://www.me***auction.com/index.cfm), Kruse (http://www.kruse.com/home/index.asp) and others have events the same week. That way you get a good variety of cars, people, auction styles and a healthy does of reality in today's collector car market. To experience the real thrill of Barrett Jackson go Friday night and or Saturday. Have fun and remind your son the harder he works in school and life the more likely he is to come back as a buyer!
Are you going to see the cars, the actual auction or do you want to see "the scene" Also, how long are you going to be here? It's a great "guy's" scene. My dad and I went all 8 days last year!
Every day is family day I saw many grandfathers with their granddaughters. . .I am sure they were granddaughters. . .they were sure young enough to be granddaughters. . .maybe they all were not granddaughters. . .
I would have to agree on Friday. And, you will see a REALLY good car show outside and more trophy wives and ******s, guess they're really the same thing, than you ever thought possible. There is more plastic and blonde hair there than any one spot on earth. Gets to where you just smile and shake your head.....................
The cruise night at the Scottsdale Pavillions (about 10 min from Barrett Jackosn) is killer that Saturday. Jam Packed full of cars. More than just the high dollar cars of Barrett. A great variety to be seen. Plus, Hit Desert Valley Auto parts and see about 5000 cl***ic cars in a salvage yard in Phoenix.
you need to be there Fri,Sat for sure. Thursday is good but the weekend is the best. That is when all the crazies show up with more dollars than sense. Entrance fee was 50.00 last year but I think you can buy a 3 day ticket way cheaper. Sat nignt is the Pavillions car show on Indian Bend and Pima Rd with plenty of cars and a diner across the street called the 5 & diner for great food and milkshakes. The are tons of great hotels in north Scottsdale to stay at. Make sure you book soon it will get filled up fast. I have been selling there for the last 5 years and both of the cars on my avitar picture (mine&glens) sold there last year. It is great fun and your son would love it. That would definetly be a perfect bonding vacation. You can't find a nicer event to go to. Not only are the vehicles top notch but the vendors will blow you away with the quality of products they have. Also ford always has a huge showing of new product and a large drift track display with plent of tire smokin action.
<P>Most probley won't agree with me BUT I have yet to steer you wrong.....right??<IMG cl***=inlineimg ***le="Big Grin" alt="" src="http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" border=0> Dress appropriately. Leave the t-shirts for the night time cruzn action and wear polo or other collared shirt to the auction. Kakai slacks and deck shoes wouldn't hurt either and I would suggest this type of dress for your son as well. It's a sad fact BUT the "nicer" you dress, the "nicer" you will be treated. Dressed up, your son might be offered special "privledges" by owners of cars that he might not otherwise have gotten if he was dressed like some teenagers dress nowdays.</P> <P> </P> <P><FONT size=6>totally disagree.......<IMG alt=0 src="http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/images/smilies/mad.gif" border=0 smilieid="8"> <IMG alt=0 src="http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/images/smilies/mad.gif" border=0 smilieid="8"> <IMG alt=0 src="http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/images/smilies/mad.gif" border=0 smilieid="8"> </FONT></P> <P><FONT size=3>I think that is a real discouraging statement to anyone. People don't need to change how they are for a high profile event. Remember these people are car people. Ron Pratt is one of my neighbors and he wore jeans last year. In case you didn't catch him on Speed Channel live coverage he is the gentleman that bought the 5 million dollar Super Snake and the Futureliner bus, ect, ect. The man is multi rich and still treats everyone around him with respect. His personal car collection will tear your eyes but every year he has a free open house to the community and shows up and talks to everyone. Yes there are some stuck up yuppies at Barrett but please don't change your apperance for them. I sold a $50,000 car there last year in a t-shirt, levis and chuck taylors. I don't want to offend anyone with this statement but that sounds like a sellout for anyone to chance there apperance for better treatment. Be who you are because it truely is "who you are not what you have". Justin</FONT></P>
This debate can only be framed in whether you have that p*** hanging from your neck that says "BIDDER" or not That gives you the "cred" to not have to dress to impress Of course anyone can wear whatever they want, but why look like a stroke?
Everyone is en***led to their own opinions. I speak from my own experiences...and yes, I have attended Barrett Jackson and other high end/concourse events. I certainly dress "up", ie, car dress, nice sandels and large fancy hat when I attend Eyes on Designs at the Edsel Ford Estate here in Detroit and other types of events like these, AND when I attend a traditional style hot rod show I wear a car t-shirt, Chucks and a ball cap. Would I be "treated" differently at either event if I was dresswed differently?? I certainly think so and I can give an example. The Eyes on Design Event has a food tent for exhibitors only. I visited the tent a couple of times throughout the day and was never asked for "creditials" to get in. Dressed in jeans, car t-shirt and ball cap and I'm sure I would have been. On the flip side if I wore a dress and fancy hat to BilletProof I'm sure all my HAMB buds would point and laugh and ask "why"? I have LOTS of local friends that are bidders and sellers at BJ that attended in jeans and such AND I have ones that attend in the attire that I previously suggested. It's of course a personal choice. I was making a suggestion/observation for a first time visitor who might not realize how SOME people dress while there. Not saying it's right or wrong BUT people are treated differently in the real world depending on how they are dressed AND how they act. I could give a ton of personal examples in my working enviroment as well but I think I've clearly stated MY view.
The Jalopy Journal
