Barrett-Jackson Dazzles With Classic Cars, Celebrities And World Record Prices

    SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Jan. 22 Hollywood celebrities,
professional athletes, rock stars, legends from the world of professional
racing and hundreds of thousands of car collectors and enthusiasts parked in
Scottsdale, Ariz., over the weekend for the annual Barrett-Jackson Classic Car
Auction, presented by Dodge-Chrysler-Jeep.
     The Barrett-Jackson Auction Company once again defied the economic
uncertainties by experiencing another record-breaking year.  An unrivaled
selection of Carroll Shelby Cobras and GTs, American classics and muscle cars,
pedigree European sports cars and show winning Hot Rods were sold on the
auction podium at the 32nd annual edition of what is internationally
recognized as the barometer of the industry, and tagged as "The World's
Greatest Classic Car Auction."
    According to Barrett-Jackson President Craig Jackson, this year's sale
clearly demonstrated the classic car market is a ripe alternative to the
volatile stock market.  "We are seeing a continuing trend that our bidders
prefer to drive away in an investment rather than relying on traditional means
of diversifying their stock portfolio," said Jackson.
    Throughout the four-day auction, crowds exceeding 165,000 people watched
as prices paid on the auction podium skyrocketed and bidders vied for an
unparalleled selection of collector cars.  "This year's auction saw top prices
paid in nearly all categories of cars," commented Jackson.  "We also exceeded
a number of previously established world record prices for certain car
models," continued Jackson.
    Record prices were achieved for a number of cars including:
1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS396 Convertible at $97,200; a 1958 Edsel Bermuda Woody
Wagon at $31,000; a 1970 Plymouth Superbird 426 Hemi Coupe at $145,800;
a 1967 Chevrolet Corvette 427/435 Coupe at $124,200; a 1970 Dodge Coronet R/T
426 Hemi Hardtop at $183,280 and a 1970 Mercury Cougar XR7 Convertible
at $48,600.
    Of the nearly 800 cars, an impressive 90 percent of the lots were sold,
pushing total sales volume over $27 million and surpassing previous
Barrett-Jackson records.
    Among the attendees who were either bidding or selling cars at this year's
auction were actors Don Johnson and Tim Allen; Arizona Cardinal Jake Plummer
and Baseball Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson; and rock music's Alice Cooper,
Bob Seger, and Mark Anthony of Van Halen.  American automotive icon Carroll
Shelby saw two of his new creations sell with frenzied bidding, including the
1967 Shelby GT500E "Eleanor" that sold for a record $194,400.
    The highlight of the auction occurred when Don Johnson drove his
1970 Plymouth 'Cuda Convertible from "Nash Bridges" onto the auction block
with friend and series co-star Cheech Marin.  The actors encouraged lively
bidding activity that resulted in a record sale of $148,500.
    Johnson's 1989 Ferrari Testarossa, a gift from Ferrari during Johnson's
involvement in the "Miami Vice" series, sold for $88,560.
    The top price paid on the auction block went to the 1967 Ford GT40 Mark I
at $347,760, followed by $318,600 paid for a 1967 Ford GT40 Mark III.  Other
top sales included a 1932 Auburn Cabriolet Coupe at $180,360 and a 1950
Bentley Mk VI Graber Drophead Coupe for $162,000.  Hot Rod sales continued to
be strong and were led by the 1933 Ford Ardun Roadster which sold for
$156,600.
    NHRA legend Darrell Gwynn was joined by 12-time Top Fuel champion
John Force during the sale of his one-of-a-kind Darrell Gwynn Top Fuel
dragster display car.  Featuring the New York Yankees paint scheme and signed
by members of the 2002 New York Yankees baseball team and coaching staff, the
car was auctioned for $48,600.  All net proceeds from the sale benefited the
Darrell Gwynn Foundation, a research-based organization that exists to
prevent, provide for and ultimately cure spinal cord injuries and other
debilitating diseases.
    This year's auction kicked off with the Opening Night Gala and 80th
birthday celebration for Carroll Shelby.  Recognizing his contribution to the
automotive world, Shelby was joined by legendary drivers Dan Gurney, Bob
Bondurant, Parnelli Jones, Aire Luyendyke, Augie Pabst and Bobby Rahal.
Shelby received a commemorative trophy specially commissioned by Edsel B. Ford
II and a birthday greeting from fellow Texan, President George W. Bush.
    Each year the Barrett-Jackson Auction reaffirms its leadership position in
the collector car market by elevating consignment standards, breaking annual
records, and serving as the barometer for market trends.  A listing of the
sales prices can be found at
http://www.barrett-jackson.com/auctionresults/byevent.asp and images of the
cars sold at the Scottsdale auction can be found on the Barrett-Jackson Web
site at http://www.barrett-jackson.com .  The auction is televised live each year on
the Speed Channel television network and two re-broadcast shows will begin
airing in the next few weeks.  For information on dates and times visit
http://www.speedtv.com .
    For information about the inaugural Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Auction in
Palm Beach, Florida scheduled for April 11th - 13th at the South Florida Expo
Center, visit http://www.barrett-jackson.com .
    The 33rd Annual Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Auction is scheduled for
January 22-25, 2004.

    For further information, please contact:  Timothy McGrane of
Barrett-Jackson, +1-480-421-6694, ext. 125, emedia@barrett-jackson.com ;
or Jake Saylor of Martz Public Relations, +1-480-998-9590, ext. 324,
jsaylor@martzpublicrelations.com , for Barrett-Jackson.