This story was just posted on the Arizona Republic (Gannett) web page:Barrett-Jackson sales down 20%
SCOTTSDALE - This year's total sales at the 37th annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event were down nearly 20 percent, but lower prices meant more first-time buyers could participate, according to preliminary figures released Tuesday.
Total sales were more than $88 million, compared to nearly $112 million in 2007, which also reflected 8 percent fewer cars sold: 1,167, compared to 1,270 last year. Figures include car sales and sales from the auction's extensive life-style pavilion.
The nine-day event at WestWorld drew a record 280,000 people through the gates to the world's largest classic car auction, a nearly 12 percent increase over the estimated 250,000 who attended in 2007. It also scored more than 100 million hits on its web site, and 39 hours of live coverage on the SPEED channel.
"Despite premature predictions, Barrett-Jackson showed that the collector car market remains strong and viable for collectors across the board," said Craig Jackson, chairman and chief executive officer of the Scottsdale-based Barrett-Jackson Auction Co.