by Peter Corbett - Nov. 26, 2008 10:17 AM
The Arizona Republic
SCOTTSDALE - A prestigious collector-car auction will return to Scottsdale in January after its inaugural event netted $21 million in sales.
Gooding and Co. announced this week that it will return to Scottsdale Fashion Square on Jan. 17 for a one-day auction, joining three other Northeast Valley auctions that week, including the Barrett-Jackson Auction Co. extravaganza.
"Our 2008 Scottsdale auction was so well received by our clients and the city of Scottsdale that we are looking forward to more record-breaking results this coming January," said David Gooding, president and CEO of Santa Monica, Calif.-based Gooding and Co.
While Detroit automakers are on the verge of bankruptcy with slumping sales, the collector-car market has performed far better this year. And the four auction companies returning to Scottsdale in January are optimistic about their sales.
Gooding and Co. sold $64 million worth of cars at its Pebble Beach, Calif., auction in August.
Barrett-Jackson's sales totaled $29 million at its inaugural auction last month in Las Vegas.
Last January, the Barrett-Jackson, Gooding and two other auctions - Russo and Steele and Silver Auctions - combined for more than $135 million in collector-car sales in the Northeast Valley.
That included $88 million at Barrett-Jackson for 1,163 cars.
Gooding's sales topped $21 million for 77 cars, including $3.3 million for a 1959 Ferrari 250 GT California Spider, the top sale of Scottsdale's collector car week.
Russo and Steele Collector Automobiles did $19.8 million in business for its 305 cars.
The Silver Auction at Fort McDowell Casino increased its sales last January to $6.4 million.
Gooding's 2009 lineup of cars for Scottsdale will include:
• A 1932 Daimler Double Six car that was awarded the Best of Show award at the 1999 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.
• A 1937 Talbot Lago Teardrop Coupe.
• A 1933 Isotta Fraschini 8A used in filming the movie Giant with James Dean in 1955.
Gooding's auction is on the western edge of Scottsdale Fashion Square, northeast of 68th Street and Camelback Road.
Barrett-Jackson will offer more than 1,000 cars in Scottsdale.
That includes a black 1955 Ford Thunderbird that was the first one off the production line in Dearborn, Mich., on Sept. 9, 1954.
"It has been meticulously restored to original specifications and comes with plenty of documentation to tell its amazing story," said Steve Davis, Barrett-Jackson president.
The 38th annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event is set for Jan. 11-18 at WestWorld, northeast of Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard and Loop 101.
Russo and Steele, returning for its ninth year to Scottsdale, specializes in European sports cars, American muscle cars and hot rods.
It is offering a 1932 F-32 Roadster that was the Goodguys Road and Custom Association Street Rod of the Year in 2007.
Bob Mosier, a senior specialist with Gooding and Company, works the phone between cars for auction at the Gooding and Company car auction in Scottsdale last January.
