A lot of the excitement at Barrett-Jackson auctions over the past 15-plus years has rolled across the block thanks to a strong partnership with General Motors.
The two powerhouses in their respective industries have teamed up to sell GM vehicles to raise more than $24 million for charity, including the most recent sale of the first mid-engine 2020 Corvette that sold in January for a whopping $3 million to enthusiast/collector/dealer/racing magnate Rick Hendrick.
“Charity vehicles are the soul of our auctions,” Barrett-Jackson Chairman and CEO Craig Jackson says “We’re proud of the funds and awareness we’ve been able to help General Motors raise through the years, and it was an incredible honor to welcome (GM CEO) Mary Barra to the auction block to be part of the sale of the first retail production 2020 Corvette. That was a real moment in history.”
That historic sale continued a relationship with GM that started in 2004 when the company first brought more than 30 vehicles from its collection to sell at the Palm Beach Auction. As Barrett-Jackson President Steve Davis recalled, “It was the first step, in my mind, to get their foot in the door and create some mojo – and ultimately maybe a sponsorship.”
Since then, other vehicles sold for charity include the first retail production Corvette ZR1 for $1 million for United Way at the 2008 Scottsdale Auction; a 2018 Carbon 65 Edition Corvette for $1.4 million for the Military Service Initiative (with former President George W. Bush on hand); and the last front-engine Corvette in 2019 for $2.7 million for the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
The relationship looks to pay dividends for charities across the nation in the coming years.
“GM and the company’s vehicles have been a key part of Barrett-Jackson events for decades,” Jackson says. “GM steps up to the plate and swings for the fences at every event, from Hot Laps at our Performance Track to blue-chip sales on the block. We are truly privileged to have them as a partner.”
Since 2004, GM has brought more than 500 cars to sell on the Barrett-Jackson block, with more than 50 of those for charity.
Source:
Barrett-Jackson
Related:
[VIDEO] Go Behind the Scenes with the VIN 001 2020 Corvette Auction at Barrett-Jackson
[VIDEO] Experience the Excitement of Watching the Last C7 Corvette Sell for $2.7 Million
Barrett-Jackson 08: [VIDEO] 1st 2009 Corvette ZR1 Sold for $1 Million
-
