SCOTTSDALE, AZ–(Marketwire – October 15, 2010) –  

• Tom Barrett and Russ Jackson founded the “World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions™” in 1971
• Barrett-Jackson to auction four 1971 model vehicles from the “Barrett-Jackson Collection”
• 40th anniversary tour of “Barrett-Jackson Collection” to kick-off at annual Scottsdale auction

The Barrett-Jackson Auction Company will celebrate its 40^th anniversary with an unprecedented automotive lifestyle event in Scottsdale from Jan. 17-23, 2011. The milestone event will include a collector car auction at WestWorld, the 2^nd annual Scottsdale road rally, a cruise-in and many other exciting activities. SPEED will broadcast 40 hours of live coverage during the six action-packed auction days in commemoration of the 40^th anniversary. The company officially announced the celebration in September during the 3^rd Annual Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas Auction and will continue the festivities throughout the coming year at each of its events in Scottsdale, Ariz., Palm Beach, Fla., Orange County, Calif. and Las Vegas.

“Our 40^th anniversary will celebrate the automotive passion that has transformed this hobby,” stated Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson. “Barrett-Jackson is honored to be one of the catalysts for the mainstream acceptance of car collecting, and we’re excited to throw a party for the millions of people that have joined the hobby over the past four decades. They make car collecting a dynamic and vibrant pastime that we all enjoy.”

Beginning with the 40^th Annual Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction in January and continuing with the company’s other three events in 2011, Barrett-Jackson will offer bidders the opportunity to take home four collectible cars from the “Barrett-Jackson Collection.” These special cars will each be from the 1971 model year to commemorate the first Barrett-Jackson auction which was held in Scottsdale in 1971. One of the “Barrett-Jackson Collection” cars will be sold at each of the four auctions throughout the year. In partnership with SPEED, the four vehicles will travel together in a special Barrett-Jackson anniversary-themed transporter across the country to make special appearances at race tracks and grassroots events between the auction dates. Each car will then be delivered to its new owner in a special ceremony at the anniversary tour wrap up party during the September 2011 Las Vegas auction.

“We couldn’t think of a more fitting way to celebrate 40 years in the business than to throw a huge, coast-to-coast party for collector car enthusiasts from all corners of the country,” added Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson. “We realize that not all car lovers are able to make the trip to a Barrett-Jackson auction event during the year, so we decided to bring a little bit of Barrett-Jackson directly to their hometowns.”

Plans for the coast-to-coast tour are underway and will include stops at each of Barrett-Jackson’s four auction venues, including Scottsdale, Ariz., Palm Beach, Fla., Orange County, Calif. and Las Vegas. Between the auctions, Barrett-Jackson and SPEED will host events and promotions featuring the four 1971 cars from the “Barrett-Jackson Collection” at races and other automotive-themed events.

“We’re thrilled to help our friends at Barrett-Jackson celebrate their 40^th anniversary in style,” said Rick Miner, senior VP of production and network operations at SPEED. “By offering an unprecedented 40 hours of live programming for the 40^th anniversary of the Scottsdale auction and joining Barrett-Jackson in hosting the nationwide anniversary tour, we’ll be able to reach more collector car fans across the country than ever before.”

As the anniversary celebrations continue, a VIP package will be given away at each of the auctions, and a 40^th anniversary DVD box set with exclusive interviews from Barrett-Jackson executives will be available for purchase. To promote the events online, Barrett-Jackson is hosting a contest through its Facebook account, where 40 lucky winners per auction will take home tickets and merchandise. Additional details concerning the year-long promotions will be announced in coming months.

“We’re founded on a love for classics, Hot Rods, Resto-Mods, exotics and muscles cars, and the past 40 years have been incredible in many ways for Barrett-Jackson,” noted Davis. “We’ve launched three additional auctions, pioneered internet bidding, established unprecedented transparency and trust in the industry, brought the auction excitement to fans’ living rooms through SPEED and so much more. We know 2011 will be a year to reflect on our many achievements as an organization and look forward to a new and exciting future that lies ahead of us. Some say life begins at 40, and for the team at Barrett-Jackson, it couldn’t be truer. We look forward to celebrating our anniversary with our loyal fans, consignors, bidders, sponsors, exhibitors and other friends.”

Barrett-Jackson Auction Company will ring in the New Year and its anniversary at the 40^th Annual Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction, scheduled Monday, Jan. 17, through Sunday, Jan. 23, at WestWorld of Scottsdale. Barrett-Jackson is currently taking consignment requests and bidder applications. For more information, please visit www.barrett-jackson.com.

About The Barrett-Jackson Auction Company
Established in 1971 and headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Barrett-Jackson specializes in providing products and services to classic and collector car owners, astute collectors and automotive enthusiasts around the world. The company produces “The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions™” in Scottsdale, Palm Beach, Fla., Las Vegas and Orange County, Calif. Barrett-Jackson also endorses a one-of-a-kind collector car insurance offering for collector vehicles and other valued belongings. For more information about Barrett-Jackson, visit www.barrett-jackson.com or call (480) 421-6694.

About SPEED™
SPEED, anchored by its popular and wide-ranging coverage of NASCAR, is the nation’s first and only cable television network dedicated to automotive and motorcycle racing, performance and lifestyle. Now available in more than 80 million homes in North America, SPEED, a member of the FOX Sports Media Group, is among the industry leaders in interactive TV, video on demand, mobile initiatives and broadband services. For more information, please visit SPEED.com, the online motor sports authority.

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