Arizona auctions: Valley of the dollars

The next chapter in the battle for auction supremacy will commence this month, when the auction giants gather under the sun for the annual Arizona auction week.

Leading the charge is perennial powerhouse Barrett-Jackson, which gathers lots of cars and automobilia under one massive tent. Cars start hitting the block for the six-day auction on Tuesday, Jan. 17.

Barrett-Jackson will introduce its new salon collection, with a 1933 Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow, a 1947 Bentley Mark VI Coachworks by Franay and seven other one-of-a-kind vehicles.

Barrett-Jackson also will have muscle cars for sale, such as many high-powered rides from the Jimmy Richardson Collection and the original “General Lee” used in the first Dukes of Hazzard TV episode.

Crosstown rival Russo and Steele is once again bringing classic American muscle cars to the auction block. The Russo event will include a 1965 Shelby 427 Street Cobra prototype valued at more than $1 million, a 1976 Chevrolet Camaro “Cherokee” convertible expected to go for about $500,000 and a 1940 Willys All Steel Coupe, estimated at $150,000. Russo will get its four-day auction under way on Thursday, Jan. 19.

Out on the edge of Scottsdale, behind the Fashion Square mall, Gooding & Co. once again will auction off some of the most important makes and models. Topping Gooding's list is a 1956 Ferrari 500 Testa Rossa that is expected to sell for more than $2 million. Close behind are a 1930 Duesenberg Model J Disappearing-Top Convertible Coupe, a 1965 Ferrari 500 Superfast and a 1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 SV--all expected to sell for more than $1 million. Gooding kicks off its two-day auction on Friday, Jan. 20.

This year, Bonhams joins the Arizona auction fray with an Exceptional Motorcars sale on Thursday, Jan. 19, at the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Scottsdale.

Among other items, the auction has 51 lots from the David E. Davis Jr. Collection, and a restored 1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom I formerly owned by Marlene Dietrich.

There's also the 1954 Cramer Comet, an Allison V12-powered special with a custom roadster body.

RM Auctions will offer a 1957 Ferrari 410 Superamerica Coupe during its Arizona auction.

RM Auctions will return to the Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa, Jan. 19-20. Leading RM's charge are several Ferraris, including a unique 1957 410 Superamerica and a 1991 F40.

Joining the Italian gems will be a 1959 BMW 507 Roadster, a 1931 Chrysler CG Imperial Convertible Victoria and a 1914 Rolls-Royce 40/50 Silver Ghost Landaulet by Barker.

If you're looking for more affordable cars, head up to Silver Auctions at the Fort McDowell Resort Casino in Fountain Hills, Jan. 20-21.

From Barrett-Jackson, the Corvette Seminar ($10 admission) and the Meguiar's Car Care Seminars run daily from Jan. 19 to Jan. 22.

On Jan. 20, Russo and Steele will hold a seminar for collector-car enthusiasts with panelists Wayne Carini, Corky Coker, McKeel Hagerty and Steve Saleen.

By Brad Constant