Arizona Collector Car Auctions: Barrett-Jackson, RM Sotheby's, and More
Every January, Scottsdale becomes the center of the collector car world. Multiple auction houses descend on the area for a week of sales that set the tone for the entire market. Billions of dollars in cars change hands, records get broken, and the automotive press covers it like the Super Bowl. But you do not need to be a billionaire or a dealer to attend. Most of these auctions are open to spectators, and the experience is worth every minute.
Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale
Barrett-Jackson is the largest and most visible collector car auction in the country. Their Scottsdale sale runs for about a week in mid-January at WestWorld of Scottsdale, and it is as much a festival as it is an auction. They cross the block with over 1,800 vehicles, which means cars are selling constantly from morning until late at night.
The cars range from six-figure Corvettes and Shelbys to affordable project cars and late-model performance vehicles. Barrett-Jackson has always been more of a "no reserve" house, meaning most lots sell regardless of price. That keeps the energy high and the crowd engaged. You will see bidding wars, charity cars going for absurd money, and the occasional sleeper that goes for way less than it should.
Beyond the auction block, Barrett-Jackson has a huge vendor area, manufacturer displays, a collector car marketplace, and food vendors spread across the property. The Saturday night broadcast (televised on a major network) creates a party atmosphere that is unique to this event. General admission tickets are available daily, and you do not need to register as a bidder to attend.
A few practical tips: parking is a challenge, especially on weekends. Get there early or use the shuttle options. Bring cash for food vendors. And wear comfortable shoes. The WestWorld property is massive, and you will walk miles.
RM Sotheby's Scottsdale
RM Sotheby's operates at the opposite end of the spectrum from Barrett-Jackson. Their Scottsdale sale is smaller, more curated, and focused on the highest end of the market. The lots here include prewar classics, significant racing cars, and blue-chip collector vehicles that regularly sell for seven and eight figures.
The RM Sotheby's preview is worth attending even if you have no intention of bidding. The cars are displayed in a climate-controlled tent with museum-quality lighting and presentation. You can get close to cars that are normally behind ropes, and the catalog descriptions are detailed enough to be educational. Their Scottsdale sale typically happens at the Arizona Biltmore or a similarly upscale venue.
Bidder registration requires a deposit and financial qualification. Spectator access is available but more limited than Barrett-Jackson. Check their website for the current year's spectator policy and preview hours.
Bonhams Scottsdale
Bonhams (now Bonhams|Cars after their merger with The Market) runs a Scottsdale sale that fills an interesting middle ground. The lots are generally higher quality than Barrett-Jackson but more accessible than RM Sotheby's. You will find solid sports cars, interesting European classics, and the occasional oddball that the other houses might not take.
Bonhams typically holds their sale at the Westin Kierland Resort or a similar Scottsdale hotel. The preview and auction are compact and manageable in a single visit. The atmosphere is more intimate, and you can actually have conversations with the specialists about the cars on offer. If the scale of Barrett-Jackson is overwhelming, Bonhams is a more focused alternative.
Worldwide Auctioneers
Worldwide Auctioneers has established themselves as a serious presence during Scottsdale auction week. Their sale is typically smaller, around 50 to 80 lots, but the consignment quality has been climbing. They focus on American muscle, sports cars, and customs, with a few European lots mixed in.
The smaller format means you can see every car, attend the entire sale, and not feel rushed. Their preview events tend to be relaxed and social, with good food and drinks. If you want the auction experience without the scale and intensity of Barrett-Jackson, Worldwide is a solid choice.
What Auction Week Is Actually Like
If you have never been, here is the honest version. It is exhausting, overstimulating, and absolutely incredible. On any given day during auction week, you can walk through hundreds of collector cars, watch live bidding on vehicles you have only seen in magazines, eat decent food, and rub shoulders with collectors, dealers, restorers, and enthusiasts from around the world.
The energy at Barrett-Jackson on a Saturday night is hard to describe. The place is packed, the auctioneer is going nonstop, charity cars are pulling six figures, and the crowd is reacting to every sale. It is live television happening right in front of you, and you can feel the excitement in the room.
The contrast at RM Sotheby's is stark. It is quiet, refined, and the bidding on a $3 million Ferrari happens with almost no visible emotion. The paddles go up calmly, the auctioneer is measured, and a car worth more than most houses sells in under two minutes. Both experiences are worth having.
The other thing that happens during auction week is that the streets of Scottsdale become an informal car show. Collectors drive their cars to dinner, exotics park along Scottsdale Road, and you will see more interesting vehicles on public roads in one week than most cities see in a year. This spills over into our full Scottsdale Car Week guide, which covers everything happening beyond the auction tents.
Attending as a Spectator
Barrett-Jackson sells daily spectator tickets online and at the gate. Prices vary by day, with Saturday being the most expensive. Buy online in advance if you can. The other auction houses have varying spectator policies, and some offer free preview access with paid admission to the actual sale. Check each house's website starting in November for their current year's schedule and pricing.
If you are planning to attend multiple auctions, block out at least three days. Trying to see Barrett-Jackson, RM Sotheby's, and one of the smaller houses in a single day is technically possible but miserable. Spread it out, pace yourself, and leave time to walk around Scottsdale and see what is happening on the streets.
Attending as a Bidder
Registering as a bidder at Barrett-Jackson requires a refundable deposit (typically $500) and valid identification. At RM Sotheby's and Bonhams, the process is more involved, with financial qualification required for higher-value lots. If you are seriously considering buying, read the conditions of sale carefully. Buyer's premiums range from 10 to 12 percent on top of the hammer price, and that adds up quickly on expensive cars.
Have the car inspected before you bid if at all possible. Most auction houses allow pre-sale inspections during preview days. Bring a knowledgeable friend or hire an inspector. Auction cars look great under showroom lighting, but not every car is what the catalog description suggests.
The Market Impact
Scottsdale auction results set the market for the rest of the year. When a particular model sells strong in January, prices for that model rise nationally. Dealers, insurers, and appraisers all watch the Scottsdale results. If you are buying, selling, or insuring a collector car, paying attention to what happens here is not optional.
For a wider look at the Arizona car event calendar, check our best Arizona car shows guide. If you are interested in the local scene beyond auction week, the Phoenix cruise night guide is where most people start. And our classic car culture piece explains why Arizona attracts so many collector cars in the first place.