Next weekend, car-lovers can find a 1989 Mercedes-Benz Roadster, a 2007 Myers Sparrow Microcar and a 1950 Chevrolet custom pickup all in the same place, ready for bidding.
The car auction company Barrett-Jackson is coming to Columbus for the first time ever with a three-day auction June 25-27 at the Ohio Expo Center and State Fairgrounds. Collector cars, automobile memorabilia, food and interactive sponsor displays will fill up Barrett Jackson’s first weekend in the Midwest.
Nick Cardinale, COO of Quint, the company that handles VIP experiences for Barrett-Jackson, said the event will feature a no-reserve auction where a car will be sold to the highest bidder regardless of the bid amount.
“They get a lot more excitement in the room because every car pretty much crossing the block is going to sell,” said Cardinale, who was previously COO of Barrett-Jackson. “They do have a handful of reserve cars. It usually has to be a very special car, and it usually has to be like $1 million or more. But everything else there is going to sell, which makes it exciting for people coming in from out of town because they actually have the opportunity to buy the car.”
Cardinale clarified Barrett-Jackson is not just a car auction, but a “car festival,” with sponsored displays from companies like Ford, Dodge, Toyota and GM.
“It’s a big event,” Cardinale said. “They have so many things for people to do outside of just watching the auction themselves. They have major sponsored displays. They have a lot of interactive stuff for families and kids.”
Notably, Columbus was chosen for the occasion because it “checked the boxes,” Cardinale said.
“It’s got strong automotive culture,” Cardinale said. “It’s a great geographic location. And I think, it’s an audience that appreciates collective cars. And, Columbus is known to appreciate live events. It’s got a strong sports background.”
While the auction has plenty of general admission tickets for guests, there are also premium hospitality packages at multiple tiers, which include hotel bookings, transportation, opening night party access and better auction access.
General admission tickets to the auction are on sale in advance online or can be purchased at the box office onsite. Tickets start at $26.
Bidder packages begin at $100.
Reporting Intern Nora Igelnik can be reached at nigelnik@dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Going once, going twice: Barrett-Jackson to hold first ever car auction in Columbus
Reporting by Nora Igelnik, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
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By Nora Igelnik, Columbus Dispatch | USA TODAY Network
