Former President Bush helps Barrett-Jackson reach charity milestone

Cars that sell for charity have been part of Barrett-Jackson auctions from the very beginning, when the two Scottsdale, Arizona, families staged classic car parades to raise funds for a community center and library. In the ensuing 47 years, the tradition has produced some of the auction company’s most emotional highlights.

That tradition continued this week, when 10 vehicles were sold for a combined $6.21 million to benefit non-profits, with bidders spurred on by the presence on the auction block of former President George W. Bush, by Jay Leno, by Chad McQueen and others.

That $6.21 million also brought Barrett-Jackson’s all-time charity-car sales to more than $100 million.

“Our company was founded on the principle of charitable donations by my father Russ Jackson and his partner, Tom Barrett, and I’m grateful to be able to carry on that banner in their honor,” Craig Jackson said in a news release.

“This has been an incredible 47-year journey for our company, driven by our tremendous bidders, consignors, sponsors, celebrities and the entire collector car community, whose heart is only matched by their generosity and outpouring of support. The amount of good that has come from the $102 million we’ve raised together is simply immeasurable. But we’re not going to stop here as this is simply a milestone on our journey to continue to help those who need our help the most.”

Saturday also marked the first time in Barrett-Jackson history that a former U.S. President attended a sale. Bush was on the block to help Chevrolet sell a 2018 Corvette Carbon Fiber 65 Edition, which sold for $1.4 million to benefit The George W. Bush Presidential Center’s Military Service Initiative.

The 10 charity vehicles crossing the block, with all proceeds going to the charities, were:

• 2017 Ford GT, donated by Ron Pratte to benefit The Autism Society of North Carolina’s Ignite Program and the Autism Alliance of Michigan, $2.55 million.
• 2018 Chevrolet Corvette Carbon 65 Edition, donated to benefit The George W. Bush Presidential Center’s Military Service Initiative, $1.4 million.
• 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, donated to benefit Building for America’s Bravest Through the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, $925,000.
• 1988 Chevrolet Corvette 35th Anniversary Edition, donated to benefit the American Heart Association, $350,000.
• 2015 Pioneer Cedar One custom roadster, donated to benefit the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation, the Royal Canadian Legion and Our Nation’s Heroes Foundation, $350,000.
• 2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt, donated to benefit Boys Republic, $300,000.
• 2017 Ford F-250 pickup, donated to benefit ChildHelp through the SEMA Cares Foundation, $115,000.
• 1987 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Aero custom coupe “Project Prestone,” donated to benefit TGen Foundation, $100,000.
• 2018 Bennington 23SSBXP pontoon boat, donated to benefit the Mayshad Foundation, $100,000.
• 1996 Ford Mustang, donated to benefit Jordan Vocational High School, $20,000.

“We’ve been given a tremendous opportunity to enrich the lives of so many deserving individuals,” said Steve Davis, Barrett-Jackson company president. “Over the last 47 years, the collector car community has joined us to help our youth, those who struggle with disease and sickness, our nation’s military veterans and first responders, and so many others.

“We’re proud to be a catalyst for change and for reaching this incredible milestone and excited to continue this great tradition of charitable giving in the future.”