Page 12 - Barrett-Jackson_Experience_Spring2021

BEHIND THE SHADES

STEVE DAVIS

STEVE DAVIS’ DARK GLASSES PROTECT HIS EYES FROM
A LIGHT SENSITIVITY CONDITION – BUT THAT DOESN’T
TOP: WestWorld in January 1989.
HINDER HIS VISION OF THE COLLECTOR CAR MARKET. CENTER: WestWorld in January 2020.

THE UPCOMING 2021 SCOTTSDALE AUCTION will be flatbed from down on the flooded field to up on the
a memorable event in many ways. Not only is Barrett- blacktop on the midway. Little did I know I had started
Jackson now into its 50th year in business, but I am something: A long line of consignors started to form at
celebrating my 25th anniversary with the company, that tow truck! Since then we have worked closely with
working alongside Craig Jackson. We’ve been through the City of Scottsdale and flooding on the polo field is a
a lot together during that time – some good times and thing of the past, but it was a trying time and we made
some trying times – but through it all we always rise the best of it.
to the occasion, and it’s because of the great people Whether it’s the side effects of storms or more
who’ve been a part of our growth, not just within our monumental events, one of the things I’m most proud
own company, but also our fans, consignors, bidders, of is that we’ve been so dedicated as a team at Barrett-
sponsors, exhibitors and everyone who shares this great Jackson, and so focused on overcoming adversity.
collector car hobby with us.
I remember feeling a certain amount of fear and
I was a consignor for many, many years before uncertainty as we watched the bombardment of Kuwait
officially joining the team, so I gained a unique unfold on big screens in the auction arena in January
perspective from the standpoint that I’ve seen the 1991, in between cars going across the block. Fast-
company from both sides. I began bringing cars to forward one decade, to 2001 and 9/11. I was talking to
Barrett-Jackson at the beginning of the ’80s. When Craig on the phone after the first plane flew into the
the move to WestWorld happened in 1989, I got my tower. We were well into the consignment process for the
first taste of what was to become a Barrett-Jackson 2002 Scottsdale Auction.
trademark: overcoming adversity.
Our inaugural Las Vegas Auction was held in 2008. We
We consignors had parked our cars down on the polo were setting up the auction and the Dow was dropping
field, and a big storm rolled in, dumping several inches like a boat anchor every time we turned around; people
of water on the field. I remember Craig and his brother were seeing their net worth literally dissolve in front
Brian down there, doing triage, trying to dry everything of their eyes. The next major catastrophic event was
off with blowers, and finally resorting to putting straw again in Vegas, but it was different: the mass shooting
down on the ground. But then I had an idea. I called at Mandalay Bay in 2017. We were holding our event at
an outside tow truck and had my cars hauled on a Ground Zero in a matter of weeks.

12 BARRETT-JACKSON EXPERIENCE SPRING 2021