Barrett-Jackson Detail Work Builds Professional Resumé

Image courtesy of Barrett-Jackson

The Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction in Scottsdale, Ariz., annually assembles a roster of rare and collectible cars that covet top-dollar bids, often into six figures. Collectively, the sales prices of the vehicles sold each year amass millions. In 2007, sales from the Scottsdale event totaled $112 million. Although last year’s auction sales total dipped to $63 million, attendance at Barrett-Jackson’s three events for the 2008-2009 season surpassed 300,000 people.

For many car fans, Barrett-Jackson represents the pinnacle of viewing stages. Besides those with hefty bank rolls and private warehouses, the event draws enthusiastic attendees and a national television audience with plenty of passion and appreciation for craftsmanship and vehicular beauty. It is the place for vehicles to be seen.

As such, for many detailers it is a badge of honor to spend time restoring and polishing one-of-a-kind cars that will come up for bidding. It’s one thing to detail a client’s BMW or Mercedes. It’s another thing entirely to restore and prim the first Ford Thunderbird ever produced. The rare 1955 vehicle was last year’s top earner at Barrett-Jackson, garnering a sales price of $660,000.

Among the vehicles up for auction at this year’s 39th annual Barrett-Jackson event, Jan. 18-24, is an original 289 Shelby Cobra (CSX2091) and a first production 1966 Shelby GT350 (SFM6S002). In fact, the GT350 is the first 1966 production Shelby built. Apparently, the first serial numbered ’66 Shelby was a standard 1965 Mustang that got pulled from the assembly line and modified as a prototype for the ’66 models. The GT350 up for bid was completely restored by Cobra Automotive of Wallingford, Conn.

For a local detailer, such as Evan Kirk, the opportunity to detail vehicles showcased during an event like Barrett-Jackson can be a resumé builder and a chance to enhance a professional reputation among a network of collectors who pay a premium to feel confident about the care of their vehicles.

“Vehicles that are sold and showcased at the auction that you have detailed is huge for the network marketing aspect of your business,” says Kirk, who has been in the detailing industry for 30 years, regularly servicing highline and exotic cars. “These vehicles are surrounded by pure enthusiasts who are always trading secrets and exchanging numbers of companies that they have gone to for work in restoring their vehicles. Since your work will be your business card, it is very important that quality is exceptional [to help] increase the opportunity for referrals.”

In his career, Kirk has been selected to detail some rare and unique vehicles for Barrett-Jackson events, including a 1957 Porsche 356 Speedster 1600S, 1963 Aston Martin DB4 GT, 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB/6C, and a 1956 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud once owned by Prince Charles and Queen Elizabeth II.

The high-profile nature of the event raises the stakes for detailers involved in preparing these vehicles for auction.

“It requires a different mindset and modification in your detailing process, and in some cases, different types of chemicals, since the end result could in some way affect the final selling price of the vehicle,” explains Kirk. “Most of the cars that go through the auction have gone through what is called a ‘frame off restoration,’ which means that the vehicle was completely dismantled, all components were restored to factory specs then reassembled. As a professional detailer, it is vital that the final step of the restoration, which is the detailing process, is consistent with achieving an original look.

“There is added pressure when preparing these vehicles,” he continues, “since most have a strict timeline that has to be met, and because of the high value, it is critical that the end results are consistent with the originality of the vehicle.”

In order to restore a vintage vehicle to its assembly line appearance, Kirk says detailers must understand the components and techniques that were used in the eras the vehicles were built, whether it was the 1950s, 1960s or 1970s.

“Most of these vehicles had single stage paint jobs, very simplistic motor configurations and many components that are quite different in appearance from today’s vehicles,” he notes. “Back in the day, tires had a soft satin finish not a high luster, rubber moldings had the same look, and painted surfaces didn’t look too wet.”

Although he once saw a ’57 Chevy catch fire as it was being driven off the transporter, Kirk says most problems occur during transport, requiring on-site touch ups of paint chips or the removal of scratches. Most of the detailing preparation, however, is performed prior to arrival at the auction site.

“Once at the auction the vehicle should only have to go through an appearance maintenance process — simple dusting and polishing procedures,” says Kirk. “Most auction venues do not allow major work to be performed on location, so it is vital that the vehicle is complete upon arrival.”

For more information regarding the Barrett-Jackson auction in January, visit the company’s Web site at www.barrett-jackson.com. Besides Scottsdale, the company also produces collector car auctions in Palm Beach, Fla., Las Vegas and Orange County, Calif.

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