If you’ve been in the business of car collection for very long, you’ve likely heard of the Pratte collection. Phoenix construction magnate, Ron Pratte, owner of Pratte Development Co. has a net worth of over $350,000,000, and his car collection only makes sense with that kind of worth. Pratte’s collection, which he has worked hard to amass at auctions like Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale over the last decade, will be placed back on the chopping block at the 2015 Scottsdale event, and estimates are through the roof for what his collection will bring.
Last year, after the passing of avid collector, Malcolm Pray, his Figoni et Falaschi-bodied 1937 Delehay 135 Competition Court Torpedo Roadster was sold at Scottsdale for a whopping $6.6 million, 10% over the estimated sale price. With the sale of the Roadster, in addition to a hot-auction year, Scottsdale had a record breaking auction.
This coming auction, if all goes according to plan, will push the envelope even further and result in huge sales for Barrett-Jackson, since the Pratte collection is being valued at over $50 million. With over 100 cars in his collection, as well as 1400 pieces of automotive memorabilia, we could see numbers well over $150 million for the upcoming auction.
Among Pratte’s collection will be the only 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake in existence, one that was owned by Carroll Shelby himself. Pratte originally purchased this car at Scottsdale in 2007 for over $5 million.
Also up on the block will be Pratte’s 1950 GM Futurliner Parade of Progress tour bus, a 1954 Pontiac Bonneville Special Motorama concept, and a number of other rare and unique items we will learn more about closer to time.
In addition to the exciting possibility of record breaking numbers, this will be the first year the entire event will be given live television coverage for 36 hours of the event! Discovery Channel and Velocity have partnered together to bring premiere coverage to the 44th annual Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction, starting on Tuesday, January 13th, and ending at Sunday, January 18th at 7 p.m. The agreement the networks struck with Barrett-Jackson is the beginning of 100 hours of live coverage of their events throughout the year on a show titled The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions™.
Planning to take a trip to Scottsdale for the upcoming auction in January? If so, give Classic Auto a call to make sure all of your policies are up to date and you have proper coverage before you travel. Also remember that we offer free, instant quotes on any care you may bid on or purchase at auction. Give us a call at 888-901-1338 to chat with one of our classic car insurance experts!
