Barrett Jackson Scottsdale 2020 Bag Policy

So, you’re headed to the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale 2020 auction. You’ve got your checkbook ready, you’ve been practicing your “casual bidder nod” in the mirror, and you’re absolutely ready to drop six figures on a 1969 Camaro you don’t need. But hold your horses—literally, because your horse isn’t allowed in—there’s a bag policy that can derail your entire day faster than a rusty alternator.

Let me paint you a picture: You show up with your favorite leather satchel, stuffed with snacks, a winning attitude, and maybe a secret banana. You walk toward the gate, confident. Then a security guard with the expression of a disappointed dad gives you “the look.” Your bag is too big. Your dreams, too small. Welcome to the velvet rope of vehicular capitalism.

The Bag of Shame

First, the hard truth: Barrett-Jackson enforced a strict 12” x 12” x 12” bag limit that year. That’s smaller than a microwavable pizza box. If your bag can’t hold a large pizza, it stays in the car—or you can rent an actual locker for a fee that probably exceeds the value of that half-eaten sandwich you brought.

I’m not exaggerating: I saw a grown man argue with security for twelve minutes over a drawstring backpack that was apparently exactly thirteen inches long. He lost. He walked away muttering about the founding fathers. It was more dramatic than the actual bidding on a 1987 Buick LeSabre.

And yes, they measured. Not with a polite glance, but with actual plastic bag sizers—like those things at airports that keep you from smuggling a fluffy llama in a duffel. If your bag didn’t fit, you had two choices: return to your rental car (a 2-mile hike in Arizona heat) or pay for a locker that costs more per hour than a mid-tier Airbnb.

The Surprising Locker Economy

Speaking of lockers, here’s a fun fact: the on-site locker rentals at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale 2020 were priced like concert merchandise. A small locker? $10 for a few hours. A large one? $20. That’s twenty dollars to store a bag that probably cost you thirty at a thrift store. But here’s the kicker: people paid it. Gladly. Because nothing says “I’m a serious car collector” like spending two crisp twenties to park a Jansport.

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But wait—it gets weirder. Some attendees discovered that if you wore a jacket with giant pockets, you could bypass the whole bag thing entirely. I saw a woman walk in with cargo pants that could comfortably hold a Pomeranian, a thermos, and a signed photo of Jay Leno. She smirked at the bag-check line like a secret agent. That’s the 2020 hack: become a human pocket.

What You Could (and Couldn’t) Bring

Now, actual rules for the uninitiated: You could bring a clear bag, but only if it was under the size limit. Yes, the same clear-bag trend that took over stadiums has now infiltrated the world of muscle cars. Imagine watching a million-dollar Ferrari cross the block while you’re clutching a transparent fanny pack that contains your keys, a granola bar, and your dignity. It’s intimate.

What was banned? Cameras with detachable lenses (sorry, aspiring YouTube car reviewers), selfie sticks (because nothing ruins a vintage Mustang’s hood like a $5 rod of aluminum), and—this is my favorite—outside food and drink. You’d think buying a car for $200,000 would earn you the right to eat your own bag of chips, but no. Concession stands only, pal. Hope you like $8 hot dogs.

2020 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction Pictures - Zero To 60 Times

One man tried to smuggle a bottle of water under his cowboy hat. Security found it. The water was confiscated. He later told the local paper it was “an act of tyranny.” I’m not making this up. The article is online. It’s titled something like “Man Loses Water, Gains Perspective.”

The Secret Trick That Saved My Day

Here’s the insider move that nobody talks about: use a car show tote bag. They’re flimsy, free, and often exactly the right size. I grabbed one from a Corvette booth, stuffed it with my wallet and a program, and walked past security like I owned the place. Did I look like a walking advertisement for fiberglass? Yes. Was I smug? Absolutely.

Also, if you’re a woman, wear a crossbody purse the size of a thick wallet. That’s allowed. Security will glance at it, nod, and let you through while some guy with a messenger bag is having a full existential crisis ten feet away. Gender equality at its most pragmatic.

Sticker Girl At Barrett Jackson 2022 at Jill Deleon blog

The Real Lesson

At the end of the day, the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale 2020 bag policy was less about safety and more about maintaining the vibe. They didn’t want you rolling in with a Costco-sized backpack full of contraband Twinkies. They wanted you present—present for the roar of an engine, the smell of rubber, and the sight of a man paying $10,000 for a parking spot (true story, look it up).

So here’s my advice: leave your giant bag at home. Bring only your phone, your credit card, and a level of confidence that suggests you know what a carburetor does. The bag policy isn’t the enemy—it’s the bouncer at the club of car dreams. And honestly, if you can’t survive three hours without a bag of trail mix, maybe you’re not ready to own a vintage Corvette anyway.

Now go forth. Bid boldly. And for the love of all that is holy, measure your bag before you leave the house.