Barrett-Jackson’s Five Highest Selling Cars

top-5-at-barrett-jackson-bannerAt the Barrett-Jackson auction held this month in Scottsdale, Arizona the top five highest selling cars were just awesome.  Whether you had a chance to see them on TV, in person during the eight days of the show or before all the ropes were in place (like us), you just knew these were drop dead perfect cars.

The cars were all awesome vehicles and had the right history and look to become stars.   Now what will become of these cars and how often the public might chance to see them again is anybody’s guess.

Remember the prices reported here include the buyer’s commission of 10%.  So when you heard the auctioneer gaveling the car sold at $3.5 million dollars, Craig Jackson collected a quick $350,000 in addition from the new buyer.  Plus from the selling price he collects a similar ten percent from the seller, so he grossed a commission of $700,000 on one sale.  Nice gig, huh?

Number Five

top-5-at-barrett-jackson-shelby-2

The fifth highest selling car was this 1963 Shelby Cooper Monaco King Cobra, sold for $1,650,000.  While “Cobra” is in the name, it ain’t a Shelby Cobra.  This was a purpose built sports race car, one of six, that Carroll Shelby developed off the English Cooper Monaco for SCCA’s Fall Series (later known as Can Am).  Ironically these cars were only competitive for the first year, before others figured out tricks to outpower the Cooper.  This unit is claimed to be the only original surviving factory team car in existence

Number Four

top-5-at-barrett-jackson-f300

The fourth highest selling car was the 1998 Ferrari F300 which went for $ 1,870,000.  It brings over 750 horsepower from a nearly 3 liter V10 engine, seven speed paddle shifter, and four wheel disc brakes.  Ironically this car never raced in F1 competition.  It was Ferrari’s test car.  Hence why it is so expensive to have a racing team/s in any series.  Still it is a beautiful and rare car.

Number Three

top-5-at-barrett-jackson-gullwing-3

The third highest selling car was 1955 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Gullwing which went for $2,090,000.  Dang, we love all variations of gull wings!  It has a 3 liter inline six cylinder and historic direct port fuel injection.  The design speaks for itself and is timeless.

Number Two

top-5-at-barrett-jackson-rebel

The second highest selling car was the Corvette, “Rebel” selling for a cool $2,860,000.  This was one of four made by Chevrolet with the racing specs.  After a great history of racing it was scrapped in 1972 and disappeared before Kevin Mackay, a well known restorer, found it.  It came with a L88 engine with open chamber heads, a rock crusher Muncie M22 4 speed and a dual disk clutch

Number One

top-5-at-barrett-jackson-67-l88-2

And the highest selling car at the Barrett-Jackson Auction w as the 1967 Corvette L88 that sold for $3,850,000.  For the limited production freaks, there were only TWENTY L88’s made in 1967 and this was the only red on red model.  Perhaps more surprising is, the odometer is only showing 11,800 miles on the odometer!  The seller is a well known name in Corvette circles and he certainly brought a real award winner to Barrett-Jackson.

Oh by the way.  Think Craig Jackson doesn’t know his cars and the market?  Four of these five cars were among the cars featured on the inside pages next to the front and rear cover of the Salon Collection catalog!

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Backup Pickup by Galpin Auto Sports

backup-pickup-3Galpin Auto Sports brought out the Backup Pickup to their display at Barrett-Jackson Auctions in Scottsdale, AZ this month.  This recreation was also seen last year at the SEMA Show and our friends at Hot Rod magazine highlighted it on both their blog and in the March, 2014 print issue.

Backup Pickup

This is a pretty wicked ride and was a crowd pleasing wheel stander, back in the day.   Outwardly the Ford Econoline looks okay with an awesome 60’s paint job.  But look closely and you’ll see the driver’s seat is on the right side and facing to the rear!

Paint

The paint job is a real trip and probably took weeks to plan and execute.  The truck sports a 427 stacked injected engine that puts out just shy of 1,000 horsepower.  Apparently Galpin has yet to put it on the track for a full out wheel stand, but that would be sight to see.  Back in the day, the driver actually had to peer out the right side of the truck to watch the track.  Hard to believe that this was all done in only twelve weeks!  (Although HRM said it was six months).backup-pickup-2

Up Next

Enjoy the pictures and subscribe to this blog to learn about the Mach IV Mustang that Galpin also touted at Barrett-Jackson.

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Gas Monkey Garage’s Ferrari at Barrett Jackson Auction

Gas Monkey Garage

The fun loving folks at Gas Monkey Garage are connected to three cars selling at the Barrett-Jackson Auction this week.  Funny how things can quickly change.  Last year a car, previously featured on Gas Monkey’s “Fast N’ Loud” TV reality show,  sold with little fanfare or publicity.

Camaro

Since then, Richard Rawlings sold a COPO Camaro at the Reno auction.    And he is now selling a CRC Camaro ready for the dragstrip.

Ferrari

Now the 1991 Ferrari F-40 that arrived at Gas Monkey Garage as a wreck; was fixed on the TV show and sold to Dennis Collins, his business partner, is a featured car on Saturday night in Barrett-Jackson’s Salon Collection.

F-40 Repairs

The folks at Gas Monkey Garage knew their limitations and imported some hired guns to help out on the frame and body work.  The Ferrari has less than 7,200 miles and is no longer a stocker.  The car was repainted black, rather than keeping it the original red.  The turbos are changed out (or enhanced), new shocks added and new seats were added, along with custom 18″ wheels in satin black.   The original aluminum V8 engine is intact with 2.9 liters displacement.

Given the rising fame of Richard Rawlings and Gas Monkey Garage it’ll be interesting to see what this thirteen year old car fetches.  Will the purists despise the mods or will a buyer want the car featured on Fast N’ Loud.

Tell us what you think!

 

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Bruce Willis’ Nomad has some humor

At any car auction, sellers are quick to point out the car’s connection to a celebrity.  While some stars are known for their affection to cars for others the connection is loose or weak.  It seems every few years Jodie Foster’s VW Bug runs through the auction, but really?  Jodie Foster?

Barrett-Jackson

So at this week’s Barrett-Jackson Auction, you wouldn’t be surprised that some cars come out with a connection to stars.  Simon Cowell is selling his Bugatti, while Gene Simmons is selling a Ford Truck that was first premiered at the SEMA Show.

Bruce Willis

But this Nomad’s seller shows he has a sense of humor – or a great copywriter. This 55 Chevrolet Nomad was previously owned by actor Bruce Willis.   The seller mentions he has a written note from Bruce stating ”the car brought me many years of fun, and happy memories”

1955 Nomad

The car has a Skyline Blue and India Ivory interior, and for some reason the engine was replaced with a 1966 Corvette L79 engine with a three speed automatic.  The hero card mentions Bruce’s association to the car seven times.

But the humorous addition?  See what the car comes with in this pic!

55 Nomad Bruce Willis

 

Afterburner Ford Fairlane by Ring Brothers at Barrett-Jackson

Ring Brothers 1964 Ford Fairlane “Afterburner”

The 1964 Ford Fairlane dubbed “Afterburner” and built by the Ring Brothers debuted at the SEMA Show in 2009.  It was eye-popping and showed the exceptional skills and vision continuously displayed since by the two boys.  We loved it then and love still today.

In the interim the Ring Brothers have continued to make a name for themselves and have produced a great number of jaw dropping cars.

Barrett Jackson

Now it is auctioning off at the 2014 Barrett-Jackson Auction.  This beauty is a work of art and has less than 1,000 miles on it since first built.  The Ford Windsor engine with a bored out 427 is spectacular.  The body modifications made by Ring Brothers is exceptionally eye pleasing.  Here’s hoping that more than one bidder falls in love , like we did five years ago.

What do you think it’ll bring on Saturday?

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Corvettes at Barrett-Jackson Auctions

Corvettes Rule

The number one manufacturer offered for sale at Barrett-Jackson?  Consistently, year after year – Chevrolet.  The number one model – no contest – the Corvette!

The Barrett-Jackson Auction starts on Tuesday, January 14th, and over the six days of car sales , with over 1400 vehicles offered up for sale – 136 will be Corvettes!  Hands down the Corvette will be the number one model sold.  Of course it doesn’t hurt that the Corvette, covering seven generations (or model changes), has been around since 1953.  But this is still a huge tribute to the American sports car.

Here are just a few pictures to whet your appetite – enjoy the sneak preview and let us know which is your favorite.

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Gas Monkey Garage COPO Camaro selling at Barrett-Jackson

Gas Monkey Garage Does It Again

Gas Monkey Garage, from Dallas and the stars of Fast N’ Loud on the Discovery Channel, will be auctioning off their last COPO Camaro at the Barrett-Jackson car auction in Scottsdale on Saturday January 17th during the first of two “prime time” schedules for that day.

Gas Monkey Garage COPO Camaro
Driver side view

COPO Camaro

The COPO Camaro was developed by Chevrolet to be a drag strip car and certified to NHRA certification levels.  Each year Chevy sells 69 units, which are NOT street legal, by way of a lottery system.  This past year Richard Rawlings and his partner bought out an additional 20 chassis’s from Chevrolet which are considered CRC- Certified Race Chassis.  So these come with the power train components.  Gas Monkey Garage then offered them for sale with either the buyer adding on the optional go fast components or leave with just the chassis.Gas Monkey Grage COPO Camaro Interior

Barrett-Jackson Auction

At the 2013 Reno Barrett-Jackson auction they sold a similar COPO Camaro, but one that Rawlings and his financial backer actually had a hand in building and was featured on Fast N’ Loud.

Of the twenty originally available only this one and a rolling chassis are left.  The one being auctioned lists as being the only one with the Gas Monkey Garage decals.  This one is offered at auction with a three speed automatic transmission instead of the more traditional two speeds.  And they stuffed a 454 LSX engine under the hood.

At the auction Barrett-Jackson has set up two time slots for their Salon Collection cars on Saturday.  The first will be from 1-3 (local time MST) and shown on the Fox Channel.  Probably the first time a car auction has been shown on nationwide television by a big four broadcaster.  They then have a second two hour block on Saturday shown on the National geographic Channel from 5-7 MST.

Prediction?

This COPO Camaro will be the third one sold.  The one in Reno sold for $137,500.    What do you think this one sells for?  Their web site shows the remaining rolling chassis originally was selling for $85,000  and now offered for $75,000.

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Photos Courtesy of Barrett-Jackson

Classic car auctions in Arizona

January in Arizona can only mean one thing!  It is classic car auction time.  Between all the car auctions being held in January, if you want a specific car this is the place to find it.  And if you want to sell your car, this is the spot that will have the most buyers available.  Most sites are held in impromptu tents on large pieces of vacant land.  In six days, six auction houses will descend on the Valley of the Sun and offer a collective SEVENTEEN days worth of auctions.  Surely a busy week for every car aficionado.

Barrett-Jackson

Craig Jackson’s dad was one of the pioneers in the classic car auctions and once again over 1300 cars will be sold over six days, January 14-19,2014.  The auction takes advantage of permanent buildings at Westworld in Scottsdale, AZ and will have live coverage on three networks, after SPEED dropped off the cable scene.  So the auction can be seen on Fox Sports1, Fox Business and National Geographic channels.  Remember when the TV turns on, the prices go up!  The funny cars and trailers from Don Prudhome and Tom McEwen recently popularized by the movie “$nake and Mongoose” will be for sale.

two car haulers and funny cars to sell at car auction
Haulers on movie set for Snake and Mongoo$e

Most of the cars are sold with no reserve, except for a select few offered for sale on Saturday during prime time

Russo and Steele

This auction run be Drew Alcazar starts up on January 16th and runs through Sunday the 19th in North Scottsdale.  Russo and Steele was the site of a horrendous storm where plenty of classics were damaged by uprooted tents a few years back, but Drew has persevered and offers a great event.

 

Gooding and Company

This British sounding group based in Santa Monica, CA  will be having two days of sales on the 17th and 18th of January at the Scottsdale Fashion Center shopping mall.  Last year they hit the fences with the highest selling car, a 1958 Ferrari California Spyder, which sold for $8,250,000.

Bonham’s

This auction is a one day affair on Wednesday January 16th at the Westin Kierland resort in Scottsdale.  It is interesting that they want to have their slots over with before the heavy weekend of car sales.

Silver AuctionFor sale sticker at car auction

Mitch Silver runs a low-key, unpretentious auction on the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation and they are known for good cars at fair prices.  They will be set up for Friday-Saturday the 17th and 18th as well, and expect 400 cars.

RM Auction

This site sneaks in for a quick two day sale on the 16th and 17th, again avoiding the hectic frenzy of  a Saturday auction, while being held in the venerable Biltmore Resort in central Phoenix.

Automobilia Scottsdale

First time entrant offering strictly automobilia from various dealers will be held for two days January 16-17 at the Fort McDowell Radisson Resort, the same site as the Silver Auction.  This is similar to the automobilia scene at Monterrey in August.  It’ll be interesting how this fares as most car auctions have some car themed pieces to sell before the cars run through.

Follow along on this site or on our twitter feed for daily updates

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