In less than a week, the 38th Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction will take center stage in Scottsdale, Ariz. From Jan. 11-18, 2009, the all No Reserve auction will feature everything from muscle cars and classics to a historic vintage airplane, providing collectors with one of the most eclectic dockets in auction history. SPEED will broadcast nearly 40 hours of live, high-definition coverage of all six auction days.
“We’re just days away from another spectacular Scottsdale auction,” said Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson. “The successful sale in Las Vegas last October has given us tremendous momentum, leading to an amazing lineup for Scottsdale. The combination of our diverse offering and the lifestyle attractions away from the auction block make Barrett-Jackson truly special and the ‘main event’ of automotive gatherings in the Phoenix area next week.”
Provenance Brings it Home
A unique story, connection to the past or rare origin can turn a vehicle into a star collector car. Barrett-Jackson has been recognized for consigning vehicles like Carroll Shelby’s 1966 Cobra Super Snake in 2007, which sold for $5.5 million, a record for an American-built vehicle. This year, Barrett-Jackson has nabbed an impressive collection of history-rich vehicles for the Scottsdale auction, including the first production Ford Thunderbird (Lot #1295). The Raven Black 1955 T-Bird convertible was produced by Ford on Sept. 9, 1954, and represents the birth of Ford’s sports car program.
Joining the famous T-Bird is a 1947 Steyr-Allard racer (Lot #1304) owned and built by the legendary Sydney Allard, one of America’s greatest automotive pioneers. Sydney Allard drove the Steyr-Allard in the British Hill Climb Championship for five years, and it is the most documented, race-winning Allard of all time.
No muscle car represents America’s hunger for performance during the 1960s and ‘70s more than the Yenko Camaro. Barrett-Jackson will auction four rare Yenko Camaros and a Yenko Nova (Lot #’s 1276-1278) from the celebrated Gary Holub Collection. The group includes a Daytona Yellow Camaro (Lot #1278), also known as the “Preston and Lawrence Yenko”, that is one of only three surviving 1969 models personally sold by Don Yenko for use in NHRA drag racing.
Barrett-Jackson will also offer a rare 1929 Ford 4-AT-E Tri-Motor airplane (Lot #1307) at No Reserve in Scottsdale. One of only a handful of surviving 1929 Ford Tri-Motors, it has led a storybook existence, including being shot during the World War II attack at Pearl Harbor, dropping smoke jumpers and supplies to firefighters in Montana during the 1960s, and being extensively restored by aviation expert, Bob Woods. The Tri-Motor’s current owner, Dolph Overton III, is a former U.S. Air Force ace, and one of the most decorated Korean War veterans in the Unites States.
“These vehicles help people connect to a milestone, celebrity or special moment in time,” added Davis. “Just like owning a piece of antique furniture, rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia or fine art, documented provenance can bring history to life. Sitting in the Allard that created the company’s racing legend, driving a Yenko Camaro that launched a muscle car counter-culture, or piloting a plane that survived Pearl Harbor, makes you part of that vehicle’s story for all time.”
First Impressions
For the past three years, American automakers have chosen the Barrett-Jackson stage to auction the rights to first production performance vehicles and special editions with proceeds benefiting charities, and 2009 is no different. Rights to the first retail production 2010 Chevrolet Camaro coupe (Lot #1316) will be auctioned by General Motors at the 2009 Scottsdale event to benefit the American Heart Association. The winning bidder will receive VIN No. 100001 and can spec the Camaro to their liking, choosing from several colors, engines, transmissions and trim packages.
Ford will auction rights to the first retail version 2010 Shelby GT500 (Lot #1347.2) and 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor (Lot #1347), with all proceeds going to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The 2009 Ford Mustang FR500CJ Cobra Jet prototype No. 1 (Lot #1347.1) will also cross the block in Scottsdale. Built to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the iconic 1968 Mustang Cobra Jet, the 2009 model features the Supercharged 5.4 Cobra Jet engine and a bevy of performance upgrades from Ford Racing.
Corvette Heaven
America’s love affair with the Corvette is hotter than ever, and Barrett-Jackson will feed that passion in Scottsdale with 16 stunning ‘Vettes with National Corvette Restorers Society (NCRS) pedigree. The Barrett-Jackson consignment team worked closely with NCRS officials to verify awards and scores on each of these special Corvettes.
Headlining the group is a 1967 Corvette convertible (Lot #1327) that features a 427 c.i.d., 435 horsepower engine and the Lyndale Blue over black color combo. Fully restored in 2008, it captured two NCRS Top Flight Awards with a high score of 97.7.
Another highlight will be a 1963 Corvette coupe (Lot #1263.1) with a list of options. Honors for this 327 c.i.d., 360 horsepower split-window Fuelie include Bloomington Gold, 2-time NCRS Top Flight Award and a Duntov Mark of Excellence Award.
“NCRS is extremely pleased to be associated with Barrett-Jackson,” noted Roy Sinor, NCRS National Judging Chairman. “We are indeed proud that Barrett-Jackson has ‘stepped up to the plate’ so to speak, and acquired the NCRS ‘Award Confirmation Document’ for each of the 16 cars with NCRS awards. We are dedicated to maintaining the judging standards of our organization and are pleased that Barrett-Jackson and the Corvette enthusiast recognize the significance of these awards.”
Superstar Cars
Rock stars, actors and other celebrities utilize Barrett-Jackson to not only add to their car collections, but find new owners for their prized automobiles. This year in Scottsdale, rock ‘n’ roll icon Eddie Van Halen will auction a pair of Chevrolet classics from his personal collection. The 1956 Chevy 210 (Lot #1259) and 1956 Chevy Nomad (Lot #1259.1) will each be sold with matching, one-of-a-kind EVH Brand “Wolfgang” guitars, and a pair of red, white and black EVH striped sneakers.
The maroon 1956 Chevrolet 210 is a Pro Street hot rod built by customizer Jim Van Gordon. The car features a powerful 454 c.i.d. big block Chevy engine that pumps out more than 600 horsepower, making it suitable for the drag strip, while still street legal. Van Halen’s 1956 Chevrolet Nomad station wagon sports a classic “Cashmere Blue” and white paint scheme. The car underwent a frame-off restoration and features a 265 c.i.d., 210 horsepower “Power Pack” V8 engine, power steering and power brakes.
“Out of all the cars I have owned over the years, I hung onto the ‘56 Sedan and Nomad because I was closely involved in restoring and building them, so they are very special to me,” explained Van Halen. “I almost hate to let them go, but I don’t have the time to drive them. It kills me to see them sit there when someone else could be driving them and have the pleasure and joy of owning these beautiful classic cars.”
A 1984 Aston Martin Lagonda (Lot #1314.1), 2004 Mercedes-Benz S600 (Lot #1314.2) and 1999 Featherlight Vogue motor coach (Lot #1315) from the garage of the late Evel Knievel will be sold. The Aston Martin was Evel’s daily driver during the 1980s, and represented the daredevil’s flamboyant image. The one-off exotic features an automatic 502 c.i.d. big block Chevy engine, R-700 transmission, cream leather upholstery and a mirrored finish on the underside of the hood.
Additional celebrity cars slated for Scottsdale include a 1994 Porsche 911 Speedster formerly owned by Jerry Seinfeld (Lot #1321), and a 1969 Chevy Camaro convertible (Lot #1555), 1967 Toyota Land Cruiser (Lot #1556) and 1967 Jeepster Commando (Lot #1557) from the personal collection of country music star Alan Jackson.
Legends of NASCAR
Past and present NASCAR icons will be at Barrett-Jackson for the sales of numerous motorsports-related automobiles, including “The King” Richard Petty. Petty will drive a 1970 Plymouth Superbird custom tribute (Lot #1289) onto the block, which will be sold to benefit The Darrell Gwynn Foundation. The Superbird was built by YearOne, in conjunction with Gillette Evernham Motorsports, Musclecar TV and Bill Goldberg.
Jack Roush will be on stage to help auction a 2008 Ford Mustang GT ROUSH P-51A (Lot #1575.1). This 510 horsepower Mustang is No. 104 of 151 built, and will benefit Speedway Children’s Charities. Additional NASCAR-related cars include Tony Stewart’s 2007 Chevy Monte Carlo NASCAR (Lot #1575; to benefit The Darrell Gwynn Foundation), Jeff Gordon’s 2006 Chevy Monte Carlo (Lot #1274; to benefit the Hendrick Morrow Program), and a 2009 60th Anniversary NASCAR Motorcycle (Lot #706; to benefit Victory Junction Gang).
About The Barrett-Jackson Auction Company
Established in 1971 and headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Barrett-Jackson specializes in providing products and services to classic and collector car owners, astute collectors and automotive enthusiasts around the world. The company produces the “World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions™” in Scottsdale, Palm Beach, Fla. and Las Vegas. For more information about Barrett-Jackson, visit www.barrett-jackson.com or call (480) 421-6694.
