SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – December 13, 2007 – In just 30 days, the Barrett-Jackson Auction Company will kick off their 37th Annual Collector Car Event with the finest selection of vehicles in their legendary history. Shelbys and Stingrays, Rolls Royces and Road Runners, ‘Cudas and Caddies and Bel Airs and Benzes will join comeback classics, concepts from Italy, customs from Barris and cars from the stars to be sold at No Reserve on Jan. 12-20, 2008, in Scottsdale, Ariz. Hailed as “The World’s Greatest Collector Car Events?,” the Scottsdale auction will feature over 1000 of the world’s top collector vehicles and lavish lifestyle events. SPEED will broadcast live during all six auction days.
“With the consignment process completed, we’re beginning the home stretch toward our most diverse, star-studded auction in the thirty-seven year history of Barrett-Jackson,” said Craig Jackson, Chairman/CEO of the Barrett-Jackson Auction Company. “While some rely on certain niches to attract a specific group of bidders, we pride ourselves on covering every segment in the growing collector car world. Muscle cars, pre-war gems, resto-mods, entry level cars and outrageous custom machines from across the globe will all be well-represented at our 2008 Scottsdale event. Anyone who thought we couldn’t top last year’s excitement is in for a wild ride.”
First in Line
For the world’s top automotive companies, Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale event has become the ultimate stage to display, promote and even sell their newest products. That concept will reach a new level when the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 badge No. 1 (Lot #1331) and a special one-of-one 2008 Ford Shelby GT500KR (Lot #1300) are sold at No Reserve in Scottsdale. In addition, the Challenger’s winning bid will benefit Not My Kid, Inc., while the Shelby GT500KR’s proceeds will go to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
“Two of the most sought after vehicles from America’s unforgettable muscle car era are back and available only at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale,” noted Jackson. “Thanks to our partners at Ford and Chrysler, we’ll give the KR and the Challenger the ultimate welcome back party and raise money for two worthy charities.”
The Classics
Returning to Scottsdale will be another unprecedented stable of muscle cars, led by a vintage Shelby Mustang from each year that performance legend Carroll Shelby produced his street-ripping 1960’s classics. The highlight of the crop will be Mr. Shelby’s personal 1969 GT500 convertible (Lot #1287), followed by a pristine 1967 GT500 (Lot #1318) originally gifted by Carroll to his son, Mike Shelby.
Bidders with MOPAR muscle on their lists will want to be near the Barrett-Jackson block for Lot #1274, a rare burnt tan metallic 1970 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda 2-door hardtop, and Lot #1270.1, a dark green metallic 1969 Dodge Hemi Charger 500 2-door hardtop with less than 1,500 original miles.
One-off concept cars from the ’50s and ’60s are an intriguing segment that is once again poised to turn heads. Barrett-Jackson snagged prime examples of these rare classics in the 1963 Pininfarina-bodied Chevrolet Corvette “Rondine” (Lot #1304) and the 1963 Ford Thunderbird “Italien” (Lot #1306). These cars managed to escape the “crusher” that destroyed most concepts and demonstrate a beautiful mixture of American tradition and Italian panache.
Barrett-Jackson has also attracted a world-class collection of pre-war beauties that will parade across the auction block. Underscoring this segment is an immaculate 1933 Duesenberg Dual Cowl Phaeton (Lot #1311), a rare 1935 Rolls Royce Phantom II sport coupe (Lot #1312) and a 1929 Ruxton Prototype Muller front drive roadster (Lot #1313).
“Muscle cars and pre-war classics represent two of the most important eras in automotive history,” added Steve Davis, President of Barrett-Jackson. “Likewise, they attract collectors from opposite ends of the hobby. Our ability to draw these unique and diverse personalities to our events creates an atmosphere than can’t be matched. Rare, numbers-matching muscle cars and top-notch pre-war automobiles will always demand high prices. Only at Barrett-Jackson will you witness the excitement and diversity that these vehicles represent.”
Big, Bad and In Control
The consignment team has also secured some of the most outrageous, innovative machines available on the planet. For collectors in the market for a fire-breathing, car crunching robot, Barrett-Jackson will auction the world famous Robosaurus (Lot #1307). Joining the 31-ton mechanical dinosaur will be the Blastolene B-702 (Lot #1310), a massive custom roadster built by the Blastolene Brothers. Measuring 19.5 feet long, 8 feet wide and housing an enormous 702cid V12 engine, the B-702 is a rolling sculpture that blends America’s passion for high-powered engines with refined European design cues.
For the first time in Barrett-Jackson history, a 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood Presidential Series Limo (Lot #1328) will cross the block. One of only three armored Presidential Series parade cars and weighing a whopping 12,000 pounds, the limo has only 500 original miles and is equipped with a 454cid engine custom built by Jack Roush, level B6 armor and blast proof standards, an on-board oxygen system, a fire suppression system and run flat tire inserts. Additional amenities include custom power footrests, fender-mounted flag standards and a halo lighting system to aid nighttime visibility inside the limo. It is the only one of the three limos in private hands, as the other two are owned by the U.S. Government.
“Every great collection needs a special vehicle that stands out from the rest,” noted Davis. “From bomb-proof limos to a flame-throwing dinosaur on wheels, we’ve gathered some of the most unique machines ever built to satisfy the ever-growing desire to own something spectacular.”
Lights, Camera, Action!
An area that Barrett-Jackson has dominated over the past few years is the popular celebrity car segment. Cars from the big screen include the 1966 Ford Thunderbird from the 1991 Oscar-winning film “Thelma & Louise” (Lot #1285), “Mojo,” the 2006 custom Marine Technology Inc. 39RP catamaran (Lot #1309) with a matching Hummer and trailer (Lot #s 1309.1 and 1309.2) from the 2006 movie “Miami Vice,” and a 1995 Harley Davidson motorcycle custom painted and owned by William Shatner (Lot #1297.1).
After failing to find a new owner in a recent Internet auction, John Schneider’s 1969 Dodge Charger Coupe, a.k.a. “General Lee” (Lot #1321), will be sold at Barrett-Jackson. The popular muscle car from TV’s “The Dukes of Hazard” reunion specials has a powerful 511cid, 725 horsepower engine with a 727 transmission. A 2004 Panoz Esperante with wings (Lot #1264), aka “The Flying Car” from the “Monster Garage” of Jesse James, will be sold along with over 40 more cars from the hit TV show.
Hot rodders, TV lovers and rock-n-rollers will take notice when the iconic “Monkeemobile” (Lot #1297) takes center stage. Based on a 1966 Pontiac GTO and modified by hot rod legend George Barris, the “Monkeemobile” was featured in the hit TV series, “The Monkees.” Famous rocker and avid collector Alice Cooper will return to Scottsdale in 2008 to auction his smooth 1955 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Gullwing custom re-creation.
“Celebrity cars are drawn to Barrett-Jackson by the bright lights, high-octane atmosphere and savvy pool of bidders who want a car with star power,” said Davis. “At Barrett-Jackson, the cars are the stars and their true values are established in an open, honest, one-of-a-kind arena.”
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 Events?” in Scottsdale, Palm Beach, Fla. and Las Vegas. For more information about Barrett-Jackson, visit www.barrett-jackson.com or call (480) 421-6694.
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