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2006 Barrett Jackson Scottsdale Auction
By: Drew Phillips
Photos by the author
January 25, 2006

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Barrett Jackson seems to be good at breaking records. For the 35th anniversary in Scottsdale, the famous auction company broke numerous records including attendance, total sales, highest sale of an American car, and highest individual sale at a Barrett Jackson event,. The 4,852 bidders at the auction had an amazing $1,000,000,000 combined purchasing limit, and they put it to good use. Overall sales improved over 60% from last year's $61 million to over $100 million due to the quality of cars offered and the no reserve policy on all the cars. "The results of this year's auction demonstrate that the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction is the premier event to buy and sell the finest quality cars in the world," said Craig Jackson, President of the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction. Fortunately, enthusiasts around the country could view much of the bidding because of the extended coverage time by Speed Channel. In case you missed it, here are some of the highlights:

More Record-Breaking Sales of Concept Cars

The headlining cars of the auction were several concept vehicles, and high sales were expected due to last year's record-breaking $3 million sale of the 1954 Oldsmobile F-88 Concept. Like the previous year, bidding rose into the millions of dollars, and a new Barrett Jackson record was achieved, although not from the expected car. Most considered the 1954 Pontiac Bonneville Special Motorama to have the highest selling potential of the auction, but its final selling price of $3,024,000 was eclipsed by the winning bid of $4,320,000 for a 1950 General Motors Futurliner Tour Bus. The bus was one of 12 built by GM, and was used in the "Parade of Progress" touring exhibit in the early 1950's. Other concept cars auctioned included a 1952 Chrysler d'Elegance 2-door hardtop that sold for $1,188,000, a 1964 Pontiac Banshee XP-833 Concept designed by John DeLorean that sold for $214,500 and a 1954 Ford Vega Roadster "Gardner Special" that went for $385,000.

High-Dollar Hemis

In 2004, Barrett Jackson offered a total of twelve Hemi-powered cars for sale, a record at the time. For 2006, an incredible 33 Hemi cars crossed the block all at no reserve. "If you like Mopars, this is the year to be at Barrett-Jackson," Jackson stated. The crown jewel of the collection was a 1970 Plymouth Hemi Cuda Convertible, one of fourteen built. The car is a pristine numbers-matching example with a 4-speed automatic and a "High Impact Vitamin C" paint job. Despite the quality and rarity of the car, the winning bid of $2,160,000 still seemed a steep price to pay. Other Hemi notables included a black 1971 Plymouth Hemi Cuda that sold for $600,000, a 1970 Plymouth Hemi Cuda Hardtop that went for $702,000, and a one-of-two 1967 Dodge Hemi Coronet R/T with a winning bid of $264,600.

Corvettes and GM cars

Barrett Jackson also offered a record number of Corvettes, several of which are some of the most desirable models in the car's history. "Some of the best Corvettes we've ever seen crossed the block in Scottsdale and Palm Beach last year," commented Jackson. "We hope to exceed that excitement and level of American performance for our 35th anniversary." Early generation Corvettes generally attract larger bids, and none more so than the #003 1953 Chevrolet Corvette. The polo white convertible is the oldest surviving example of the first year production run of 1953, and it is one of the best documented Corvettes of all time. The incredible final selling price of $1,080,000 was no surprise. Other featured Corvettes included a 1969 L-88 with less than 2,000 miles that sold for $334,800 and a 1967 427/435 Convertible with a winning bid of $378,000.

Other GM cars like Chevelles and Camaros had high selling prices as well. A 1970 Chevelle SS Convertible with only 61 miles after its restoration was purchased at $1,242,000, making it one of six cars at the auction to sell for over $1 million. Special attention was given to a 1969 Camaro ZL-1, one of the most desirable GM production cars of all time. One of the finest examples out of the 50 produced, the ZL-1 sold for $486,000.

Famous Fords and Shelbys

Many of the highest bids on Ford vehicles also wore the Shelby name. Buyers had the option of bidding on anything from an early 1960's Cobra roadster, to GT-350's and GT-500's from every model year, to the very first 2007 Shelby Mustang. High prices were paid for many of the cars, including $594,000 for a 1966 427 Cobra, $451,000 for a 1967 GT-500, and an astounding $648,000 for the first 2007 model, well over the dealer msrp price that could be paid in just a few months. Other featured Fords include a 1968 Mustang 428 CJ with a winning bid of $513,000, and a 1967 GT40 MkV that went for $396,000.

Conclusion

Acknowledgements and appreciation has to be made to the Barrett Jackson Auction Company for putting on such an incredible event. Car enthusiasts around the country could watch more of the auction because of the extended television coverage, and those at the event had a more enjoyable experience because of the increase in tent space and seating area. Lastly, the bidders couldn't have been happier with one of the best selection of classic cars to have ever been auctioned.