Barrett Jackson’s Wildest Rides

Every automotive enthusiast has unique taste, whether you’re a purist, hot rod connoisseur or rat rod junkie. These worlds tend to collide every once in a while, however, every enthusiast can respect a properly restored, resto-modded, or custom built ride. 

We happened to take a trip down the aisles and across the block of Barrett Jackson in Scottsdale, Arizona, only to find some of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring builds the show has to offer.

’72 Dodge Challenger Custom Hardtop

When it comes to Resto-Mods, this Challenger is the cream of the crop. 

Incorporating a 6.1-liter HEMI V8 with a 727 5-Speed automatic transmission shows that this beast is utilizing the best of modern technology while still utilizing tried and true parts. 

’39 Chevrolet Custom COE Pickup

Grabbing the attention of attendees at Barrett Jackson is no easy feat as there are so many cars to look at, but this custom pickup shows how it’s done.

This old tanker turned modern beauty is a sight to behold from the outside, but what you don’t see is the LS1 sitting under the seats and coilovers on all four corners. It’s no wonder this bad boy sold for $95,700.

’67 Volkswagen Type II Double-Cab Custom Pickup “Double Deluxe”

Going all out and creating a car that never existed is taking a custom build to the next level.

Kindig It Design in Salt Lake City, Utah, integrated the best parts of a Deluxe bus and a double-cab to create this unique “Double Deluxe”, a true masterpiece.

You’d better have deep pockets to get your hands on this puppy as it was taken home at $161,700.

’69 Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS Custom Coupe

For the fans of Pro-Touring builds, this Camaro is one you’ll want to take a nice long gander at. What started as a 396-ci V8 soon turned into a 502-ci V8, but why stop there?

The 502-ci crate engine was bored to a 540-ci, squeezing every ounce of extra ponies out. To add a unique touch, the dash is straight out of a ’59 Chevy Impala, proving that this car is all in the details.

’67 Ford Mustang Eleanor Tribute

What started as a ’67 Fastback soon became a licensed Official Eleanor Tribute Edition Mustang after a ground-up restoration. With a signed dash by none other than Carroll Shelby, this Eleanor is the definition of a custom build, and a jaw dropping one at that.

’70 Plymouth Barracuda Custom Coupe

At first glance, you might think this ‘cuda rolled off the assembly line yesterday. After a two and a half year build, this Plymouth Barracuda comes complete with a 528-ci HEMI, rebuilt 4-speed manual transmission and a Dana 4.11 rear end.

’62 Morris Mini Cooper

There’s something about the simplicity of a Mini Cooper that always looks good, and with some subtle touches, they can really stand out.

All it took for this custom Woody wagon was some fender flares and a set of wider tires to get an aggressive stance and become a real attention grabber.

’67 Ford Mustang Custom Fastback

For those of us that like to go fast, and look good doing it, this is the ride to be in. With a supercharged Ford Racing Coyote 5.0 L V8, this thing is sure to throw you into the back seat.

’58 Volkswagen Custom Roadster

Last on our list of fine Barrett Jackson customs is one ride that is sure to make you look twice. This take on a steampunk VW is nothing shy of perfection, and the craftsmanship behind this build is even more intriguing.

With only 40 miles on the build, the next owner will be proud to break in the fresh 1.4 L, four cylinder, air-cooled engine.

Overall, the builds you’ll see at Barrett Jackson consist of top-notch craftsmanship and creativity, and definitely cost a pretty penny!

Odd and Obscure Cars You’ll Find at Barrett Jackson Scottsdale

There’s no doubt that the majority of cars at Barrett Jackson in Scottsdale, Arizona are Muscle and Super Cars, but there’s also a small niche of odd and obscure cars that may pique your curiosity.

1956 BMW Isetta 300

The first car on our list is a ’56 BMW Isetta 300, which some may recognize as Steve Urkel’s ride of choice from Family Matters. The beautiful two-toned red and white exterior catches your eye in a heartbeat. It even has a sunroof and an air-cooled 2 cylinder engine, just make sure the door is closed up front!

1937 Morgan F4 Roadster

Next is a ’37 Morgan F4 Roadster, and while in today’s day and age we see three wheeled “cars” on a daily basis such as the Polaris Slingshot, they probably weren’t your every day occurrence in the ‘30s. 

1952 Kaiser Henry J Custom Coupe

This ’52 Kaiser Henry J Custom Coupe looks like it could have come straight from Whoville, but that doesn’t take away from its coolness factor. Just look at that scoop!

1985 Ford LTD Custom Station Wagon

Here we have an ’85 Ford LTD Custom Station Wagon, the “Family Truckster”. Whether it’s the wood paneling, the green paint, or the fact that whoever built it doubled down on the headlights, this thing sticks out like a sore thumb, and we are kind of digging it.

1971 Lawil S3 Varzina

This boxy car is a ’71 Lawil S3 Varzina, built by a company known for making these microcars. Nothing like some chains to keep you feeling nice and secure while driving. You’ll want to stay out of this bad boys way with its whopping 12 horsepower.

1957 Jato Golf Cart

This executive ’57 Jato Golf Cart is definitely one unique ride. Just imagine hitting the back 9 in the ‘50s cruising around in this puppy. From a fringed fabric top to original chrome, this thing is sweet! From the looks of those handle bars though, you better hope your passenger turns at the same time as you.

1972 Cadillac Custom Wagon

We end this list with what once was a Cadillac Hearse. While we’re still trying to figure out what exactly is going on with this thing, we do know that it’s named the “Pirate Surf Mobile”. We are also sure that this thing purrs and definitely catches attention.

That does it for our list of some of the most odd and obscure cars at Barrett Jackson in Scottsdale, Arizona!

Barrett Jackson Goes Bavarian

Cool, Collectable and Unusual BMWs

BMW is known for some of the most refined, performance oriented, and sometimes unusual, vehicles known to man, and many found their way to the Barrett Jackson auction block.

From the unconventional Isetta 300 to Paul Walker’s collection of some of the rarest E36 M3 Lightweights, Barrett Jackson in Scottsdale, Arizona is a treasure trove for BMW collectors. 

Paul Walker’s collection easily steals the spotlight. The collection consists of 21 cars, 7 of those being BMWs, including 5 E36 M3 Lightweights and 2 E30 M3s.

It doesn’t take an expert to know that Paul Walker had great taste in cars.

BMW 2002s, the company’s major milestone after World War II that pretty much secured their future, also made a statement at the auction.

While some of these cars are either kept pristine or restored to their original state, others take on a whole new look, including new wheels, wraps and even engine swaps.

This particular ’73 2002 was stripped down and sandblasted, then wrapped up in the signature Louis Vuitton monogram. Some may not go down the same road as this owner, but it’s all about creating a car that suits your taste.

 

Barrett Jackson

Prep for the Gavel

Some of the most extraordinary cars you’ve ever seen are auctioned off at Barrett Jackson, and with the swing of the gavel, another pristine automobile goes off to the highest bidder, but not before some of the most extensive preparation.

There is more to the process than meets the eye, and a ton of patience and elbow grease goes into each vehicle that crosses the Barrett Jackson auction block.

From paint-correction and detailing to frame-off restorations, each car has a unique story and an owner that has put their blood and sweat into maintaining their cars legacy.

Days leading up to and even the day of the auction, the owners meticulously inspect and clean every nook and cranny of their prized possessions.

It’s no wonder the largest sponsors for Barrett Jackson are some of the biggest detailing names in the game, such as Meguiar’s, Mother’s, and Adam’s Polishes.

But it doesn’t stop at the exterior, every inch of these vehicles is polished to perfection.

Cars of all shapes and sizes enter the block at Barrett Jackson, but one thing they all have in common is the pure joy they bring to their owners.

Prepping a car for auction is more than securing the highest bid, but a final farewell.

 

The Barrett-Jackson Auctions

If you’re looking for that rare collector car or classic hot rod, you can’t beat the Barrett-Jackson Auctions. What’s more is that you don’t even have to have a collector car to sell at one of their events.

Originally, Russ Jackson and Tom Barrett met over Barrett’s 1933 Cadillac V16 Town Car in Scottsdale, Arizona. It wasn’t about starting a classic car auction or anything, it was just that Cadillac. They hit it off well and then presented a car show for fund-raising in Scottsdale in 1967 called the “Fiesta de Los Autos Elegantes.” Their first official auction was in December of 1971, where the two jointly put on a classic car auction in which they got notoriety for selling two Mercedes-Benz 770K Phaetons that were used by Adolf Hitler’s staff. One of the two set a new auction record and sold for $153,200 and the Barrett-Jackson Auction was born.

Craig Jackson, Russ’ son, took over in 1995, just after Russ died in 1993. On that same year, the auctions began showing live on Speed Channel and internet bidding was allowed for the first time. Just after Tom Barrett died in 2004, the show was renamed to the Barret-Jackson Collector Car Auctions in 2005. From there, the shows have visited Las Vegas, Orange County in California, Reno, Palm Beach, and Uncasville, Connecticut.

Collector cars are always coming across the block, but this is where charities like to sell vehicles for fund-raising, much like how Tom and Russ originally started in 1967. During the 2018 Scottsdale Auction, 10 vehicles were sold for charity and reached $102-million. Another historic first was when Former US President George W. Bush joined in the sale of the first production 2018 Chevrolet Corvette Carbon 65 Edition, a car that sold for $1.4-million during that same show to benefit The George W. Bush Presidential Center’s Military Service Initiative.

While it is a collector car auction, it is still an auction open to selling all types of vehicles like trucks, planes, boats, engines, motorcycles, and even memorabilia. You could sell your own car there, it’s not closed off to just celebrities or cars with historic value. This means cars can range from a Ford Crown Victoria with about 12,000-miles on the odometer to prototype cars that were never produced to a 1926 Ford Model T and everything in between. This also means that these auctions are more than just car sales, they can be the best place to find classic and modified cars to just look at and enjoy for what they are.

That’s what makes a Barrett-Jackson Auction fun for those who don’t have the six- or seven-figure budget to bid on cars. There is more going on besides the selling of classic or collector vehicles. There are vendors, displays, driving exhibitions, and more going on that you wonder if there’s really an auction going on. That is until you hear the cheers and hammer drop after a massive sale.

If you’re in Las Vegas from September 27 to 29 or in Scottsdale, Arizona from January 12 to 20, 2019, just go to the Barrett-Jackson Auction and look around. It’s essentially a car show that happens to have an auction going on at the same time.