If it’s anything like last year’s event, the annual Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale is sure to thrill visitors and collectors alike. In 2015, 1,611 vehicles were sold worth more than $130 million in sales, including a 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake that sold for $5.1 million.
During the nine-day auction, roughly 250,000 collectors and enthusiasts flock to WestWorld, Scottsdale’s 300,000-square-foot, special event facility, to view more than 1,000 vehicles. Sure to turn a few heads at this year’s auction when it goes on the block is the 2015 Porsche 918 e-hybrid Spyder Weissach Edition with only 595 original miles. The driver has access to 887 horsepower, quarter-mile sprints in the nine-second range, and a top speed of 210 mph.
Documented with a Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, the 1989 Porsche 911 Speedster is one of only 814 produced for the United States market that year. It features Turbo-style bodywork with flared fenders and wider tires. Beneath the famous sloping tail is Porsche’s air-cooled 3.2-liter flat-6 engine mated to a short-throw-shifted 5-speed gearbox and only has 12,627 miles on the odometer.
“Porsche 911s from the 1970s and 1980s appeal to many collectors because they became cultural icons when Hollywood began to weave the cars into movies and TV shows,” said Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson. “They also dominated various road racing series. Porsches offer an excellent way to enjoy sports car ownership and also be part of the collector car community.”
Barrett-Jackson will also auction a 42,000-original-mile 1965 Porsche 356SC Cabriolet in Scottsdale. This Reutter Cabriolet left the factory as a stripped-down road-going machine with only a handful of options. It underwent a comprehensive restoration, during which desirable options such as chrome wheels, Blaupunkt three-band radio, C steering wheel with wood trim and Carrera deluxe horn ring, and dash-mounted factory exterior temperature gauge were added. The interior was also changed to its present green leather fitment. The car features a 1.6-liter engine and 4-speed manual transmission. It comes with the owner’s manual, tool roll, full-size chrome spare wheel, and a Porsche Certificate of Authenticity.
Another vehicle that will garner a great deal of attention is the seductively-designed 1953 Delahaye 235, which is being offered for sale as part of the Salon Collection. The Delahaye Type 235 coupe, which has unique and stunning bodywork by Saoutchik, has been featured on the 18th fairway at Pebble Beach on two occasions.
1953 DELAHAYE 235 SAOUTCHIK
Also, Barrett-Jackson, the world’s greatest collector car auction house, continues its support for charities with the auction of the long-awaited 2017 Acura NSX supercar. All proceeds from the sale of this unique vehicle will go to benefit the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation and Camp Southern Ground, the passion project of Grammy award-winning artist Zac Brown. To date, Barrett-Jackson has raised $84.6 million to aid local and national charities.
“Our Behind the Hobby Collector Car Symposiums are a new offering to our growing list of things-to-do, which has made our auction a true automotive lifestyle event,” said Rodney Scearce, senior media relations supervisor for Barrett-Jackson. A few ‘Behind the Hobby’ symposium topics include Top Five Tips for buying a collector car, insurance, financing; Caring For Your Collector Car – maintenance tips, tires, paint, storage; and Hot Future Collectibles Presented by American Car Collector Magazine.
For a full schedule of events and more information on the 45th Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, visit www.barrett-jackson.com. ■
