Jim Palam delivers some auction sizzle from Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas, 2016.
With more than $32.5-million in total sales, the Barrett-Jackson 2016 auction machine, October 13-15 at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, was cookin’ with high-octane. If you missed the show or the extensive television coverage, here’s a look at some hot picks from Car Guy Chronicle’s correspondent on the Left Coast.
Originally a Shriner’s Parade vehicle, this restored ‘23 Dodge Graham chemical fire truck, top, now sports a shiny fire bell and blown 426 Hemi motor. Hammer Price: $93,500. Bombshell Betty is a ‘52 Buick Super Riviera racecar that holds six World Land Speed Records. A brutish ‘50 Buick Straight-8 powers this Steampunk hottie with a rocket-induction custom intake manifold from Hart’s Collision-Racing Shop. Hammer Price: $36,300.
No clowning around: Hot Rod Circus is a not-so-tame ’30 Ford Model A custom coupe built in Finland by Heath Garage and captured by Richard Rawlings for a Barrett-Jackson flip via Gas Monkey Garage. Hammer Price: $49,500.
Q: What do you get when the gang at Intense Automotive Design rebuilds a 550-horsepower Mosler MT900S Supercar? A: The IAD 2,500-horsepower Twin-Turbo Land Shark – capable of a sizzling 0-150 mph in 6.7 seconds. Wind tunnel and computer tests show a possible top speed of 375 mph! Hammer Price: The auction’s #4 top seller at $220,000.
How hot is this custom ‘65 Plymouth Belvedere Wagon? Hot enough to make the cover of Hot Rod Magazine – and cool enough to run a Vortec supercharged 360 Magnum engine.
Hammer Price: $22,000.
Fordvergnügen: The fun you have spending over $90,000 and 2 years customizing a ‘75 VW Super Beetle convertible! Features include a 1,835-cc engine, radiant PPG Metallic Orange Glow paint, and frenched ’39 Ford headlights and taillights. Hammer Price: $20,900.
Light My Fire! Here’s a flammable combination: Drop a 550-horsepower Chevy engine in an all-steel ‘49 Ford Anglia custom coupe. Add a Demon carb, TCI Turbo 350 trans and a 9-inch Ford rear. Wrap it all up in a blaze of fiery paint and hit the ignition! Hammer Price: $39,600.
Remember Hot Pants? These slivers of 1970s style are alive and well in Vegas, Baby.
Hammer Price: Undisclosed.
How to cool down: Three days of Auction Fever can leave you punchy and parched. Thank goodness this cleverly restored ‘26 Boyle-Dalton visible gas pump was on the floor and customized into a one-of-a-kind Texaco beer pump. Hammer Price: $10,925.
Words & Photos: Jim Palam, http://www.jimpalam.com/
For more information about Barrett-Jackson auctions, please visit http://www.barrett-jackson.com/Events/Event/Home/Scottsdale-2017/5a0b6fec-3238-4bae-baba-7d93140cba83