Another significant 1953 Corvette to be auctioned in Scottsdale

I had mentioned earlier this week about Russo & Steele auctioning off the famed Noland Adams 1953 Chevrolet Corvette here. However, I think I may have found a slightly more significant 53 Vette that will be auctioned by RM auctions the same weekend.

Up for auction is 1953 Corvette #5. This is one of the earliest known Corvettes in existence, and carries quite an interesting history. This car was one of the first three Corvettes to be sold to the public. Before it was sold though, the story goes that Harley Earl. GM's head of styling paraded this car around Detroit to some Ford dealers and even drove it to Ford's engineering department. Perhaps in all in a good natured, "Beat you to the punch" moment. After that, Corvette #5 was shipped to Philadelphia, PA to show to prospective Chevrolet dealers and to be reviewed by 3 time Indy 500 winner Mauri Rose who would report back to GM what needed to be updated to improve build quality on later Corvettes.

Shortly after, Crawford Greenewalt purchased Corvette #5 from Wilmington, Delaware’s Diver Chevrolet as a gift to his wife. Greenwalt at the time was chief chemical engineer and president of DuPont. The car then passed through many owners before being restored from 1997 through 2003 to be unveiled for the Corvette's 50th Anniversary. During that time, Corvette #5 was restored to NCRS "Top Flight" specifications. Included with the sale are copies of many internal GM documents verifying the car's history as well as the expected documentation that would accompany a car of this quality.


Barrett-Jackson auctioned off an even earlier example, Corvette #3, which for all technical purposes was the first Corvette sold to the public for $1 million dollars in 2006. RM's estimate, may just be a little on the light  side at $450,000-$650,000.  But who knows. Different auction company, different buyers. This is another we'll be watching for sure next weekend.

Source: RM Auctions

By: Austin On 10:58

Continue Reading

2008 Barrett Jackson will auction first Challenger, ZR & GT 500KR

Every year the Barrett Jackson classic car auction fills our heads with dream cars that we all wish to someday own. In recent years we have seen many modern day and future classics roll across the auction block. Though not just any special cars. First production cars. Usually it results as the first actual production or retailable car. The most notable was the first 06 Shelby GT 500 Mustang, and 07 Shelby GT Mustangs. Both times these cars fetched WELL over their original sticker prices. And as with just about everything Carroll Shelby does, the proceeds go to charity.
At the 2008 auction in a few weeks. We will see not one, but three first production future classics be made available. Shelby will of course off the first 2008 GT 500KR(King of the Road). But new comers Chevrolet and Dodge will auction the first production Corvette ZR1 and Challenger SRT-8s to roll off the assembly lines. Both the Vette and the Challenger will/should be fresh off their introductions at Detroit. Just before the auction begins.

The best part is that like the Shelbys of the past few years, all proceeds from all three lots will go to auction. Sales will benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), The United Way, and the notMYkid charity.

We're sure that these cars will command the high dollar value as they have in the past with auctions of this type. So we expect to see at the very least 7 figure dollars amounts for these future classics. And we also expect that at least one, if not all three will end up in the collection of Arizona business tycoon Ron Pratte. See you in Scottsdale!

Source: Barrett Jackson.

By: Austin On 00:11

Continue Reading

2008 Barrett Jackson Shelby GT Mustang. A special edition of a sepecial edition

Amen to Ford and Shelby for offering the Shelby GT. It brought the Shelby name and performance at a price that we can afford. Though it's still not the same as the Shelby GT 500.

When the GT500 went in to production the 1st one for sale was sold at the Barrett Jackson Auction for some crazy money. And the car wasn't even built yet. Since then we have seen many first run special cars go across the blocks at B-J each year.

Thus year though we will see a different kind of Barret Jackson special car. One that you can actually buy. Well 100 people can actually buy as there will only be 100 made. If you live in Arizona or Las Vegas, Nevada. You can go down to your local Ford dealer and pick up one of the 2008 Barrett Jackson Edition Shelby GT Mustang. Offered in both coupe and convertible, each will come only in black with "Barrett Jackson Red" stripes. And special B-J signature door sill plates. Oh, and an autographed photo of Carroll Shelby, Craig Jackson, Amy Boylan and Steve Davis.

The rest of the package is made up of black 18 inch wheels, a Ford Racing tuned 319 horsepower V8, flow through exhaust with x pipe crossover, 5 speed manual trans with a Hurst short throw shifter, front strut tower brace, and Ford Racing Handling Package. That adds special dampers, larger sway bars, and a 3.55:1 ratio rear axle.

Not a bad package for only $39,000. Though I'm sure dealers will mark them up since there's only 100 to go around. Though I highly doubt that the dealers are going to match or exceede the $250 per car donation(built in) that will go to the Carroll Shelby Children Foundation. So buying one is for a good cause. Now to get my tickets to Arizona.......

http://www.shelbychildrensfoundation.org/

Source: Ford, Chelby, Barrett Jackson.

PRESS RELEASE:
Exclusive 2008 Barrett-Jackson Shelby GT Unveiled in Arizona

• 2008 Barrett-Jackson Shelby GT Production is Scheduled for 100 Total Units


• Black Exterior with "Barrett-Jackson" Red Stripes and Other Touches Included


• Cars Will Be Sold Through Arizona Ford Dealers


• A Portion of Proceeds from Sales to Benefit the Carroll Shelby Children's Foundation.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. --(Business Wire)-- Nov. 21, 2007 Three American automotive icons, Ford Motor Company, the Barrett-Jackson Auction Company and Shelby Automobiles, have collaborated to create collector car history with a limited edition 2008 Mustang Shelby GT. The companies today unveiled the 2008 Barrett-Jackson Shelby GT based on the Ford Mustang at the Arizona International Auto Show.

With an MSRP beginning at US$38,980.00, a total of 100 2008 Barrett-Jackson Shelby GTs, in both coupe and convertible body styles, will be sold through Arizona Region Ford dealers beginning today. The purchase price of each car will include a $250 donation to the Carroll Shelby Children's Foundation.

"The Arizona and Las Vegas Ford dealers have been strong supporters of mine over the years, which is why Shelby Automobiles joined with Barrett-Jackson and Ford Motor Company to create a limited edition car just for their customers," said Carroll Shelby, CEO of Shelby Automobiles. "And I'm pleased that a portion of the sales will benefit an endowment we're building at the Carroll Shelby Children's Foundation. This is a rare chance for enthusiasts to enjoy a very special car and support a great cause."

Ford is a strong supporter of Barrett-Jackson and has sponsored its Family Value Day that kicks off the automotive lifestyle week in Scottsdale. Family Value Day was designed to attract a new generation of car enthusiasts by offering discounted tickets for adults and admitting children under the age of 12 for free.

"Barrett-Jackson's unrivaled lifestyle events celebrate America's love of the automobile," said Ford Motor Company Phoenix Regional Sales Manager, Tim Stoehr. "Their passion for the automobile has resulted in a unique venue to share our vehicles with the public. This limited edition car symbolizes our high octane relationship and gives a few lucky people the chance to own a piece of the Barrett-Jackson experience."

Over the past 37 years, Barrett-Jackson has evolved from an auction primarily attended by dedicated collectors and dealers into a retail automotive lifestyle event that is broadcast live worldwide. Shelby Cobras, GT350s and GT500s have been among the most popular cars to cross the auction block.

"We have a long tradition of selling the best Shelbys in the world because they are among the most desirable cars ever built," said Craig Jackson, Chairman/CEO of the Barrett-Jackson Auction Company. "Over the past several years, we've worked with Ford Motor Company to raise almost a million and a half dollars for Carroll's Foundation by offering new Shelby cars for sale. It was natural to celebrate our connection to these cars with a very limited edition Shelby."

From the black 18-inch wheels to the Shelby Cobra roadster hood scoop, the car is mean. The engine is upgraded with a Ford Racing package to pump out 319 horsepower and 330 lb.-ft. of torque through a high-flow exhaust system with X-pipe crossover. The Shelby GT comes standard with a five-speed manual transmission featuring a Hurst short-throw shifter; a five-speed automatic transmission is optional. The package includes a Ford Racing Handling Pack with special-tuned dampers, unique sway bars and a 3.55:1 ratio rear axle assembly. Overall ride height was dropped and a front strut-tower brace added.

"The Shelby GT was designed to deliver an exhilarating driving experience," said Amy Boylan, President of Shelby Automobiles. "In addition to the 'go faster goodies,' each will receive special badges and equipment, as well as a photo of one of these cars signed by Carroll."

Unique features of the Barrett-Jackson edition will include:

-- Black exterior with "Barrett-Jackson Red" LeMans Hood and Side Stripes

-- Barrett Jackson Edition Door Sill Plates

-- Black interior with the Shelby GT serial number plate

-- Special Gas Cap Insert

-- Autographed photo of Carroll Shelby, Craig Jackson, Amy Boylan and Steve Davis

"As someone who has been personally involved with Shelby cars for the past three decades, I'm very proud to be part of this limited edition car," noted Steve Davis, President of Barrett-Jackson. "Rarity and documentation are two of the keys to collectability, which is why only 100 Barrett-Jackson Shelby GTs are scheduled to be built. Each car will come with complete documentation and be included in the factory authorized registry."

The Barrett-Jackson Shelby GT will be displayed at the Arizona International Auto Show from November 22-25.

By: Austin On 11:15

Continue Reading

Christie's out of the collector car auction business.

It was short and to the point. The September 5th statement from Christie's Auction House was just three sentences long. The world famous auction house has chosen to close their International Motor Cars department. The decision was made "following a periodic strategic review of operations". The department closed at the end of the month.

Shortly after the announcement, word came that three of the five member department, Rupert Banner, Philip Kanto, and Cordon McCall were all joining rival auction house Bonhams.

The 241 year old auction house started the International Motor Cars department in 1972, and was one of the oldest collector car auctioneers in the business. Christie's has sold many of the top dollar collector cars that have broken records for value. Recently they auctioned a 1963 Ferrari 250 GTL Lusso formerly owned by the late Steve McQueen, for a record $2,310,000. Christie's was also to auction a 1936 Auto Union "Silver Arrow" grand prix racer, but the auction on the car was canceled when the history of the car was questioned.

By: Austin On 19:27

Continue Reading