DIVERSE DOCKET, UNRIVALED ATMOSPHERE TO MAKE 2009 BARRETT-JACKSON PALM BEACH AUCTION MEMORABLE
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – April 6, 2009 – With consignment spots sold out and the auction lineup finalized, the stage is set for the 7th Annual Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Collector Car Auction on April 9-11. The all No Reserve auction will feature a memorable range of collector vehicles including muscle cars, foreign classics, customs and specials from individual collectors and auto manufacturers. SPEED will provide live, high-definition TV coverage of all three auction days at the Americraft Expo Center at the South Florida Fairgrounds.
“We’re just days away from another amazing Palm Beach auction,” said Craig Jackson, Chairman/CEO of the Barrett-Jackson Auction Company. “Consignments spots sold out quickly as people from across the collector car industry showed great interest in the upcoming event. We set the tone for the hobby with successful auctions in Las Vegas and Scottsdale and look to do the same in Palm Beach.”
Mustang Celebrates 45 Years
Ford Motor Company will celebrate the 45th anniversary of the Mustang by offering the first retail 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 and a pair of Mustang GT concept cars. The 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 coupe (Lot #665) will be the first retail unit available to the public and features a Kona Blue color scheme with white stripes personally chosen by Carroll Shelby. The Redline Red Metallic Ford Mustang GT convertible concept (Lot #655) and the Tungsten Silver Ford Mustang GT coupe concept (Lot #655.1) debuted at the 2003 North American International Auto Show with a fresh design that foreshadowed a new direction for the 2005 model year.
All proceeds above MSRP from the sale of the Shelby GT500 will be donated to The Carroll Shelby Children’s Foundation. The Mustang concepts will be auctioned to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
East Coast Muscle
Pristine muscle cars are always in demand at the Palm Beach auction, and Barrett-Jackson will deliver in 2009 with a variety of Detroit iron. A rare 1970 Oldsmobile 442 W30 convertible (Lot #668) will cross the block during the auction. One of only 96 built, the Matador Red 442 has a factory-matching drivetrain and the 1970-only W27 aluminum axle carrier.
According to Barrett-Jackson president, Steve Davis, “An incredible herd of vintage Ford Mustangs will be led by a Lime Gold 1967 Shelby GT500 fastback (Lot #667) and a pair of 1968 Shelby GT350 fastbacks (Lot #674.3 and #661.1). I’m particularly impressed with the trio of 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302 fastbacks that will be sold. Lot #381 and #682 are dressed in bright yellow paint schemes, while Lot #652 is a Concours Gold winner in stunning red.”
Chevrolet will be well represented in the muscle car segment by a strong crop of Chevelles and Camaros provided by individual collectors. Both the 1970 Chevelle SS 454 LS5 convertible (Lot #653.1) and the 1970 Chevelle SS 396 convertible (Lot #640) feature frame-off, rotisserie restorations, smooth black paint schemes and original amenities like power steering, power brakes and AM/FM radio. A 1969 Camaro Z/28 (Lot #640.1) with an authentic “X77” production code features an original, numbers matching DZ 302 engine and a Muncie 4-speed transmission. Another 1969 Camaro Z/28 (Lot #651) has a genuine “X33” production code and is powered by a 302cid/290 horsepower engine with a Muncie 4-speed transmission.
Barrett-Jackson has again packed the Palm Beach lineup with an amazing group of Corvettes. Highlights include a striking black 1954 Corvette convertible (Lot #664), 1962 Corvette FI convertible (Lot #674.1) and a numbers matching 1969 Corvette convertible (Lot #645) with a 427cid/435 horsepower L71 engine and a M-21 close ratio 4-speed.
British Beauties
“Few cars fit the South Florida lifestyle better than classic Jaguars and Austin-Healeys,” said Jackson. “These elegant and fun British cars were a hit during our 2008 Palm Beach auction, so we’re offering more great examples this year.”
One of the star Jaguars is the 1955 Jaguar XK 140 roadster (Lot #650.1). The gem of a noted Seattle-area collection for the past decade, it features a silver paint scheme over a black interior with red piping. Lot #668.1 is a limited edition 1958 Jaguar XK 150 S roadster with its rebuilt, original 3.4 Liter engine.
Austin-Healeys, which are gaining popularity among collectors, will garner attention with examples like a 1966 Austin-Healey 3000 Mark III BJ8 Phase II sports convertible (Lot #674), 1959 Austin-Healey BT7 roadster (Lot #669) and 1960 Austin-Healey 3000 BN7 roadster (Lot #650).
The Fantastic 50s
Demand for 1950’s-era American iron continues to explode. The docket is filled with famous names such as Century, Holiday 88, Continental, Thunderbird, Fairlane and Medalist. Some of the highest profile cars in Palm Beach will include a stunning torch red 1957 Thunderbird “E” convertible (Lot #657.1), a crimson 1959 Pontiac Bonneville convertible (Lot #659) and a pristine 1955 Bel Air convertible (Lot #375).
“1950’s-era great American classics, especially drop tops, continue to be very popular,” said Davis. “They recall what many refer to as the ‘American Decade,’ with their powerful motors, debonair styling and sumptuous interiors. The balmy weather in Florida is particularly suited to the convertible versions of these iconic cars.”
NASCAR Legends
Historic racecars are always a favorite of collectors and Barrett-Jackson will offer several high profile cars from the legendary NASCAR series. The Jeff Gordon-raced 1998 Monte Carlo NASCAR race car (Lot #684) has a particularly famous pedigree. It is an original Hendrick Motorsports chassis #43, car #2418 and is powered by an 18 degree race motor rebuilt from original race-used Hendrick Motorsports parts. The racer is beautifully autographed by Gordon on the hood and inside dash panel; race photos and TV broadcasts are included.
“This Monte Carlo was nicknamed ‘Butthead’ and driven by Jeff Gordon during his rise to fame,” stated Davis. “Raced 19 times from 1995 to 1999, when Gordon won three of his four championships, this car won seven races and captured 15 Top 5 finishes.”
Another highly anticipated car to be auctioned is the 2006 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS raced by three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson (Lot #672). The No. 48 Lowe’s Monte Carlo was raced nine times in the 2004, 2005 and 2006 Cup Championship season. The Monte Carlo visited victory lane three times, winning the Pocono 500, the Pennsylvania 500 Raceway and the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400. The No. 48 car includes an authentic Hendrick race engine re-built with the certified SB2 block raced by Johnson to win the 2004 race at the Pocono Raceway. All proceeds from the sale of the car will benefit the Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte, NC, through the Hendrick Foundation for Children.
About The Barrett-Jackson Auction Company
Established in 1971 and headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Barrett-Jackson specializes in providing products and services to classic and collector car owners, astute collectors and automotive enthusiasts around the world. The company produces the “World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions™” in Scottsdale, Palm Beach, Fla. and Las Vegas. For more information about Barrett-Jackson, visit www.barrett-jackson.com or call (480) 421-6694.
Media Contact: Luke DeRouen at lderouen@tprm-usa.com or (214) 870-8635 www.tprm-usa.com