Barrett-Jackson Auction.

[barrie1]

Barrett-Jackson Auction has been on for about 5.5 days now and the highest Sold Toys are almost all GM products. Out of the top 5, 3 are Gm's and the other 2 are Cuda style Hemi's. A 1950's Bus built by GM went for 4 million bucks on its own which is the Highest amount ever paid for any vehicle at their auction in 35 years. Neat stuff. 

[84im]

In the past I've enjoyed watching the Barrett-Jackson Auction, but I'm too cheap to subscribe to Speed Vision to get it.

[haris]

I haven't seen much of it, but some of the prices are crazy. Double or triple more than last year for Cudas.

[captain_ron]

I wonder why GMs are selling for so much at this auction? I bet it can't be anything to do with the fact that the buyers are Americans, at an American auction.

[ovr50]

Hemi Cuda's have been about the top of the dollar heap at auctions like Barrett-Jackson for the past few years. Other big buck cars will include the big block Corvettes, Camaros and Chevelles with 396, 427 and 454 cu in engines. Mopars in the big bucks include most anything original with the 440 6Pack, or the 426 Wedge.  Perfect condition, a documented history and low miles are necessary for the big dollars. Also, oddball stuff like the ZL-1s of only a handful were oringinally made, COPOs, and Yenkos will drive the dollars up fast and high. Perfect Mustang Boss 302 and 429s make big dollars. AMXs go for much less.

[mdxtasy]

I've seen a few tidbits here and there....the classic flavour right now is the big American muscle cars.  Lots of them being restored, lots of big money buyers looking for a good one. 

[Giant Dwarf]

I've channel-surfed into the Barrett-Jackson auction a few times this past week and every time I do so, it's an old domestic car on the block.  Maybe the reason GM is leading the heap in $$$ is because there isn't a single Ferrari, Lambo, Bentley or Aston up for grabs?  Has anyone seen any imports yet?

[ovr50]

The reason you don't see exotics at places like B-J, is that the attention is focussed heavily on the domestic Muscle Cars of the 60s & 70s these days. For every exotic lover, there are 20 guys who are into old muscle. The exotics were hot about 15 years ago but no more, too expensive to buy and fix, and they don't have the nostalga tag to them (could care less about a 1969 Lambo, but a '69 Camaro w 396 would be interesting). Most ppl can't identify with the old (or even new) exotics and they are for the "rich elite". Guys spending the big coin on the old muscle cars are everyday sorts (plumbers, electrical contractors, engineers, etc).

Younger ppl (of which there are many on here) do not understand the pull of the muscle cars. You weren't there at the time.

[initial_D]

American Muscle? Me know that, seen it on TV and the movies. 

[ovr50]

 

Good one, initial

[Giant Dwarf]

The reason you don't see exotics at places like B-J, is that the attention is focussed heavily on the domestic Muscle Cars of the 60s & 70s these days. For every exotic lover, there are 20 guys who are into old muscle. The exotics were hot about 15 years ago but no more, too expensive to buy and fix, and they don't have the nostalga tag to them (could care less about a 1969 Lambo, but a '69 Camaro w 396 would be interesting). Most ppl can't identify with the old (or even new) exotics and they are for the "rich elite". Guys spending the big coin on the old muscle cars are everyday sorts (plumbers, electrical contractors, engineers, etc).

Younger ppl (of which there are many on here) do not understand the pull of the muscle cars. You weren't there at the time.

Don't get me wrong, I appreciate a Chevelle SS or Hemi Challenger as much as the next guy (not really a big fan of the AMX mind you), but it seems to me in previous years (even last year), you'd see a few Gullwings or an old SWB Ferrari or something every once in a while at Barret Jackson.  This year, nothin'.  I like an auction with a mix of classics.  I think it's neat to see a mid-60s Impala SS followed by a mid-60s Jaguar to show just how polarized the auto industry was.

[Drivesideways]

The reason you don't see exotics at places like B-J, is that the attention is focussed heavily on the domestic Muscle Cars of the 60s & 70s these days. For every exotic lover, there are 20 guys who are into old muscle. The exotics were hot about 15 years ago but no more, too expensive to buy and fix, and they don't have the nostalga tag to them (could care less about a 1969 Lambo, but a '69 Camaro w 396 would be interesting). Most ppl can't identify with the old (or even new) exotics and they are for the "rich elite". Guys spending the big coin on the old muscle cars are everyday sorts (plumbers, electrical contractors, engineers, etc).

Younger ppl (of which there are many on here) do not understand the pull of the muscle cars. You weren't there at the time.

A lot of those guys that identify most closely with that era are now finding themselves with time on their hands and money in their pockets.  Say you were 20 years old in 1970, you're now 55ish and thinking about retirement.  What better way to relive those testosterone days?  It doesn't hurt that the domestic manufacturers are trying to cash in on the same emotional equity.  The two things are feeding off each other, IMO.

[BJB]

I watched a few hours of the auction, I usually like to tune in but found this year's to be particularly boring, as someone who wasn't born in the 70's I really don't have any appreciation for the muscle cars, I would have liked to see exotics like Mercedes or Ferrari or Porsche, I was really disappointed to see the same muscle cars over and over, but that's just my opinion and I'm sure it picked up good ratings from those old enough to appreciate those cars.

[eddy4]

There were many "Exotics" sold in this auction but you only saw what Speed channel thought was interesting to their audience... mostly middle america..

but my gawd 4million bucks for a modified bus...!!!! you can get a brand new Prevost motorcoach with slide outs , plasma tv , and still buy a house and a Bently....

[Scaerio]

Just wait until a pristine 1986 Civic 1600s or a Corolla GTS (like Migs has) hits the B-J block in 2026 and sells for $1.5 million!   

[ovr50]

 

[Scaerio]

You know it's gonna come, all those ricer kids are gonna wanna re-live their glory days when they're hittn' 60...

[Turbo Bob]

History repeatin' itself, challenger and camaro follow successful Ford Mustang, oil prices kill the lot!

[barrie1]

There was dozens of the expensive Import cars there. This lasted 6 days on TV for up to 18 hours each day. The big Money is still on the North American Hotrods and always probably will be. The Clones were going for more Money then some of the Originals Cuda's with the actual Hemi Config under the hood.  That was really weird but certain colours also went for more and some cars such as a 1970 Chevelle Convertible with a real racing pedigree  1/4 mile record holder for its day went for for a Million one 50 because of what it was. A majority of the Shelbys Clones or not went for big bucks as well. Carrol Shelby was actually there and actually signed a few of the cars live. They usually went for around $150.00 to $250.00 .  The Highest item sold was a Very Special Bus which was one of 12 which was built in 1950. It was part of a convoy in 1950 that was showing GM the new ways of the world and modern expressions of the automobile. This is No.3 of the convoy and apparently 9 of these still exsist except only 3 are redone to this spec. Originally they were early Diesels but now redone with gas engines. Quite a site this unit with all its Stainless steel on the sides. A Magnificeint Red and Stainlles highly polished. If you see it ever you will understand why. Unbelievely Beautiful in the realm of vehicles. I am semiretired and took the time to witness them sell almost 6000 vehicles in this 35th year auction    :)