01-22-09: We cover this event every year with an excitement that is hard to match. Nowhere in the automotive realm do you find the collection of cars, what’s gonna happen atmosphere, and pure showmanship. This year was expected to be a big downer due to the economy.
While the total sales of this year’s event was down to only $63 million and there were a few key disappointments it was better overall than many expected. The quality vintage restored cars held well, still getting all the money regardless of tough times. You can check out how they did on our Mustang Sale Prices page.
Advertisement
What was to be the biggest story of the event for Mustang enthusiasts was the sale of the first 2010 Ford Shelby GT-500. But at the last minute, they pulled the car from the docket. In a not so smart way, it was brushed under the rug with no announcement or explanation. Later we got quiet news that Carroll Shelby had caught a cold and key Ford representatives could not be present for the event due to “scheduling conflicts”. It was a bummer indeed and to some a gaffe.
The good news is that the other two Ford big ticket items did cross the block. This included the 2009 Mustang FR-500 CJ prototype which sold to Brent Hajek for $375,000. He has already purchased the first group of production FR-500 CJ’s to campaign in racing. The money went to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundations. Also selling was the first 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor truck for $143,000.
General Motors, hurting from their financial straits hocked off a huge portion of their Heritage Collection. It was almost sad to see some of their “family jewels” that included several concept cars, test mules, and other historic models being let out for what was a paltry sum for many of the cars. Tough times require tough choices. At least these cars will now see the light of day in the civilian world.
The top 10 cars sold in Scottsdale include:
1929 Ford 4-AT-E Tri-Motor airplane – $1.21 million (Lot #1307)
1955 Ford Thunderbird convertible “Production No. 1” – $660,000 (Lot #1295)
1996 Buick Custom “Blackhawk” – $522,500 (Lot #1303)
1970 Plymouth Superbird custom tribute – $501,100 (Lot #1289)
2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo NASCAR “Jeff Gordon’s” – $500,000 (Lot #1274)
2005 Saleen S7 Twin-Turbo 2-door coupe – $412,500 (Lot #1305)
2009 Ford Mustang FR500CJ Cobra Jet prototype – $375,000 (Lot #1333.1)
2010 Chevrolet Camaro “First Retail Production” – $350,000 (Lot #1316)
1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL-1 COPO coupe – $319,000 (Lot #1277.1)
1969 Chevrolet Camaro Yenko COPO coupe – $297,000 (Lot #1278)
Overall while the total take was down significantly from years past, the 2009 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale event was still a very exciting place to be for a car guy. We spend several days walking amongst the cars, the sellers, the bidders, and the exhibitioners. It is still an escape from a world where cars have become dull appliances purely a beast of burden. It is a place where cars are exciting, fun and loved.
