Saturday is the big one. The most energy, the highest dollar cars, and the biggest crowds. That doesn’t mean Friday doesn’t have some nice restos and rare musclecars. As the days get longer the cars get louder, more radical, and the workmanship level ratchets up as the original cars are replaced with hand-built and one-off creations. On Friday morning, we walked into the Big Tent and were immediately hit with a Dave Kindig 638-inch twin-turbo Nelson-powered 1966 Nova that had been stretched and chopped and hosed with Mercedes Hibiscus Red. Then we saw a one-of-100, 2005 Ford GTX1 roadster build by Ford engineer Kip Ewing. The inside tents are also home to a 1932 Ardun-powered roadster and several other pre-war vehicles and continuation cars. You can see all of these cars live on Motor Trend or check back with us for Saturday coverage.
Kindig 1966 Nova II SS
The crown jewel of this build is the 638-inch aluminum big-block with a pair of 96mm turbos. Even with 15 pounds of boost, the math says more than 1,200 hp. The rest of the car is seemingly wrapped around it. This car took a year to build and we are curious to see what it commands tomorrow.
2005 Ford GTX1
We didn’t know about this Ford GT variant likely because there were only 100 made over a two year lifespan. It’s largely a stock GT with the edition of a removable roof bar and modified engine cover and doors inspired by the original open-top GT40 from the 1960s.
1932 Ford Ardun Roadster
This roadster body was found in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It was brought back to the U.S. where it was built with an Ardun-headed 239ci Flathead and a three-speed. The hammer price was $52,000.
1957 Buick Special Convertible
This is the first $100,000 car we’ve seen at this year’s auction. It’s an older restoration of a Nailhead-powered classic. The paint is Seminole Red and Dover White and the option sheet includes just about every option available in 1957.
1970 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am
We were waiting to see what early Trans Ams were worth after seeing several of them on the outer tents that hadn’t been sold yet. This is a low mile 400ci Ram Air III car with an auto and a 12-bolt. It sold for $41,000.
1963 Corvette
According to the owner of this 63, Hertz bought a large number of Corvettes in 1963 and 1964 and equipped them with snow tires and ski racks for use in the local ski areas. It’s 327/Glide equipped in Polar White.
2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon
This is a car that should need no introduction. It’s the limited edition Challenger that makes 840hp and has a factory trans brake and other drag racing equipment from the factory. We’ve seen roughly a half dozen of these at the show and are curious if they are ripe for a profit after only a year of appreciation.
1964 Ford Fairlane Thunderbolt Recreation
We thought we saw all the bargains yesterday. This Thunderbolt recreation (they don’t call them clones anymore) and has a 427ci engine and a four-speed. It’s set up like the original T-Bolt drag cars with fiberglass parts and a 350:1 geared Trak-Loc differential. It sold for $35,000.
1970 Plymouth Cuda
It wouldn’t be Barrett-Jackson without a violet Cuda with a big-block and a shaker. This one also has a four-speed, and was built at Hamtramck and delivered to Cedar Rapid, Iowa in 1970. Look for this beauty on Saturday.
1980 Pontiac Firebird
We threw this one in because it caught our eye. It’s loaded with aftermarket parts and has an LS swap with a 4L60E overdrive transmission. There are plenty of paint mods, diffusers, spoilers, graphics, and fins and flippers to make this our favorite 80s car of the show.
Barrett-Jackson ushers in a new year of high-octane auction action during its 48th Annual Scottsdale Auction, featuring some of the world’s most coveted collector vehicles and authentic automobilia collectibles, January 12-20, 2019, at WestWorld of Scottsdale. As in decades past, The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions® will be the epicenter of Collector Car Auction Week and entertain thousands of automotive enthusiasts with interactive exhibits, entertainment and activities. Check your local TV listings to see it live on The MotorTrend Channel and download the app for exclusive, live coverage.
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