2005 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction - Auction ActionWritten by on July 1, 2005 Mopars Shine At Barrett-Jackson
It was billed as The World's Greatest Auto Auction, and one walk through the place confirmed it. The 2005 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction was an outrageous automotive event, even for the jaded veterans. It was a glitz and glamour affair with nearly 900 automobiles and over 4,000 serious bidders. The auctioneers kept the excitement level high, and with free booze flowing (courtesy of Mopar) and large quantities of lit and unlit Bolivar cigars about the place, it reminded us of a Las Vegas Casino. however, instead of slot machines and poker tables, there were rare and desirable musclecars. You had to be there to fully comprehend the massive size and the excitement of it all.
Chrysler product aficionados had a lot to view at the 34th annual running of this famous Arizona classic car auction. the Dodge-Chrysler-Jeep pavilion was "front and center" as you walked into the show, and showcased the latest DCX product lineup, with particular emphasis on the new Hemi-powered vehicles, as well as references to the past Hemi powerplants from the '50s through the '71 model year.
Outside the tents was a large Mopar Speed Shop display, complete with test drive opportunities for new Mopars. While there were some checking out the '05 models, most seems more intrigued with the vintage Hemis under the hoods of the various B- and E-body cars that were scattered everywhere you looked. There's no question that Mopar products have gained respect in the new car and collector car worlds, and it's about time.
The event also featured an ample supply of slightly tamer Mopars, as well as other rare vehicles, including Li'l Red Express Trucks, original drag package cars, vintage race cars, and several early Chrysler letter cars. The place was Mopar Heaven!
The crowd loved the mighty Mopars when it came time for them to roll up on the auction block, and the prices were high, especially for cars with matching numbers and low production figures. But who was buying? What we saw were jet-setting computer geeks that think Mopars are cool. They have no real kinship with them; they just see it as a purchase. Then, in a year or so, when they grow tired of the car, they'll sell it. The problem with that is since they paid so much, they have to ask a huge price to recoup their funds. All this, because they thought they wanted a cool car, not because they are true enthusiasts. So what has that done to the market place? Take a look at the top selling 20 Mopars (prices include buyer/seller commissions). We're pretty sure that some people have more money than brains.
1. '36 Viper-powered Chrysler Airflow Street Rod-$550,800
2. '70 Dan Gurney AAR Trans-Am 'Cuda, vintage racer-$388,800
3. '70 hand-built Hemi 'Cuda P-1970 press preview car with unique non-production features-$329,400
4. '70 Hemi Superbird, 1 of 77, auto, power steering, power brakes, eight-track-$307,800
5. '70 Hemi 'Cuda, auto, track pack, bench seat-$270,000
6. '63 426 Max Wedge two-door-post Plymouth Belvedere, radio/heater delete, 24K miles-$243,000
7. '61 Chrysler 300G convertible, 413/375, 1 of 337-$226,600
8. '68 Hemi Dart, four-speed, original Hurst package car in primer/gel coat-$207,900
9. '61 Chrysler 300G convertible, 413/400, rare three-speed manual transmission-$205,200
10. '70 'Cuda convertible, Nash Bridges TV car, Hemi recreation/clone-$164,160
11. '48 Chrysler T&C convertible, original wood, rare rear-seat windscreens-$156,600
12. '66 Plymouth Belvedere II, "bank robber car," Hemi, 53K miles, original Blue Line spare tire-$151,200
13. '68 Hemi Road Runner, four-speed, redline tires, pop-out rear windows-$151,200
14. '71 383 'Cuda convertible, shaker, billboards, rear wing-$140,400
15. '67 Hemi Belvedere, factory lightweight RO23 S/S package, 1 of 55-$139,320
16. '70 'Cuda convertible, 528 Hemi recreation/clone-$118,800
17. '69 Hemi GTX, four-speed, power seat-$116,640
18. '70 Superbird, 440/6, four-speed, 34K miles-$115,560
19. '6911/42 Road runner, 440/6, auto-$114,480
20. '67 Hemi GTX, original interior-$113,400
Historical automotive artifacts are good investments, especially high-performance Mopars, but they are also fun reminders of the glorious "good old days" of high horsepower. This 2005 Scottsdale event had numerous rare and desirable Mopars that were available to all . . . all that had credit established and were willing to pay the price that is!
For more information, check out: www.barrett-jackson.com.
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This '70 'Cuda convertible features a 340 with a three-speed transmission, factory luggage rack, is a 1-of-19 in this trim, and, even rarer, a 1-of-1 with Jamaican Blue with a white leather interior. It sold for $62,640.This is one of the original 80 or so Hurst '68 Hemi Darts. The car sported original-style primer on the body and gel-coated fiberglass fenders. Restored in 1991, it sold for $207,900.This '63 Belvedere post is 1-of-18 known to exist. This one's has its original 426 Max Wedge. Sporting a mere 24,000 miles, it sold at $243,000.Editor Bolig expressed a deep interest in this '79 Li'l Red Express truck, but when the 360-powered, one-owner beauty with an unbelievable 794 miles sold at $37,800, he changed his mind.When the RO23 Belvedere II S/S Hemi package was introduced, only 55 were built. This one has 162 actual miles and never received a roll bar/cage. It sold for an owner-pleasing $139,320.This half-year wonder from Ma Mopar, the '6911/42 M-Code 440/6 Road Runner usually cost more than a few shillings to purchase. This one features an automatic transmission and 50,000 miles. It sold at $114,480.
Definitely a history piece, Dan Gurney's '70 Hot Wheels/AAR 'Cuda Trans-Am SCCA racer is currently HMSA legal and sold at $388,800.