The marketing and sales muscle of Barrett-Jackson is simply astounding. The company’s Scottsdale 2022 auction docket is simply amazing – and not just in terms of the sheer number of collectible vehicles offered. The depth, breadth, and “cool factor” of this auction docket defies imagination. That is, until you consider that this organization has been in existence in one form or another since 1971. Auction companies have come and gone, with some longstanding companies shockingly imploded just recently.
Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale auctions are amazing, large-scale events that draw spectators and bidders worldwide. Scheduled for Saturday, January 22, through Sunday, January 30, at WestWorld of Scottsdale, it is an event that cannot be missed and essential for any car-crazy person. I was working another auction in 2018 and given permission to head to Barrett-Jackson on my last day at Scottsdale after my post-auction duties were completed. I had a rental car and thought I would be able to squeeze in at least a cursory visit. However, upon arrival and parking my car, it took about 30 minutes just to get to the entrance. With time tight to my flight home, I actually had to head back to my car far away and dejectedly head to Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport to begin the laborious process to fly home. The moral of the story: give yourself PLENTY of time to arrive, park, enter, and enjoy all the auctions, events, and vendors Barrett-Jackson has available!
One of the most diverse and interesting collections to be offered by Barrett-Jackson during this year’s massive Scottsdale auction has to be the 14-vehicle grouping under the “Flying Marlin Collection” banner. Based in Arizona, this assemblage is offered by Barrett-Jackson entirely Without Reserve – meaning to the highest bidder. I have the privilege of writing the auction descriptions for this collection and each vehicle deserves detailed study in its own right. Here are summaries for each of these interesting and unique vehicles.
Let’s start with one of the most unique and startlingly valuable vehicles from this stellar collection – Lot 964.1, a 2020 Polaris RZR Custom ROV. Based on many vehicle types and known by many different names and acronyms, including side-by-sides (SxS), utility task vehicles (UTV) or recreational off-road vehicles (ROV), these fun machines have taken the Powersports marketplace by storm over the past few decades. This Polaris RZR custom ROV is simply amazing, considering its already potent original specs and big-ticket upgrades. Built and comprehensively upgraded by the professionals at Arizona’s TMW Off-Road for the “Destination Polaris” TV show (2020, Episode 9), it is completely tricked out for fast rides in the roughest conditions.
Lot 965.1 will be near and dear to plenty of folks who fondly remember the 1980s. A faithful recreation of the high-flying pickups used on TV’s the Fall Guy starring Lee Majors, this 1984 Chevy K10 Pickup recalls the GMC-branded pickups used on the show. Faithfully restored by the Automotive and Collision Repair students at Indiana’s Vincennes University, it is accompanied by a wealth of memorabilia and includes the autograph of none other than Lee “Colt Seavers” Majors!
This slick Pro Touring style 1973 Chevrolet Camaro is offered as Lot 929. Done up as a Z/28 recreation, it is powered by a 383ci “stroker” V8 engine mated to a manual 5-speed TREMEC transmission. Equipped with an Eagle crankshaft, Speed Pro pistons, Dart cylinder heads, 10-bolt Positraction rear end, Holley fuel injection, power steering and brakes, and an upgraded suspension, it looks ready to carve corners while looking amazing throughout.
This 1959 Studebaker Scotsman pickup, listed on the Barrett-Jackson docket as Lot 183, is finished in Alaskan Blue with white bumpers, wheels and lettering over a matching light blue interior, with power delivered by a high-torque rebuilt L-head inline 6-cylinder engine backed by a 3-speed manual transmission with synchromesh on second and top gears. A complete body-off, no-expense-spared restoration was performed down to the last nut and bolt. Features and options include overdrive, Studebaker’s “Climatizer Fresh Air” heater, and an optional outside rear-view mirror.
Representing the basis of Ferruccio Lamborghini’s industrial dynasty, this 1966 Lamborghini 1R tractor is Lot 926. Recently and correctly restored by Italy’s Garage 961, the sole restorer recognized by the Ferruccio Lamborghini Museum, it features correct colors with power by an air-cooled 26-horsepower two-cylinder engine. Complete with an Italian libretto, it will make a perfect addition to your farm, vineyard, or Lamborghini collection.
On the modern side of the Lamborghini ledger, this 2019 Lamborghini Huracàn Performante Spyder is simply stunning throughout and capable of hitting a factory-claimed 202 miles per hour flat out. Catalogued as Lot 1406, it is offered with just 350 approximate miles from new. Priced over $363,000 when new, it features Matte Nero Nemesis paint over a Nero Cosmus Performante interior, plus a black convertible top, green brake calipers and Lime Green accents, plus a stunningly long list of factory options, including the $3,500 chassis lifting system.
While some owners are content with the already formidable specifications and performance delivered by the celebrated modern 911 Turbo, Lot 1275, this 2015 Porsche 911 Turbo carries a surprise package in the form of expert upgrades raising output above 700 horsepower. Equipped with an amazing array of factory options, its upgraded powertrain takes this Turbo’s experience to an entirely and decidedly stunning level!
Available through Ford dealers since 2006, the modern Mustang-based Shelby GTs are unqualified collector cars with pure Shelby attitude and amazing performance. The 2020 edition of the GT500 exemplifies these cars in every possible respect. Delivered new to Phoenix, this virtually as-new GT500® features a hand-built, supercharged 5.2-liter V-8 with 760 HP, Tremec 7-speed automatic, 3.73:1 rear end, and nearly $10,700 in factory options. Complete with window sticker and professional vehicle protection, it crosses the Barrett-Jackson auction block as Lot 1271.
If you need a tow rig or just a high-end pickup truck capable of virtually any job you want to throw at it, Lot 1160 just might be the ticket. A top-of-the-line 2019 Ram 2500 Limited Mega Cab 4X4, this amazingly well-equipped, Arizona-delivered Ram 2500 features nearly $23K in factory options according to window sticker, including the $9,100 6.7L Cummins turbodiesel engine, 17-speaker Harmon Kardon® Premium Sound System, heavy-duty features, and passenger amenities worthy of a top-end luxury sedan.
The go-anywhere Jeep is an American institution, and this 2019 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon is a prime example, with far too many upgrades and features to fully list here. Powered by a DOHC 2.0-liter Turbo eTorque inline 4-cylinder engine delivering 270 factory-rated horsepower via an 8-speed automatic transmission, factory features include 4:1 Rock-Trac HD Part Time 4WD system, Tru-Lok front and rear axles, 4.10 axle gear ratio and third-generation Dana 44 HD wide front and rear axles. A myriad of choice upgrades makes the experience of this amazingly well equipped Jeep even better and it warrants close examination as Lot 965 for all the value it delivers.
While the above Jeep is an amazing vehicle with all of its standard, optional, and upgraded features, Lot 779.2 – a 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 – is a stunning performer with its 470-horsepower HEMI V8 engine backed by an automatic transmission. Just 64 actual miles were accumulated at the time of cataloguing and features include the Dual-Door Group with premium uppers, a hardtop headliner, hinge gate reinforcement, integrated off-road camera, trailer-towing package and much more. According to Car and Driver magazine testing, it is capable of stunning performance, including zero to 60 mph in 4.0 seconds and the quarter-mile in 12.9 seconds, with top speed governed to a relatively sane 112 mph – wise, given the model’s very short wheelbase.
Now highly collectible, this 1984 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 is a highly desirable L69 5.0-Liter High Output car that when new raised the bar on Chevrolet high performance with 190 factory-rated horsepower and 240 foot-pounds of torque for near-14 second quarter-mile performance. Offered with 210 actual miles at the time of writing, it has limited owner history and features a four-speed automatic transmission, air conditioning, and a factory AM/FM cassette stereo system. Chevy’s top Camaro during the mid-1980s performance wars against Ford’s potent 5.0-liter Mustang, this 1984 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 is a highly collectible, low-mile example in L69 tune, catalogued as Lot 927.
Inspired by BMW’s 2014 German Touring Car Champion, Lot 928 continued to advance the German automaker’s “Ultimate Driving Machine” mantra with trim proportions, sleek styling and, of course, excellent performance and handling. Finished in Estoril Blue, this 2018 BMW 440i Gran Coupe is offered with just under 33,000 miles and features a fighter jet-style Heads Up Display (HUD), leather interior, and M-Sport package. Powered by a turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve inline-6 engine, it produces 320hp at 5,500 rpm in concert with an 8-speed automatic transmission. According to magazine testing, performance credentials include 4.4-second 0-to-60 mph acceleration and the quarter-mile in 12.9 seconds at 109 mph, anchor-like braking, and outstanding handling.
Rounding out the Flying Marlin Collection at Barrett-Jackson is Lot 966 – a Roman Red 1961 Chevrolet Corvette – a perennially desirable example of “America’s Sports Car” in very nice and enjoyable driver quality. An original Arizona car in rare factory-specified two-tone paint, it features excellent performance with a 283ci, 270hp “Dual Quad” engine with solid ‘Duntov’ cam and 4-speed transmission.
All Flying Marlin Collection vehicles will be sold at No Reserve – to the highest bidder – at Barrett-Jackson’s upcoming Scottsdale auction. Solidly in the market, they are ready for new owners to enjoy and appreciate.
