Tag Archives: Scottsdale

Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Fall 2025 Auction Results

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Let’s take a moment to compare two cities: Las Vegas and Laughlin. Las Vegas is one of the most-visited cities in the country, with more than 40 million visitors annually. As the self-proclaimed Entertainment Capital of the World, it has plenty of live shows, entertainment, music, attractions, and experiences to satisfy every desire. And of course, it is a global hotspot for casino gaming.

Just 90 miles south of the Las Vegas Strip is Laughlin, Nevada. Situated along the Colorado River on the Arizona-Nevada border, Laughlin also has casino gaming. But with 1 million annual visitors, it is a completely different atmosphere. Compared to Las Vegas, Laughlin has less traffic, less competition for hotel rooms, and smaller crowds, while still offering gaming, restaurants, and live music and entertainment.

Both cities exist to serve different needs. In the same way, Barrett-Jackson’s big Scottsdale January auction is like Las Vegas, while the Scottsdale Fall auction is like Laughlin.

The Scottsdale Fall auction still has hundreds of collector cars auctioned at no reserve. It still has vendors and exhibits, great food, and live music. The advantage of the smaller-format auction is this: less crowded, less busy, less hectic than the January auction, but still plenty of fun and excitement.

 

The four-day Scottsdale Fall 2025 auction has concluded as of October 18th. Here are the top-selling collector cars:

1). 2006 Ford GT Heritage Edition No. 3 Lot #1026 – $742,500

2). 2006 Ford GT Lot #1056 – $660,000

3). 2021 Ford GT MK II Lot #1051 – $605,000

4). 1976 Ford Bronco Custom SUV Lot #1086 – $440,000

5). 1968 Ford Mustang Licensed Eleanor 25th Anniv. Limited Edition Lot #1068 – $429,000

6). 1972 Ford Bronco Custom SUV Lot #1082 – $379,000

7). 2025 Porsche 911 Turbo S Lot #1045 – $341,000

8). 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Lot #1056.1 – $330,000

9). 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Coupe by Jeff Hayes Customs Lot #1063 – $330,000

10). 1957 Chevrolet Corvette Custom Convertible Lot #977 – $291,500

The excitement continued with two special auctions to benefit charity. Lot #3001 was a 1966 Harley-Davidson FLH custom motorcycle by Paul Cox, which sold for $145,000, all of which went to benefit the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

Lot #3002 was a 1988 Chevrolet Corvette 35th Anniversary Edition, which raised $200,000 for the American Heart Association.

The big Scottsdale auction returns January 17-25, 2026 at Westworld. With even more cars, the Rock the Block kickoff concert and so much more, it is a must-attend event. Get your tickets at Barrett-Jackson.com.

1966 Pontiac GTO – Barrett-Jackson 2023

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Being an Oldsmobile fanatic, I subscribe to the theory that the 1949 Rocket 88 with it’s 135hp, 303 cubic inch OHV V8 is the original muscle car. To many others the original muscle car is the Pontiac GTO, and I can’t say that I have a good reason to disagree. The formula is simple: Take a mid-sized car and stick the larger engine from the full-size car in it. Add a couple extra go fast parts and a stick shift and you’re literally off to the races.

The Pontiac GTO began life in the early 60’s as a trim model of the Pontiac LeMans/Tempest. Using a creative loophole that circumvented the rule GM had about maximum displacement in midsized cars, Pontiac utilized the 389 V8 and offered it as the GTO option. I think that the Hurst 4-speed manual and tri-power carburetor setup on the 389 is the epitome of factory muscle car, and this 1966 model is the last year you could get this pairing. It was good for a gross rating of 360hp, and that could get you to the end of the 1/4 mile in 14 seconds flat.

Speaking of options, the ’66 GTO was also the first production car with a plastic grill, and this particular model came optioned with a 3.55:1 limited slip differential as well as the “Ride and Handling” package.

The GTO peaked in 1970 with the 455HO model and performance would be downhill until the GTO was relegated to a trim package on what was a badge-engineered Chevy Nova. The X-body platform Ventura took on the GTO name in 1974. An unceremonious end to the spark that ignited the muscle craze, this model would option the car with a 3-speed manual and 200hp V8.

Pontiac would then shelve the name, reviving it decades later for the Holden Monaro imports that lasted a couple years. Say what you will about the exterior styling, even the lesser 350hp 2004 GTO would lay waste to any prior car to bear the namesake. However it only remained in production in the US market until MY2006. Pontiac itself was retired not too long after in 2010.

This particular Goat was retired from the auction block at $66,000.

1984 Chevrolet Corvette – Barrett-Jackson 2023

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The transition from the C3 Corvette of 1968-1982 to the C4 Corvette of 1984-1996 was a bit of a production palpitation for Chevrolet’s flagship sportscar. Model year 1983 essentially didn’t exist and when the 1984 model finally came out it had a modern exterior and interior, new chassis and a novel 4+3 computer-controlled manual transmission with automatic overdrive.

…and also the pathetic Crossfire 350 engine carried over from the C3 Corvette. This 5.7L housed a camshaft that would soon make the 5.0L a serious performer in the third generation F-bodies. It was also topped off with a combined 750 CFM from the TBI units. By 1980’s standards this should have been a recipe for decent power. Instead RPO L83 with it’s convoluted dual-TBI cross-ram was the impetus of the bad reputation that the fourth generation Corvette received.

So how did we end up with just 205hp at 4,300 RPM? Many blame the flow potential of the intake itself, with obstructed peanut ports limiting the airflow to less than 500 CFM before it hit the heads. I would also speculate that the factory 624 heads with their low-velocity ports and primitive chamber design play a large factor in the motors gutless reputation.

That being said I have slowly come to appreciate the idiosyncrasies of the Crossfire 5.7L, even if only for it’s unique intake design and boxy cover. For performance purposes we can be thankful it was only available in the C4 for 1984. From 1985 to 1996 the TPI, LT1, LT4 and LT5 variants would emerge: Engines that would restore the Corvette’s reputation as the ultimate American sportscar. This was the generation of the naturally aspirated, all aluminum, 32-valve 405hp V8. The King of the Hill.

A hill that started as a mound back in 1984 with a paltry 205hp.

This particular 1984 C4 Corvette with it’s 700r4 automatic overdrive and 16,000 original miles finished it’s auction run at Barrett Jackson Scottsdale topping out at $13,200.

1993 Porsche 968 – Barrett-Jackson 2023

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In the US market the Porsche 968 has much less notoriety than it’s other front-engine/rear-drive, water-cooled brethren. It is essentially a final hurrah to the 924/944 platform, but with an updated exterior sharing a lot of design cues from the 928.

The 968’s naturally-aspirated 3.0L inline four was good for an impressive 237hp thanks to a variable cam timing system and some tuning, a 30hp increase over the 944 S2. Keep in mind you were still paying for a Porsche and this car would set you back nearly $40k in the economy of the early 90s, about 3x the cost of a Ford Mustang Cobra.

This particular example seen at BJA Scottsdale came with the desirable 6-speed manual, good for a 0-60 of 6.5 seconds. It was also equipped with power driver’s seat, power windows and air conditioning as well as Moton Clubsport adjustable suspension.

What does all of this add up to in 2023 money? This entry level Amazon Green N/A 4-cylinder that could straight-line with the best of it’s era’s pony cars crossed the auction block at $25,850.

 

Gold Rush Rally: GRX 2018 in Scottsdale

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Pagani Huayra at the Gold Rush Rally in Scottsdale

The origins of the automotive rally date back more than 100 years to 1895 in France, when early motorsports enthusiasts came up with a point-to-point race using public roads, as there were very few race tracks at the time. Today, the tradition of a city to city road rally is as popular as ever.

One of the most elite in the United States is the Gold Rush Rally, now in its 10th year. For 2018 the route covers ten cities in ten days, stretching more than 3,500 miles from Boston to Las Vegas.

The event is open to those who can afford the steep price tag of $22,000 for the full route, or $11,000 for half of the journey. The cost includes VIP parties, lodging in first-class accommodations, and the experience of being part of a rolling party of automotive mayhem. As you might imagine, the entry fee attracts a certain type of individual with a preference for exotic, high-end supercars and luxury cars. These cars are often modified with body kits, aftermarket wheels, and exotic wraps. Think of it like your local car meet, only far more expensive.

Over 20 teams registered for the 2018 event, which has also attracted a number of high-level corporate sponsors including Barrett-Jackson, Michelin Tires, Lexus, and Vorsteiner just to name a few. The rally features support vehicles, police escorts, and private track experiences along the way.

While I am not part of the Gold Rush Rally nor am I a sponsor or a vendor, I do have an appreciation for exotic cars and for the lifestyle, so I decided to head out to Scottsdale to check out the cars and the teams on Day 9 of the ten-day event.

Vorsteiner Ferrari

Sunday, June 1, 2018
The cars rolled into the parking lot at Luxury Auto Collection after spending the night at the 5-star Fairmont Princess Resort. LAC was the host of this event, with breakfast for the teams and a chance to see the GRR teams for the public. I arrived half an hour early and was greeted by a crowd of 30-40 car spotters already in place, lined up along both sides of the road. Telephoto lenses, stabilizers, and DSLR cameras were the order of the day. Continue reading →

GoodGuys 20th Southwest Nationals

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For 20 years, the GoodGuys Rod & Custom Association has been bringing the excitement to Arizona. The Southwest Nationals is a huge 3-day event featuring a car show, autocross competition, swap meet, exhibitor displays, great food and live music, and so much more! We were fortunate enough to attend the 2017 event. Check out the video for some of the highlights of this year’s show!