The Barrett-Jackson Auction Co. is holding its annual auto auction Jan. 18-24 in Scottsdale, Ariz., drawing car enthusiasts from around the globe to what is billed as "The World's Greatest Collector Car Auction." Of course, we just call it Car Heaven.
Although hundreds of vehicles will cross the auction block, few will draw as much attention as these 8 amazing rides.
1952 WATSON ROADSTER CUSTOM BY BLASTOLENE
This Blastolene is a hand-built work of art, created around a 29L, 12-cylinder Patton tank engine that produces 910 horsepower. It has a 160-inch wheelbase and an overall length of 270 inches, weighing in at a whopping 8,400 lbs. This is the second and only other tank-powered car built by the artists at Blastolene. The first was created in 2002 and then quickly snatched up by auto enthusiast Jay Leno.
2008 FORD SHELBY GT500KR COUPE
This beast is No. 2 of 1,000 built and the only 2008 GT500KR that's silver with black racing stripes. Under the hood, it packs a supercharged 5.4L engine with 540 horsepower. Shelby GT500KR production began in Las Vegas on Jan. 11, 2008, on legendary auto designer Carroll Shelby's 85th birthday. This GT500KR is a one-owner Ford executive car with less than 390 actual miles.
1966 MERCURY COMET FUNNY CAR
Drag racing history was changed forever in 1966 when Lincoln Mercury caught the competition completely off guard by unveiling the world's first fliptop funny cars. Fran Hernandez, Chief of Lincoln Mercury Racing Division, engineered five factory Comets, and this is the lone survivor. Some of the historical firsts attributed to this funny car include the first stage 1 Logghe chassis, the first automatic transmission and also the first escape hatch.
1966 SHELBY GT350 FASTBACK
Say hello to the very first '66 production Shelby. It's the first of the 252 extremely desirable Shelby "carryover" cars which were built and slated to be a '65 Shelby. It, like the others, was modified as the prototype for production 1966 Shelbys and today retains its prototype status. These early production "carryover" cars combined the best of both the '65 and '66 models. It's powered by a fully rebuilt 289 Hi-Po, 306hp V8 and proper T-10M Aluminum 4-speed transmission.
Just what every garage needs: a Daytona 500-winning racecar resting inside. Nicknamed Buster, this ultimate NASCAR collectible was built during the 1990-1991 season for driver Davey Allison. It sat on the pole of the 1991 Daytona 500 but crashed in a wreck with legendary driver Dale Earnhardt. Following another wreck in May 1991 at Talladega Superspeedway (Ala.), it was repaired and later took home the checkered flag during 1992's Daytona 500.
1975 SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION "BONNEVILLE BOSS" CUSTOM LSR HAULER AND MODEL
For the guy who has everything, this is a specially constructed transporter, dubbed the "Bonneville Boss," that carries "The Proud American" land-speed record-breaking rocket car. In storage for 30 years, the carrier features a hydraulically operated ramp that totes a prototype hydrogen peroxide rocket-powered LSR car.
2009 DODGE CHALLENGER SRT "RICHARD PETTY'S SERIAL #0001"
This Dodge Challenger is titled in NASCAR king Richard Petty's name and powered by a late-model 426cid HEMI with 585 horsepower, 560ft/lbs. of torque and breathing through a 90mm Arrington throttle body and cold-air intake. Painted in trademark "Petty Blue," it has the serial number 0001, marking it as the very first car to come from newly formed, custom-car makers Petty's Garage. The coolest part is that all proceeds from its sale will go to charity.
1930 FORD MODEL A COUPE—JOHN DILLINGER'S GETAWAY CAR
OK, so the car itself isn't excessively cool, but its history sure is. This Model A was used by infamous bank robbers John Dillinger, Homer Van Meter and John Hamilton to escape the FBI. Agents were sent to Little Bohemia, Wis., on April 22, 1934, to apprehend Dillinger - dead or alive - at the request of President Roosevelt and J. Edgar Hoover.
Live coverage of the 39th Annual Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Collector Car Auction begins Jan. 19 on the SPEED channel.