It’s not car week in Scottsdale without Barrett-Jackson and they’ve been putting on a solid performance thus far. While some significant cars certainly sell other days of the week at Barrett-Jackson, the big day is Saturday January 28. These are some notable cars set to the cross the block this coming Saturday.
The Toyota Supra has a long and storied history dating back to the late 1970s. Originally released as the Celica Supra, the first generation of the car featured a 2.6L inline-6 engine and a 5-speed manual transmission. The second generation of the Supra was released in 1986, and featured a 3.0L turbocharged inline-6 engine. This generation of the Supra is the most fondly remembered by enthusiasts, as it featured up to impressive 320 hp. The third generation of the Supra was released in 1993, and featured a 3.0L twin-turbocharged engine, which could produce up to 320 hp. The fourth generation of the Supra was released in 1998, and featured a 3.0L twin-turbocharged engine, which could produce up to 330 hp.
This example is in good condition and has relatively low mileage so the bidders should get very excited to see this on the auction block.
The 1987 Buick GNX was a limited-edition sports car produced in collaboration between Buick and General Motors. It was the highest-performance version of the Grand National, and only 547 were ever produced. The GNX featured a unique turbocharged 3.8-liter V6 engine that produced a powerful 276 horsepower and 360 lb-ft of torque. The car also included a unique 4-speed automatic transmission with a “traction control” feature. The GNX was one of the most advanced and powerful American production cars of its time, and it remained the fastest American production car for some time. It has since become a highly sought-after vehicle and this is one of two examples set to cross the block at Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale on January 28.
The Plymouth Superbird was a limited-production, factory-modified version of the Plymouth Road Runner with well-known aerodynamic modifications that were designed for NASCAR racing. It debuted in 1970 and was produced until 1971.
The Superbird was based on the design of the 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona, with a longer nosecone and a rear wing. The Superbird’s unique features were designed to help it achieve higher speeds on the racetrack, as well as better handling. The longer nosecone was designed to reduce air drag, while the large rear wing was designed to increase downforce on the rear tires.
The Plymouth Superbird was powered by the same engines as the Road Runner, including the 426 Hemi V8 and 440 Super Commando, as well as special NASCAR engines. The Superbird was offered with three-speed manual, four-speed manual, and TorqueFlite automatic transmissions.
The Plymouth Superbird was a success on the racetrack, helping to bring Plymouth its first NASCAR Grand National Series victory after only 5 starts. It was also successful in showrooms, with a total of 1,920 cars produced.
Today, the Plymouth Superbird is considered a classic muscle car and is highly sought after by collectors. It is an iconic piece of automotive history and a testament to the ingenuity of the engineers who designed it.
The Pontiac Firebird Trans Am was an iconic muscle car first released in 1967. It was designed as a special performance package for the Firebird and featured an array of improvements, including a large V8 engine, sport-tuned suspension, and distinctive styling. The car was an instant hit, with its aggressive look and powerful engine, and the Trans Am quickly gained a devoted following. Over the years, the car has become emblematic of an entire era of performance cars, and remains an icon of popular culture.
The Oldsmobile 442 is a classic muscle car that was first introduced in 1964. The name is an acronym for “4-barrel carburetor, 4-speed manual transmission, and dual exhaust”. The original 442 was powered by a 330 cubic inch V8 engine that was capable of producing up to 350 horsepower and up to 445 lb-ft of torque.
The 442 was offered as an option on the Cutlass F-85 model and the early versions had a three-speed manual transmission. In 1965, a four-speed version was offered, which further increased the performance of the car. The 442 was also one of the first Oldsmobile cars to feature a limited-slip differential as an option.
The 442 was highly successful and became one of Oldsmobile’s most popular models over time. This example is one of just 10 equipped with factor air conditioning. It’s finished in a 1971-exclusive “Bittersweet” paint with black stripes and underwent a frame-off restoration in 1991. It was refreshed in 2016 and features a matching numbers engine and transmission. A four-owner car, this should be quite exciting when it hits the block at Barrett-Jackson on Saturday, January 28.