The Cars to Watch at the January Arizona Auctions

The Pilgrimage to the Valley of the Sun has begun. Tents are being erected and car trailers are seen along Arizona’s Interstate heading for Phoenix and Scottsdale. We love this time of year because for almost two weeks straight, fabulous automobiles can be seen, bought or sold within a 30 minute drive of Sky Harbor airport in Phoenix.

Four of the top auction houses will be presenting some fabulous cars for collectors to choose from and spectators to enjoy. Of course there’s always some not-to-fabulous beasts that have been polished so brightly that the glare may hide its flaws, and buyers need to beware – don’t let alcohol and a frenzied bidding war have you towing home heartache.

Barrett-Jackson will be presenting the most automobiles with approximately 900 cars over six days. With their “something for everybody” approach and never a reserve price, the Barrett-Jackson event will see the most attendees come through their doors. The cars that we'll be watching include the first production Ford Thunderbird - a 1955 convertible; Sidney Allard’s personal racer – a 1947 Allard; Eleanor, the Gone in Sixty Seconds 1967 Mustang, and the 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Yenko Copo Coupe – one of only 3 personally sold by Don Yenko for use in NHRA drag racing, and the only survivor. We would supply the web links to these cars, but Barrett-Jackson’s web folks have disabled that function. You can view their entire vehicle listing here.

Russo and Steele will have about 500 cars over five days coming through their unique ground level auction arena with elevated platform seating placed 360 degrees around the stage. Contrary to Barrett-Jackson's approach to a "no reserve" price tag, Russo and Steele's cars all have a reserve price to meet before they can sell. The comparison will be interesting. We’ve always appreciated how comfortable this auction house makes buyers feel with a relaxed, but classy atmosphere under their tent. We’ll be paying special attention to the 1963 Shelby Cobra with a historically significant racing career, a 1955 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Gullwing, a stunning 1953 Packard Caribbean Convertible, the highly awarded 1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Phaeton and a Hooper-bodied one-off 1949 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith.

Gooding & Company will have about 100 cars come up on the block during their one day event on January 17th, and they have chosen their line up so well it’s hard to pick just a few to call our favorites. Our prediction is that G & C will have the highest sale price for the week. (note: you'll need to register on their site to view these links) We are particularly attracted to the One-Off Pebble Beach, Amelia Island and Meadow Brook Concours d Elegance Award-Winning 1938 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Sport Cabriolet, a Two-Time Pebble Beach Concours d Elegance Award Winner 936 Bugatti Type 57 Pillarless Coupe, and the spectacular 1937 Talbot-Lago T150 C SS Tear Drop Coupe and the drop-dead-gorgeous 1933 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A Dual Cowl Sports Tourer that has made three movie debuts. If you can’t be there, you can view the auction on Gooding & Company’s website.

Like Gooding & Company, RM Auctions will have a one day event presenting over 120 cars on January 16th. And as always, RM has assembled a collection of some of the rarest and most desirable motor cars you’ll find at this year’s Arizona event. We’ll be admiring all the cars at RM’s Automobiles of Arizona event, but getting up close and personal to chassis #002 of the five Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Roadsters built, a fabulous 1937 Bugatti 57SC Atalante Coupe, the iconic 1914 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Boat-Tail Skiff, an exotic looking 1950 Mercury Custom "Bob Hope Special", the 1954 Dodge Firearrow III Sports Coupe Concept Car, and the entire Dr. Barbara Mae Atwood Collection.

Needless to say, we are really looking forward to next week.