The Barrett-Jackson Auction Company will sell 14 vehicles to benefit various charities at No Reserve during the 38th Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction in Scottsdale, Ariz., Jan. 11-18, 2009. The total marks the most charity vehicles ever sold during a single Barrett-Jackson event, with U.S. automakers General Motors and Ford Motor Company, as well as NASCAR icons Tony Stewart and Rick Hendrick among the generous donors. Barrett-Jackson, which does not collect commissions on vehicles sold entirely for charity, helped raise a combined $6.7 million for charities during the Scottsdale, Palm Beach, Fla., and Las Vegas auctions in 2008.
"Thanks to our caring sponsors, partners and customers, we're going to offer an unprecedented number of charity cars at the 2009 Scottsdale event," said Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson. "In today's unique economic environment, these groups need extra support to continue changing lives. At Barrett-Jackson, we're devoted to increasing awareness of these charities by offering amazing vehicles on the hobby's biggest stage."
Rights to the first retail production 2010 Chevrolet Camaro coupe (Lot #1316) will be auctioned by GM to benefit the American Heart Association. The new Camaro features an eye-catching design reminiscent of the storied 1969 model, but is equipped with modern technology and a GM-estimated 27 mpg highway when outfitted with the available V6 engine. The winning bidder will receive VIN No. 100001 and can spec the Camaro to their liking, choosing from several colors, engines, transmissions and trim packages.
Ford will auction rights to the first retail version 2010 Shelby GT500 (Lot #1347.2). With world-class handling, aggressive styling and 540 horsepower, the latest generation Shelby GT500 delivers unparalleled performance. Ford will also sell the first 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor offered to the public (Lot #1347). The purpose-built, high-performance Raptor is rugged enough for challenging desert adventures yet refined enough for everyday use. All proceeds from these Ford vehicles will be donated to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Hot rod legend Boyd Coddington will be honored when a 1967 Plymouth Barracuda (Lot #1306.2) crosses the block, with all proceeds benefitting EAA's Young Eagles program. After selling the Max HEMI for charity at Barrett-Jackson in 2006, Coddington dreamed of building an even faster muscle car to auction for children. Following Coddington's passing in February 2008, West Coast Customs and volunteers like Marc Holmes of Rod and Gauges carried the torch and built the one-off 'Cuda that features a 6.1-liter, 500 horsepower V8 HEMI.
"Reaching 80,000 youth annually and more than 1.4 million since the program began, the Young Eagles flights provide life-changing inspiration," according to Tom Poberezny, president of EAA. "Aviation is a powerful tool, teaching personal responsibility, honing math and science skills and helping youth believe that, 'if you dream it, you can do it,' an attitude Boyd Coddington upheld. We are grateful to West Coast Customs, Marc Holmes and Barrett-Jackson for helping EAA continue to grow the impact of Young Eagles."
Longtime Barrett-Jackson partner, The Darrell Gwynn Foundation, will benefit from the sale of a 1970 Plymouth Superbird custom tribute (Lot #1289) and the 2007 Chevy Monte Carlo NASCAR (Lot #1575) driven by Tony Stewart to three victories in the 2006 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The Superbird was built by YearOne in conjunction with Gillette Evernham Motorsports, Musclecar TV and former pro wrestler, actor and auto enthusiast Bill Goldberg.
Jack Roush will be on stage to help auction a 2008 Ford Mustang GT ROUSH P-51A (Lot #1575.1). This 510 horsepower Mustang is No. 104 of 151 built and will benefit Speedway Children's Charities. Additional NASCAR-related charity cars will include Jeff Gordon's 2006 Chevy Monte Carlo (Lot #1274) that recorded two wins during the 2006-07 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and an officially licensed 2009 60th Anniversary NASCAR Motorcycle built by Destination Daytona (Lot #706). The bike is serial No. 60 of only 60 built and will be sold to benefit Victory Junction Gang through The NASCAR Foundation, while all proceeds from the Jeff Gordon NASCAR will be donated to the Hendrick Marrow Program.
AutoTrader.com will cater to sports fans and gear heads with the sale of a custom 2008 Chevy Tahoe (Lot #961) that includes a baseball-inspired interior and an extra hood with signatures from approximately 220 Major League Baseball players. MLB Hall of Famer Goose Gossage, who helped Autotrader.com collect the signatures as part of their Drive to a New Start program, will be on stage for the sale. Proceeds from the sale will be donated to MLB Charities.
A rare 2008 Barrett-Jackson Edition Ford Shelby GT (Lot #1563) will cross the block in Scottsdale, with all proceeds benefitting the Carroll Shelby Children's Foundation. No. 26 of only 100 produced, the Shelby features a Barrett-Jackson signature black and red paint scheme, Barrett-Jackson Edition doorsill plates, a special Barrett-Jackson gas cap insert and a Shelby-installed Supercharger.
A pristine 1957 Ford Thunderbird (Lot #1055) will be sold to benefit the automotive restoration program at McPherson College in Kansas. Restored by the McPherson students, the T-Bird is powered by a 312 c.i.d. V8 with a 3-speed Ford-o-matic transmission, power steering and power brakes.
Additional charity cars scheduled for Barrett-Jackson include a 2008 Ford Mustang GT (Lot #62; International Children's Heart Foundation) and a 1961 GMC Carryall (Lot #701; Boy Scouts of America).