One memorable highlight of Barrett-Jackson’s Reno Tahoe auction was the crowning of the 2015 Barrett-Jackson Cup Ultimate Best of Show winner, the culmination of a fierce competition among some of America’s best custom car builders vying for a piece of the $100,000-plus prize package. After expert judges Bobby Alloway, Pete Chapouris and Bob Millard scrutinized the entrants over a three-day judging period, the field was narrowed to 25. At the end of the auction on Saturday evening, the final “Reno Five” were revealed onstage and the winner was announced in front of millions of viewers on live television on Velocity. Here are the final results:
ULTIMATE BEST OF SHOW WINNER
Owners: Randy and Lisa Wilcox
Builder: CAL Automotive Creations/Andy Leach
Car Description: 1962 Chevy Impala Bubbletop
Details:
- Bob Thrash design
- Charley Hutton paint, Recovery Room interior
- LS9, Bowler T56 6-speed transmission
- Art Morrison chassis, Billet Specialties one-off wheels
- Machined side trim, taillights and window moldings
- Tucked bumpers; subtle wing added to decklid and quarters
- Front fenders extended down; headlight bezels and grille reshaped to fit car
Ultimate Best of Show Winner package: $30,000 cash, Barrett-Jackson Cup Trophy, GM Crate Engine and Transmission ($15,000 value), Craftsman Tools ($6,000 value), Reliable Carriers Credit ($5,000 value), Barrett-Jackson Car Care Products ($1,000 value), GoPro Camera ($399 value), Optima Battery certificate ($225 value), Red Kap Barrett-Jackson Cup Mechanics Shirt.
1ST RUNNER-UP
Owner: Gary Brown
Builder: Mike Goldman Customs
Car Description: 1957 Chevrolet Pickup
Details:
- ZL1 big block engine
- 5-speed transmission
- Roadster Shop chassis
- Independent rear suspension
- 1964 Corvette interior
1st Runner-Up package: $18,000 cash, Barrett-Jackson Car Care Products ($1,000 value), Dodge Driving School ($800 value), GoPro Camera ($399 value), Optima Battery certificate ($225 value), Red Kap Barrett-Jackson Mechanics Shirt.
2ND RUNNER-UP
Owner: Don and Elma Voth (Steve Mank – Handler)
Builder: Chip Foose
Car Description: 1965 Chevrolet Impala
Details:
- 2015 Ridler Award Winner at the Detroit Autorama
- Car has been shortened and cut to fit new Corvette frame and driveline
- Designed and built by Foose Design
2nd Runner-Up package: $10,000 cash, Barrett-Jackson Car Care Products ($1,000 value), GoPro Camera ($400 value), Optima Battery certificate ($225 value), Red Kap Barrett-Jackson Cup Mechanics Shirt.
3RD RUNNER-UP
Owner: Gil and Janet Losi
Builder: Steve Cook Creations
Car Description: 1956 Plymouth Belvedere
Details:
- Custom chassis; air-ride suspension
- 6.1 late-model HEMI with 6-pack fuel injection
- Baer disc brakes and one-off billet wheels
- Body has been wedge-cut, channeled over chassis
- Features 56 Chrysler 300 headlights with peaked fenders
- Shaved door handles, hood and trunk
- Custom rockers, underhood panels and belly pans
- “Skultured” leather interior with custom console and dash
3rd Runner-Up package: $7,000 cash, Barrett-Jackson Car Care Products ($1,000 value), GoPro Camera ($400 value), Optima Battery certificate ($225 value), Red Kap Barrett-Jackson Cup Mechanics Shirt.
4TH RUNNER-UP
Owner: Willie Maise
Builder: Big Oak Garage (Will Posey)
Car Description: 1965 Dodge Dart
Details:
- Wedge-cut roof, body shortened, wheelbase stretched
- Supercharged Gen III 392ci HEMI
- BASF paint, Schott wheels
- Wilwood brakes, Nissan GTR door handles
- Custom chassis by Big Oak Garage
- All-custom interior
- 110 body mods and 42 one-off machined pieces
- Color is “Green with Envy”
4th Runner-Up package: $5,000 cash, Barrett-Jackson Car Care Products ($1,000 value), GoPro Camera ($399 value), Optima Battery certificate ($225 value), Red Kap Barrett-Jackson Cup Mechanics Shirt.