BIDDING WITH HEART: A charitable trio of cars in Las Vegas

September 30, 2019
Posted by Barrett-Jackson

Known as “AV8R,” this incredible custom Mustang (Lot #3000) will be among the cars crossing the Las Vegas Auction block with No Reserve for charity, with 100% of this sale benefitting Reach Out Worldwide.

Since its inception, an important element of Barrett-Jackson has always been to help worthy causes in its host communities and beyond. To date, more than $118 million has been raised for charities large and small, local and national, through the auction of some very special vehicles on the Barrett-Jackson block. And because Barrett-Jackson waives all fees on these important sales, 100 percent of the hammer price of each vehicle goes directly to the charity designated by the vehicle’s donor.

These charity moments are always among the highlights of every auction, with emotion, excitement and bidding running high. Three unique vehicles will be among the “cars with a cause” at the 2019 Las Vegas event.

The AV8R’s performance is fueled by a 4.6-liter 24-valve V8 supercharged engine capable of generating 400hp.

Crossing the auction block with No Reserve to benefit Reach Out Worldwide (ROWW), founded by the late actor Paul Walker in response to the massive earthquake that struck Haiti in 2010, is an aviation-themed 2009 Ford Mustang custom coupe known as “AV8R” (shown above, Lot #3000), originally created by Ford for the Gathering of Eagles charity auction, part of Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture Oshkosh 2008, the world’s largest annual aviation event. The one-of-a-kind Mustang was created by a team that included Mustang Design Chief Doug Gaffka and Mustang Chief Nameplate Engineer Paul Randle, with performance support from Ford Racing. The AV8R’s performance is fueled by a 4.6-liter 24-valve V8 supercharged engine capable of generating 400hp; features also include a Ford Racing Handling Pack and a Ford Racing tuned exhaust.

The Mustang AV8R features autographs from aviation legends and celebrities who attended EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2008, including Harrison Ford, Edsel B. Ford II, Jack Roush, Carroll Shelby and others.

The AV8R features include a unique satin-finish aviation-inspired paint with a black glass treatment, a glass roof canopy with unique Star-in-Circle insignia laminate glass, unique graphic treatment, special front and rear fascias, a Mustang Bullitt grille and prototype aluminum appliques. The interior is also aviation-inspired and includes distressed “bomber jacket” leather inserts and trim panels. The Mustang AV8R features autographs from aviation legends and celebrities who attended EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2008, including Harrison Ford, Edsel B. Ford II, Jack Roush, Carroll Shelby and others.

Coming to the auction block with No Reserve to benefit United Way for Southeastern Michigan is the No. 2 Miller Genuine Draft Ford Fusion 2018 NASCAR Cup Series race car (Lot #3001) driven by Brad Keselowski.

NASCAR fans, take note of this one! Headed to the Las Vegas auction block with legendary racer and businessman Roger Penske is the No. 2 Miller Genuine Draft Ford Fusion 2018 NASCAR Cup Series race car (Lot #3001), fielded by legendary motorsports organization Team Penske and driven by champion driver Brad Keselowski. Selling with No Reserve, the car was custom-built by Team Penske employees at their facility in Mooresville, NC. Keselowski drove the car to victory in the annual Southern 500 in September 2018 at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, SC. The victory was the first for Keselowski in 10 races at Darlington and the first victory by Team Penske at the historic speedway since Bobby Allison swept both races in 1975. The 2018 season marked the 28th year MillerCoors has sponsored the No. 2 Team Penske NASCAR Cup Car, one of the most successful partnerships in NASCAR history.

Legendary racer and businessman Roger Penske will be coming to the block with this Team Penske race car.

The car’s Miller Genuine Draft throwback paint scheme was a tribute to the 1990 design driven by Rusty Wallace and features rectangular steel tubing with an integral roll cage, fabricated in-house at Team Penske and certified by NASCAR, along with a fabricated sheet-metal body that includes a carbon-fiber hood and decklid. The cast-iron 358ci V8 engine with aluminum cylinder heads was built by Roush Yates Engines and kicks out more than 850 horsepower, put through its paces by a 4-speed manual transmission. The race car rides on 15-inch Aero machined steel wheels wrapped in Goodyear Eagle racing slicks. The sale will benefit United Way for Southeastern Michigan.

Built specifically for media drives, show appearances and product development, the entire hammer price of this VIN 044 2005 Ford GT (Lot #3002), selling with No Reserve, will go to JDRF.

Last but certainly not least is a very early 2006 Ford GT (Lot #3002) offered with No Reserve directly by Ford Motor Company. A key part of the development and launch of the wildly popular second-generation Ford GT, this car has a truly special history. The dazzling white with blue stripes Ford GT was the pace car for a new generation and for an entire company. Built specifically for media drives, show appearances and product development, the supercar has been owned by Ford Motor Company since it was built. It was heavily photographed and documented as part of the launch of the 2005 Ford GT at events, including the Monterey Historic Races, Mid America Shelby and Ford Meet, media drives, executive events and Carlisle All Ford Nationals. Ford Racing used it to develop components that helped privateers competitively race the Ford GT, including the 700+hp supercharger upgrade that is still on the vehicle.

Ford Racing used this 2005 Ford GT to develop components that helped privateers competitively race the Ford GT, including the 700+hp supercharger upgrade that is still on the vehicle.

The car was piloted by many famous drivers, including Trans Am star Tommy Kendall and Andy Slankard of Ford Racing and SVT. In 2009, during the Kohler International Challenge at Road America, it led the factory team of Shelby Cobras, which was fielded for the first time in over 40 years. Boasting the low VIN 044 and only 23,709 miles, the GT is powered by its original 5.4-liter V8 engine mated to a 6-speed manual transmission, and its options include power steering, power brakes and air conditioning. The entire sale price will benefit JDRF.

With these three amazing vehicles destined to help others and raise awareness when they cross the Las Vegas block, be sure to be in the auction arena or tune in to the live stream on Barrett-Jackson.com to witness the generosity of Barrett-Jackson’s bidders, consignors and guests.

For up-to-date information on these charity vehicles, click HERE. For a look at the entire 2019 Las Vegas Auction docket, click HERE.