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February 18, 2021

Posted By : Barrett-Jackson

Written By : independent automotive journalist Steve Statham

SEVENTEEN FOR THE WIN: Feast of Fast – More of the Select Offering From a Private Collection Crossing the Block at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale

February 18, 2021
Posted by Barrett-Jackson

Written by independent automotive journalist Steve Statham

The 1955 Ford Thunderbird Convertible VIN 005 (Lot #1355.1) offered as part of this collection has been verified by Ford Motor Company as the first retail production Thunderbird built.

The best collectors just have an eye for quality. In the car collecting world, there may be a theme involved as well, but the museum-quality collections all share characteristics of rarity, originality and historical significance that only a practiced eye can assemble.

That’s the case with an extraordinary private collection that is being offered at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale in March, with this entire group of cars available with No Reserve. These, along with the famous Shelby Cobra Super Snake also in the private collection, are loosely tied together by the theme of high performance, but the cars represent performance of all different types ‒ pure torquey Detroit muscle, high-revving European “brio,” aggressive styling and the individuality that only a custom Resto-Mod can deliver.

[ Lot #1355.1 - 1955 FORD THUNDERBIRD CONVERTIBLE VIN 005 ](Lot 1355.1 - 1955 FORD THUNDERBIRD CONVERTIBLE VIN 005%5Frear34)

[Lot #1355.1](http://Lot 1355.1 - 1955 FORD THUNDERBIRD CONVERTIBLE VIN 005%5Frear34) – 1955 FORD THUNDERBIRD CONVERTIBLE VIN 005

For historical significance and timeless performance styling, it would be hard to top the 1955 Ford Thunderbird Convertible VIN 005 ([Lot #1355.1](http://Lot 1355.1 - 1955 FORD THUNDERBIRD CONVERTIBLE VIN 005%5Frear34)) offered as part of this collection. It has been verified by Ford Motor Company as the first retail production Thunderbird built, and has a long and storied history. When new, the car was a test vehicle for a Sports Illustrated magazine road test, among other promotional duties.

Its significance was uncovered in 1965 when a new owner reached out to Ford about the low-VIN Thunderbird he’d purchased. Once verified that he’d found the first retail T-Bird built, he then meticulously restored it and documented the process. It has since made special appearances at museums and car shows, and was displayed at the 1984 U.S. Olympics as well as Ford headquarters in Dearborn. The T-Bird has been pictured with celebrities of all sorts over the years. The Raven Black Thunderbird is equipped with the 292 Y-block V8 and Ford-O-Matic transmission. It has power steering, power windows and power seats and is a beautiful piece of American automotive history.

Lot #1355 – 1969 CHEVROLET CHEVELLE YENKO 427

A mere decade and a half after the Thunderbird made its debut, the performance expectations of the buying public had risen dramatically. Arguably the height of the muscle car era is represented by the 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle Yenko 427 (Lot #1355) being offered from the private collection. Yenko Chevrolet in Pennsylvania was a performance-minded dealership that offered modified and branded versions of popular Chevrolets, with a little help from the General Motors “COPO” pipeline, which allowed dealers to order cars with options outside the regular production catalog.

This Chevelle was ordered with COPO 9562, which included the L72 427/425hp big-block V8, among other racing-oriented parts. It also was equipped with the COPO 9737 Sports Car Conversion, with larger-diameter front stabilizer bar and rear sway bar and 15×7 Yenko Atlas Cast Rally wheels with F70 raised-white-letter tires.

Besides the obvious performance, Yenko Chevys are prized today for their rarity. Only 99 1969 Yenko Chevelles were built, and this is one of only 22 known survivors. Only seven of those 99 were painted Fathom Green, and a mere 13 teamed the 427 with an automatic transmission. This is the only one known to have the column shift.

Lot #1352 – 1969 CHEVROLET CAMARO CUSTOM COUPE

Of all the cars from the original muscle car era, the 1969 Camaro in particular has maintained an enduring popularity, making it an absolute natural to receive the Resto-Mod treatment. The 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Custom Coupe (Lot #1352) offered from the collection melds the best of old and new, creating a car that’s just as much at home among classics as it is in the thick of today’s street scene. The custom front and rear spoilers and custom Carriage Works grille, along with the specially mixed House of Kolor Orange and LT Autumnwood paint, only enhance the Camaro’s classic lines.

The performance upgrades take full advantage of modern technology. Under the hood is a 7.0-liter GM LS7 V8 topped by a Magna supercharger. The engine has been fortified with a dry oil sump with 9-quart tank, Kooks headers, 3-inch exhaust with electric cutout, and a Rad 4-core aluminum radiator with aluminum core support and two 12-inch electric fans.

Backing the engine is a TREMEC 5-speed manual transmission, while the rear end is a Moser custom 12-bolt with 3.73 gears. Chassis and suspension have been likewise upgraded, with a Chassisworks front subframe, Detroit Speed Engineering rear suspension that includes 4-link and coilover shocks, and 13-inch Wilwood disc brakes with a Hydratech braking system. The thought and care that went into this car is evident everywhere, as the detailing on the custom interior shows. This incredible custom has had only test miles put on it since the restoration.

Lot #1352.1 – 1970 CHEVROLET CHEVELLE MALIBU CONVERTIBLE

Building a vintage car with contemporary parts will never be boring, but what if you could go back in time and order your dream muscle car? You might very well end up with a car like the 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu Convertible (Lot #1352.1) offered from the collection. This Cranberry Red Chevelle with a white top and Ivory interior features 44 factory options. It has undergone a complete frame-off restoration and has been upgraded to LS6 specifications. The 454/450hp big-block is paired with a TH400 automatic and a 4.10 posi-traction performance ratio rear axle.

Lot #1354.1 – 2010 FERRARI 599 GTB FIORANO HGTE

Performance, of course, is defined in a number of different ways. Carving up winding roads with the unforgettable song of a high-revving V12 in your ear has long been Ferrari’s specialty. The Grigio Silverstone 2010 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano HGTE (Lot #1354.1) from the collection incorporates all the features that have kept Ferrari at the forefront of enthusiast’s dreams for decades. The car’s 6.0-liter V12 is rated at 612 horsepower at 7,600 rpm, and 448 ft/lbs of torque. Next-level performance is easily at hand thanks to the Handling Gran Turismo Evoluzione (HGTE) package, which lowers the ride height, includes stiffer springs and a thicker rear anti-roll bar, carbon-ceramic brakes and special 5-spoke, 20-inch wheels, new tuning calibrations for the Delphi MagneRide magneto-rheological shocks and faster calibration for the 599’s 6-speed F1 “SuperFast” automated manual transmission. Despite the obvious temptation, this Ferrari has only been driven 3,748 actual miles since new.

Lot #1354 – 2012 FERRARI 458 ITALIA

The Ferrari experience offers many different ways to enjoy recreational driving, as the 2012 Ferrari 458 Italia (Lot #1354) from the collection shows. This gorgeous Ferrari Red modern classic is powered by a mid-engine 4.5-liter V8 rated at 562 horsepower at an eye-popping 9,000 rpm. With Getrag 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, carbon-ceramic brakes and 20-inch wheels with Pirelli P Zero tires, the car is as comfortable on the track as it is on a favorite back road. The Scottsdale Auction presents a rare opportunity to bid for a legitimate 200-mph Ferrari with only 3,721 actual miles.

Lot #1353.1 – 2007 PORSCHE 911 GT3 RS

Just about any serious car collection would have at least one Porsche in it, and the 2007 Porsche 911 GT3 RS (Lot #1353.1) being offered here is striking enough that it could be the centerpiece. The 997.1 GT3 RS was built for homologation in a number of racing series, and thus comes with a number of weight-saving components, such as a carbon-fiber wing, as well as wide rear bodywork. It is powered by a 3.6-liter Flat-6 engine, which sends 415 horsepower through a 6-speed manual transmission.

A black Porsche with vibrant orange highlights will capture anyone’s attention, but true Porsche fans know the 997.1 was the first GT3 RS to be offered new in the U.S. market, and only 410 of these were sold in the U.S. With only 3,828 actual miles, it’s as close to a new one as will likely be found for some time to come.

Lot #1353 – 1965 SHELBY COBRA CSX 4000 ROADSTER

Whether in the U.S., Europe, Asia or Australia, great automotive ideas never really fade away, which is what led to Carroll Shelby reviving his famous Cobra in the CSX 4000 Continuation Series. The Guardsman Blue 1965 Shelby Cobra CSX 4000 Roadster (Lot #1353) offered from the collection is one of the early ones from the 4000 series, the 21st Cobra sold to the public. The rolling chassis was completed at Shelby American Las Vegas on April 23, 1997.

Providing the legendary performance Cobras are known for is a professionally built 428ci SCJ V8 engine with resized Le Mans rods, aluminum Cobra Jet heads by Bliss, and a Blue Thunder aluminum intake with correct Holley 780 carburetor. It is backed by a Toploader 4-speed manual transmission with a 3.54 Dana rear end.

This Cobra, CSX 4031, has a fiberglass body with aluminum dress-up kit, including fender wells and trunk. It comes with all documentation and receipts, including the original copy of the MSO signed by Carroll Shelby. It is listed in the new Cobra Registry and the dash is signed by Peter Brock and Allen Grant. It was featured in two Xbox 360 games, Project Gotham Racing 4 and Forza Motorsports 3. Those games are available for anyone to play, but only one lucky bidder will get to drive the real thing once the hammer falls in Scottsdale.

An additional eight vehicles also offered from this private collection include some serious muscle, from a custom Nissan GT-R with heart-pounding twin turbos to a 1968 Corvette COPO convertible. Visit the docket pages on Barrett-Jackson.com for all the details on each, and get a quick look at them all in the gallery below.