THE LIFE AQUATIC ON THE AUCTION BLOCK: A 50 Facts & Favorite Memories Feature
November 30, 2021
Posted by Barrett-Jackson
1978 Tupolev N007 Gullwing Boat sold at our 2015 Scottsdale for $220,000.00
To mark Barrett-Jackson’s half-century in business, in this special series we’re taking a look back at some of our favorite moments from the past 50 years – as well as some little-known facts about The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions.
1965 Amphicar 770 Convertible sold at our 2021 Scottsdale Auction
Over the past 50 years The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions has seen its fair share of naval vessels cross the block. From offshore racing powerboats and stars of “Miami Vice” to vintage Chris-Craft Runabouts and a Bennington pontoon boat raising $100,000 for charity, the Barrett-Jackson block is no stranger to the nautical world. After all, the land-based motoring world and life aquatic share more than a few “surf-and-turf” crossovers (looking at you, Amphicar).
With styling cues reminiscent of Jet-Age Americana, the Amphicar 770 is one of the most ingenious vessels in automotive history. The name, a playful contraction of amphibious and car, perfectly describes the Amphicar’s charming contribution to transportation history. What’s more, the 770 continues to be a hot commodity among collectors, with several examples selling north of six figures – the most recent, a 1965 model, selling for $105,000 at the 2021 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction.
2015 MTI Racing Boat sold at our Scottsdale 2018 for $548,900
If whimsical and quirky are not to your tastes and a more “supervillain presence” is what you’re after, then allow us to present the 2,700-horsepower 2015 MTI Racing Boat, which sold at the 2018 Scottsdale Auction for $548,900. The sinister-looking craft is powered by two 1,350-horsepower QC4V Mercury Racing engines and can reach top speeds in excess of 180 mph. Add to that its bevvy of features – including a FLIR thermal camera and 40,000-watt stereo – and this watercraft is more than worthy of any arch-nemesis. But it’s not alone. Preordained to be the villain’s ride of choice in an Ian Fleming novel (N007 is even written on the side) is the 1978 Tupolev Gullwing boat. Selling for an incredible $220,000 at the 2015 Scottsdale Auction, the Tupolev was designed to cross the frigid Siberian tundra and pickup Russian cosmonauts upon completion of their space flights.
By land or by sea, you never know what’s going to sail across the block at The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions. It’s all part of the Barrett-Jackson experience.
2006 MARINE TECHNOLOGY INC 39RP BOAT – Scottsdale 2014 – $283,800.00
2018 BENNINGTON 23SSBXP PONTOON BOAT – Scottsdale 2018 – $100,000