THE SCOTT THOMAS COLLECTION: An over-the-top offering of rare supercars, sports and muscle

December 10, 2019
Posted by Barrett-Jackson

Written by independent automotive journalist David Neyens

Leading the procession of remarkable vehicles from the Scott Thomas Collection across the block at the 2020 Scottsdale Auction is this 2019 McLaren Senna (Lot #1393). All the vehicles from the collection will be selling with No Reserve.

Just like so many other car-crazy kids growing up during the 1970s and ’80s, Scott Thomas dreamed of the high-performance cars of the era and resolved to own one of those stunning poster cars one day. Eventually gaining success in the financial services industry, Thomas would answer his entrepreneurial calling and begin converting his interest in collectible coins – shared with his grandparents – into his own business venture. By 1999, he founded his own precious metals exchange and, through the next two decades, built the world’s largest online marketplace for collectible coins and precious metals.

Using his keen eye for tangible assets in combination with his lifelong automotive passion, he eventually amassed a personal collection encompassing a wide range of automotive types, including prewar classics through ’50s American cruisers, ’60s muscle cars, Resto-Mods and, most recently, exotic supercars. However, in stark contrast to many other collectors today, Thomas insists on enjoying his collector cars as much as his demanding business schedule permits. Barrett-Jackson is honored to offer select examples from The Scott Thomas Collection at the upcoming 2020 Scottsdale Auction. Each vehicle is offered with No Reserve.

LOT #1393 ‒ 2019 MCLAREN SENNA

Beginning with the newest car in the collection, this 2019 McLaren Senna projects a sinister presence in Fire Black – the very paint color McLaren legend Ron Dennis chooses for his cars. Honoring Ayrton Senna, McLaren’s legendary three-time F1 World Champion driver, this track-focused, street-legal hypercar delivers monstrous performance, otherworldly presence and race-derived specifications. Powered by a mid-mounted, twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine delivering 789 horsepower and 590 ft/lbs of torque to the rear wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, its power is maximized by active front and rear aerodynamic aids, a massive rear spoiler and competition-type brakes. Capable of sprinting from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.8 seconds, the quarter-mile in 9.9 seconds and a 211 mph top speed, this Senna is one of only 500 examples manufactured in all.

With only one owner, it remains in virtually new condition. Original features and options of this bespoke Senna include red vinyl accent graphics, upper and lower Gorilla Glass windows by Corning, a glass upper rear bulkhead and black-painted brake calipers with silver McLaren logos. Inside are super lightweight touring-size racing seats plus MSO (McLaren Special Operations) defined 6-point harnesses in red for both driver and passenger, along with Carbon Black Alcantara upholstery with visually striking red perforations. Air conditioning ensures comfortable drives, and an audiophile-quality Bowers & Wilkins 7-speaker audio system provides entertainment in addition to the Senna’s vicious exhaust note. Other choice features include a McLaren factory-installed three-camera track telemetry package, Bluetooth, navigation, voice control and smartphone integration, and even side and rear parking cameras. Dark Stealth wheels mounting Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R ultra-performance tires provide road contact. Best described by Scott Thomas: “This is a beast of a machine and I cannot understand how they can make something so fast street legal. It is a monster of a car, so fast and quick with incredible stopping power.”

LOT #1396 ‒ 2005 FORD GT VIN 003

A very special example, this 2005 Ford GT is Serial Number 003 – the very first Ford GT made available to the public for purchase. Following the GT40 concept car shown during 2002 in celebration of Ford Motor Company’s historic centennial, the Ford GT of 2004-06 was inspired by the GT40s that defeated Ferrari at Le Mans and featured the finest high-tech engineering and modern materials delivering even greater performance. Documented in the definitive reference book “Ford GT 2005-2006: The Complete Owners Experience” published by the SVT Owners Association, this GT is the third car completed by VIN (suffix 00003) and the first sold to the public. Coming off the line on June 29, 2004, it was equipped with three of the four factory-available options, including BBS lightweight forged aluminum wheels, painted brake calipers and audiophile-quality McIntosh stereo system. Only the painted upper racing stripes were omitted, lending an exceptionally clean overall look to this true modern supercar.

First owned by a Ford Motor Company executive, this 2005 Ford GT was formerly part of the renowned collection of Ron Pratte prior to joining Scott Thomas’ collection in 2015. Thomas says, “I bought this car because I wanted one with provenance, including prior ownership by Ron Pratte, who has owned some of the finest American muscle cars, in addition to this example’s irreplaceable status as the third car of the series produced and the first ever sold to the public.” As such, this Ford GT provides a truly rare opportunity for determined collectors to share in its uncommonly rich history.

LOT #1397 ‒ 2003 SALEEN S7

Given his penchant for stunning dream cars, Thomas’ almost otherworldly 2003 Saleen S7 certainly fits the bill with its menacing presence, rarity and incredible performance envelope. Publicly introduced at the August 2000 edition of the Monterey Historic Races at Laguna Seca Raceway, the S7 represented the culmination of Steve Saleen’s racing expertise with cutting-edge design, materials and construction. On the track, the S7 stands as the winningest supercar-based racing vehicle of all time, chalking up an amazing competition record over 235 starts with 118 Poles, 154 Podiums, 78 Wins and 10 GT Championships – including class victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This 2003 Saleen S7 is numbered 03-21, denoting the 21st S7 built in 2003. As one of just 78 of these cars built in total, including 15 track-bound “R” Models, 03-21 is rarer still as one of four naturally aspirated, 550-horsepower cars equipped with the Saleen Competition Package. Priced at an additional $75,000 over the heady S7 MSRP, the package endowed the Saleen-specific 427ci V8 engine with an uprated camshaft, upgraded intake manifold and exhaust, and reprogrammed ECU module.

Following purchase by Thomas in 2016, the S7 was sent to Saleen’s factory workshops and thoroughly reviewed, with the only recommendations being a complete fluid flush and clutch replacement, both of which were duly completed by Saleen. Additionally, larger and more comfortable custom seats were fitted, along with a set of 6-point harnesses to accommodate Thomas’ tall frame. Original seats and belts were retained, should the new owner of the S7 wish to reinstall them. Capable of hitting 224-plus mph flat-out, this S7 also carries Steve Saleen’s autograph. In Thomas’ words, this Competition Package-equipped 2003 Saleen S7 is “…a very fast car that is fun to drive and never fails to draw admiring looks everywhere it goes.” Simply stunning, this rare and potent performer exemplifies Saleen’s race-proven “supercar” concept on every possible level and, coming from the outstanding care of The Scott Thomas Collection, it ranks among the absolute finest of its rare breed.

LOT #1394 ‒ 2015 MCLAREN 650S LE MANS EDITION

Marking the 20th anniversary of its electrifying 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans win, McLaren Special Operations (MSO) released a limited 50-car 650S Le Mans Edition in 2015. Of them, 46 were finished in Sarthe Grey, two in yellow, one in white and this car, the only one in McLaren Orange. Additional F1 GTR-inspired enhancements include the snorkel-type roof intake, vented front fenders, F1 GTR-style wheels, Le Mans Edition badging, two-tone seating surfaces, Le Mans-branded floor mats and the Interior Pack, adding carbon-fiber inserts to the center stack and door panels. Other special features include an Active Rear Aero Spoiler, orange brake calipers and high-gloss carbon side-air Intakes. Priced new with a $362,040 MSRP, it produces 640 horsepower and 500 ft/lbs of torque, yielding staggering performance, including 0-60 acceleration in 2.9 seconds, the quarter-mile in 10.5 seconds and 207 mph flat-out. With its strictly limited 50-car production run, the McLaren 650S Le Mans Edition is already extremely rare at auction. As the only example factory-finished in retina-searing McLaren Orange, this bespoke “racecar with a license plate,” as Scott Thomas characterizes it, will certainly mark a true occasion when it crosses the auction block in Scottsdale.

LOT #1395 ‒ 2016 MCLAREN 650S SPRINT RACE CAR

For committed enthusiasts like Scott, McLaren’s long-awaited V8 models proved irresistible, prompting him to not only own them, but also to join McLaren’s elite Garage 59 program to race them. Chassis 11, a Tarocco Orange 2016 McLaren 650S Sprint, was driven by Thomas with professional racers Bradley Ellis and Matthew Bell during the 2016 and 2017 GT Cup Championship rounds in England, scoring a most creditable tally of five podium finishes with the McLaren in nine race outings. Debuted at the 2014 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the McLaren 650S Sprint is a dual-purpose, track-day car or race-ready competitor under SCCA, NASA and other sanctioning bodies in the USA, UK and Europe. Featuring aerodynamic enhancements, lowered suspension with adaptive springs and proper safety equipment, the 3.8-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 of the 650S Sprint develops 641 horsepower and amazing performance. Appropriately wrapped in gold and silver livery over the underlying factory-applied paint finish, it is a full-specification racing car with a chassis lift system for quick pit stops, competition quick-fill fuel system and single sprocket-type quick-change wheels.

LOT #1007 ‒ 1992 DODGE VIPER RT/10

Lest one think Thomas’ automotive tastes are based mainly on performance or market trends, this exceptionally well-preserved 1992 Dodge Viper RT/10 Roadster represents quite the opposite. One of the 236 hand-assembled Vipers from the inaugural model year, this virtual “time-capsule” Viper is in fact a poignant reminder of a formative trip Thomas took with his mom as a 16-year-old to the New York Auto Show, where they saw a concept Viper on display for the first time. Years later, when he was able to purchase this 1992 Viper, it has marked that special day he shared with his late mom in New York. From a collector’s standpoint, the 1992 Viper RT/10 is rarer than the first 300-car batch of Corvettes produced for 1953 – just one of the many reasons supporting the status of the 1992 Dodge Viper RT/10 as a true up-and-coming collectible American sports car. Add in its purposeful, all-out character and fascinating development history – including auto-industry icons Bob Lutz, Tom Gale and Carroll Shelby, plus the proper care of Scott Thomas – and you have one of the best available.

LOT #1398 ‒ 2013 SRT VIPER GTS VIN 001

Continuing his affinity for the Viper, first expressed with the previous first-year example, Thomas acquired the very first 2013 “Launch Edition” of the reborn Viper produced by Chrysler’s SRT (Street & Racing Technology) division after the model’s 2011-12 production hiatus. Carrying the “001” VIN suffix, this awesome 2013 SRT Viper GTS was the first car built by the men and women at Chrysler’s Conner Avenue assembly plant in Detroit. In fact, Thomas was present to witness his Stryker Red Viper’s assembly process. There, he was also able to meet with the designers and engineers of the reborn “Gen V” Viper, including design team leader, Ralph Gilles. Packing 640 horsepower with a 6-speed manual transmission, this historic GEN V Viper comes with the original SRT Viper Media Kit, including photographs taken on the day of delivery with all the factory workers posing behind the car, the original manufacturers brochures and other memorabilia, including pictures of Sergio Marchionne personally handing the car over to Scott Thomas.

LOT #1007.1 ‒ 1967 CHEVROLET CHEVELLE SS CUSTOM COUPE

Coming full circle, this preview of spectacular machines concludes with one of Thomas’ all-time favorite rides, a stunning Pro Touring-style ’67 Chevrolet Chevelle SS Resto-Mod. A full rotisserie restoration and custom build by Hills Hot Rods in Lubbock, Texas, this Chevelle embodies Thomas’ deep appreciation for quality, from its body and paintwork to the full custom interior, 430-horsepower LS3 V8 engine, adjustable air-ride suspension and passenger amenities. Built to appreciate, yet enjoy, Thomas describes it as a “…super-reliable car that starts every time I get in, that never fails to draw looks and compliments everywhere I go. It’s a reliable, great-driving modern Resto-Mod.” What more could you possibly ask for?

The gathering of amazing performers from The Scott Thomas Collection at the upcoming 2020 Scottsdale event will truly be a sight to behold. Be sure to join the bidding and excitement at the 49th Annual Scottsdale Auction, taking place January 11-19, 2020, at WestWorld of Scottsdale.

For up-to-date information on these vehicles, click HERE. For a look at all the vehicles on the 2020 Scottsdale Auction docket, click HERE.