Window Shopping with Nicole | Photos by Nicole Ellan James
Being a Scottsdale native, Barrett-Jackson has always been that one event each year that you just cant miss, at least if you are a car enthusiast. One of the things that I believe draws so many people to the auction is the diversity of the consigned cars. That diversity makes Barrett-Jackson a show.
You know those lists we all have in our heads of what cars we would buy as soon as we win the lottery, a good majority of them could be purchased at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale, making it nearly impossible to just pick six cars to take home this time around.
Nonetheless, here is my list of cars I would take home with me, if only I could:
| Optimus Prime and Bumblebee Because you really cant have one without the other at this point, the first cars I would take home with me are the Transformers vehicles, Optimus Prime and Bumblebee. Optimus Prime is a 1992 Peterbilt 379 stunt truck. It was created by a team of artists and illustrators who worked tirelessly, drawing potential trucks and cars, trying to zero in on just the right look for each vehicle. When the film's production designer showed director Michael Bay a photo of the enormous tractor trailer, the director was immediately taken by the lines and size of the truck. The more aggressive truck was also used as Bay's tip-of-the-hat to Steven Spielberg's 1971 film, "Duel." This vehicle is one of the tractors used, it was a picture and stunt vehicle and is being sold "As-Is" and "With all faults" and is subject to execution of a Paramount Waiver. Bumblebee is a 1967 resto-mod Chevrolet Camaaro SS used in the fourth installment of the film franchise and is being consigned by Bay. |  |
| 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle Custom Convertible Normally I go for really built cars or famous cars like the ones above, but every so often I just want a clean and simple muscle car. This Chevelle has had a frame-off rotisserie resoration and features an LS2 with a 6-speed and its painted in my favorite color, Torch Red. The car was shop built by Tommy's Rod Shop and has been rated at 450 horsepower. Other highlights include 3,90 gears, 3-inch exhaust by Stainless Works, and Wilwood 4-wheel disk brakes. The build was completed on July 1 of 2015 and went on to score a 998 out of a possible 1,000 at Eckler's 38th International in Oklahoma. |  |
| 1968 Shelby GT350 fastback Seen here is one of my dream cars to own, a classic 1968 Shelby GT350 fastback. What initially attracted me was the color, followed by how awesome the hood looks and the timeless lines of the fastback. This GT350 is one of only 1,053 fastbacks produced in 1968, according to its Marti report. It is one of 39 that were painted Candy Apple Red and the car features air conditioning in addition to an automatic transmission and an original interior with the exception of the radio and speakers. According to the seller, the car has been put away since 2004. The engine powering this beautiful car is a non-matching-numbers 302 with headers and performance mods. |  |
| 1955 Cadillac Eldorado convertible custom I picked this car just for the paint job. However, learning that it was built for hall-of-famer John d'Agostino by the Tompkins brothers didn't hurt either. This impressive paint job consists of mint and teal pearl blended PPG paints applied by Art Himsl. The interior is a combination of crocodile annd Swedish leather. The car has been a show winner at nearly every show its attended and has won the coveted Gene Winfield D'Elegance award, has been on a European tour and has had several magazine features on it. |  |
| 1928 Ford Model A Sport Coupe What I like about this car is that it still has the sweeping fenders, which I love, and still has a classy look and feel to it while being a practical car. I love pre-war vehicles, but most of the ones I like are super rare and ultra-expensive and I would be afraid to touch them, let alone drive them. This Ford Model A feels not only attainable but like it would be a good step into the pre-war segment. It has been fully restored and features Dutchess Blue paint with black fenders and a tan roof. |  |
| 1954 Chevrolet 3100 Pickup There is always going to be just something about a classic truck that makes it so cool. This truck was manufactured in Oakland, California, and is rare because it's a 5-window half-ton and Texaco branded. It's undergone a complete restoration, which included all new wood in the bed, and is powered by a straight-6 and manual transmission. |  |
