Editor’s note: The ClassicCars.com Journal will be covering all of the action during Arizona Auction Week in Scottsdale, Arizona. Check out our other coverage here.
Gooding auctions are most-often equated with exotic European sports cars and competition machines, but the Scottsdale sale coming in January also boasts a healthy dose of American muscle among its offerings.
A trio of desirable Shelby Cobras leads the pack, including an early production 1966 427 roadster, CSX3107, equipped with the original low-rise 427 engine with dual four-barrel Holley carburetors.
The Shelby just came out of a year-long, show-quality restoration by famed Cobra restorer Dave Wagner of Detroit, who finished the sports car in its original color combination of Red over black interior. Pre-auction estimated value is $1.1 million to $1.4 million.
The 1964 Shelby 289 Cobra, a desirable late-production rack-and-pinion-steering model, also benefited from a Wagner restoration. CSX2246 is presented in its original color combination of Princess Blue over red interior, and valued at $950,000 to $1.1 million.
Another Shelby 289 Cobra, this one from 1965, is one of only 30 independently prepared competition Cobras, successfully campaigned at numerous SCCA regional and national races throughout the 1960s. CSX2448, purchased by its current owner in 1976, is finished in Black with Weber carburetors, Halibrand wheels, side pipes, roll bar and other special equipment. Estimated value: $900,000 to $1.1 million.
Special Chevrolet Corvettes also will be auctioned, such as the rare and potent 1969 L88 convertible, one of the just 116 of the high-performance Vettes produced that model year.
“Extremely rare and brutally powerful, this pristine L88 is one of the most desirable Corvettes available,” according to a Gooding news release.
Restored in the late 2000s by a marque specialist, the Burgundy over black interior Corvette is valued at $500,000 to $600,000.
A 1961 Corvette “big tank” roadster with a fuel-injected 283cid V8 rated at 315 horsepower has period SCCA racing history and has received NCRA Top Flight honors and the Duntov Award. It is valued at $275,000 to $350,000.
Also on the docket is an early production 1966 Corvette 427/450 horsepower roadster with side pipes, removable hard top and knock-off wheels. Estimated value: $125,000 to $175,000.
A special Chevy muscle car that will roar over the block is a 1967 Camaro SS 396/375 horsepower convertible, an NHRA record holder known as the Bat Car. The rare RPO L78 has gone just 1,500 miles and is valued at $250,000 to $325,000.
Gooding holds its annual Arizona auction just north of Scottsdale Fashion Square in Old Town Scottsdale on January 18 and 19 during Arizona Auction Week. For more information, visit the auction website.
COBRA , my favorite car, still looking for that affordable replica!