11 vehicles from Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas worth watching

Fri, 26 Sep 2014

This weekend will see the world's collector car crowds descend on Las Vegas, NV for one of the biggest shows on Barrett-Jackson's popular auction circuit. There are hundreds of vehicles up for bidding, ranging from a brand-new Lamborghini Aventador to a spattering of Art Deco classics and a huge swath of classic muscle cars.

While it's virtually impossible to assemble an inarguable list of the best cars coming during the three-day, 700-plus vehicle auction, we've sifted through the listings for this year's show – it was a tough assignment, we promise – and assembled a list of what we think will be some of the most interesting lots. We'll admit, it's a bit heavy on American iron, but if you browse BJ's listings, you'll come to a similar conclusion. Still, scroll down for our list of what we think will be the most interesting vehicles at the upcoming auction.

1936 Auburn Boattail Speedster Custom Recreation

Let's ignore the fact that this is a recreation. Let's also ignore the perhaps more damning fact that it's currently owned by CeeLo Green. This is a beautifully crafted impersonation of Auburn's stunning Boattail Speedster, complete with a supercharged, 5.3-liter V8 and an all-steel construction. While it's finished in a matte black, that's just a skin. The actual color under that wrap job is cream white, according to Barrett-Jackson. The cabin, meanwhile, is not for shrinking violets. This beauty is Lot 460, will cross the block on Friday and is being sold with reserve.

1957 Studebaker Golden Hawk

Aside from the fact that "Golden Hawk" is an outstanding name for a vehicle, this 1957 Studebaker's finish matches that title, featuring Tiara Gold paint with Arctic White accents along its flanks. Under hood sits a 289-cubic-inch, 275-horsepower V8 that was fitted with a McCulloch supercharger straight from its Utica, MI factory. It's Lot 652 and will be sold on Saturday.

1964 Renault Dauphine Sedan

There's plenty of regal stuff up for biding at Barrett-Jackson, but we figured we'd at least address one of the funkier vehicles. This is a 1964 Renault Dauphine and it arrives complete with Gordini rally livery and gorgeous vented, powder-coated wheels. In back sits a rear-mounted engine, which is mated up to a four-speed manual transmission. According to the auction description, it's ready for vintage rallies, which we have no problem imagining. Look for this one to move on Friday, as Lot 521.

1991 Chevrolet Camaro RS Convertible

If the Renault was funky, this is just plain bizarre. This is a 1991 Chevrolet Camaro RS Convertible that's been heavily inspired by Star Trek: The Next Generation. There's almost too much to describe on this car, but we'll try. There's a cast mural on the underside of the hood, Corvette-like taillights, nitrous oxide system (you must shout "Engage," and point ahead when using it) and a computer system that would make Michael Knight jealous. It is spectacular, and will be sold on Saturday as Lot 616.

1967 Cadillac Coupe De Ville

This is the 1967 Cadillac Coupe De Ville that one Elvis Presley used to drive him and his wife, Priscilla, following their 1967 wedding. As if that weren't a strong enough provenance, this car has been maintained in the Elvis Presley Museum since 1979. It also includes all manner of paperwork identifying The King as its owner and Graceland as its address. Expect it to cross the block on Saturday, as Lot 767, and for it to cost more than Las Vegas' ubiquitous Elvis impersonators can afford.

1957 Mercedes-Benz 190SL

There are a few Mercedes-Benz 190SL convertibles up for auction this weekend, but this beautiful Hellblau Blue example is, by a fair margin, the nicest. A red leather interior and a black canvas roof complement this SL's original paint shade. It's spent 50 of its 57 years with its original owner, and has since been restored since its new owner took possession of it in 2007. It's being sold, with reserve, as Lot 777 on Saturday.

1937 Cord 812 Phaeton

A quick favorite among the Autoblog staff is this 1937 Cord 812 Phaeton, one of the single most striking examples of the Art Deco-era of automotive design. This example has been fully restored and is finished in Cigarette Cream with a black canvas roof. The interior is lined in burgundy leather, and has a beautifully finished dash. This one is being sold, with reserve, on Saturday as Lot 784.

1959 Cadillac Eldorado Seville

Country music fans get a double dose of automotive awesome as, alongside Elvis Presley's Cadillac, another musical icon's classic is crossing the block. This is Hank Williams Jr.'s 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Seville and is one of the best examples of Cadillac's finned styling. This particular car retailed for a then-staggering $7,401 when it was first sold ($60,492 today) and features a few gloriously 1950s technologies, such as GM's Autronic-Eye automatic headlight dimmers and E-Z Eye glass. This car is Lot 808 and is selling on Saturday.

1991 GMC Syclone Marlboro Edition

GMC's wild Syclone pickup is one of the finest examples of the sport truck trend that's come and gone over the years. This particular vehicle was never actually available to the public, as it's one of just ten Marlboro Special Editions, which were handed out as part of the tobacco company's sweepstakes drawings. These trucks sport design elements by Larry Shinoda, and are unique in that they have a removable roof, Boyd Coddington wheels, Recaro seats and a Borla exhaust among other features unique to the Marlboro Editions. Unfortunately, considering the contest it was won through, we very much doubt this is a non-smoker's truck. It's Lot 829 and is being sold on Saturday.

1970 Dodge Challenger R/T Hemi

Everyone seems to have their own idea of what a pure muscle car from the style's heyday is. We submit this, as the most proper example of the breed. This is a 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T, finished in the iconic Plum Crazy Purple. As if that weren't enough, its wise first owner ticked the box for Mopar's legendary 426-cubic-inch V8 and a shaker hood option. This is one of just 287 Hemi Challengers from 1970 and will be sold as Lot 796 on Saturday.

2015 Ford Mustang 50th Anniversary Edition #1,964

We're going modern for our last entry, with a 2015 Ford Mustang 50th Anniversary Edition. This car will be a charity special, with its buyer receiving the last example of Ford's limited anniversary trim, Number 1,964. All proceeds from the auction go towards the Get Your Heart Racing Foundation, which is a benefit of Detroit's Henry Ford Heart and Vascular Institute. It will be sold Saturday as Lot 3,003.

By Brandon Turkus