While the muscle-car era came to an end in the country’s showrooms, it lives on at Barrett-Jackson, where stunning original examples of what were initially called “America’s supercar” continue to command attention on the auction block – as evidenced...
The roar of a powerful V8 engine, the aroma of burning rubber, the exhilaration of speed – American muscle cars unquestionably left an indelible mark on the auto industry and pop culture. Some automotive historians trace the genre’s origin back to when Oldsmobile decided to put a 303ci overhead-valve V8 into the 1949 Rocket 88, which kicked out a whopping 135 horsepower. Yep – that’s all it took to be king of the performance hill back then. The golden age of the muscle car, however, was the 1960s and early 1970s. Initially catering to the racing crowd, limited-production, bare-bones, barn-burning beasts tore up the drag strips, regularly laying down quarter-mile times of less than 12 seconds. In 1964, the Pontiac GTO with its 389ci engine was introduced and the flood gates were opened. Pop open a hood and chances were pretty good you’d see a HEMI or big-block. Ford launched its Mustang (okay, arguably a pony car, but tomayto, tomahto) in addition to Fairlanes and Galaxies for those who wanted something a bit larger; General Motors introduced the Chevelle Super Sport, the Buick Gran Sport, the Olds 442, the Camaro and the Firebird; Mopar offered up Chargers, Coronets, Challengers, Barracudas and GTXs; AMC brought forth the AMX and the Javelin. All became legendary. But by the mid-1970s, things began to change. With gas prices on the rise, customers were looking for fuel economy, not tire-burning performance. While the muscle-car era came to an end in the country’s showrooms, it lives on at Barrett-Jackson, where stunning original examples of what were initially called “America’s supercar” continue to command attention on the auction block – as evidenced by those on offer at the 2024 Scottsdale Auction, January 20-28 at WestWorld.
1967 CHEVROLET YENKO SUPER CAMARO 427/450 – NO RESERVE
Pictured above, this 1967 Chevrolet Yenko Camaro 427/450 began as one of 1,138 L78 396/375hp cars built equipped with a Muncie M21 close-ratio 4-speed manual transmission. It is finished in Deepwater Blue Poly paint with black bucket seats. Options include a tinted windshield, posi-traction rear axle with 3.73 ratio, front disc brakes, teakwood steering wheel, AM radio and Special Interior Group. It was upgraded to a Super Camaro 450 standard, including replacement of the 396ci short-block for the L72 427ci unit. Other items included a Stewart-Warner tachometer and instrument package, a fiberglass hood, hood pins and added 427 emblems. The car was verified by Yenko expert Vince Emme and documented as one of 54 original 1967 Yenko Super Camaros. Listed in the Yenko Supercar Registry, YS-725 retains the original VIN plate and hidden VIN cowl stamping. The vehicle is equipped with a non-OEM Trim Tag. Documents include the detailed Jerry MacNeish report, COPO Connection and Camaro Hi-Performance LLC Certificates of Authenticity, copies of the Yenko conversion and dealer invoices, a copy of the original shipping record, an NCRS Shipping Data report and a letter from the original owner. Additionally, original Yenko mechanic Warren Dernoshek inspected and affirmed this Yenko’s authenticity. 1965 SHELBY GT350 – NO RESERVE
This 1965 Shelby GT350 is from the limited production of 562 units for its model year, and one of the final eight crafted in 1965. It is named the “Triple Nickel” within the esteemed Shelby community, referring to its “555” Shelby serial number. Extensive documentation includes original Shelby invoices, SAAC ownership history, SAAC VIN verification, prior ownership documents, dealership order request to Shelby and other various receipts, period photos and owner correspondence. It was ordered new through Hickey Ford in Albany, NY. Under current ownership, 555 received a thorough undercarriage and suspension refurbishment and the replacement of the R-model racing apron, with a factory NOS front apron, bumper and bumper guards, reinstating the vehicle to its original stock form. Power comes from the legendary K-code 289 Hi-Po motor with high-rise aluminum manifold and finned Cobra valve covers, paired with an aluminum T10 4-speed manual transmission featuring an NOS shifter, accompanied by all the authentic Shelby components delivered from the factory. The addition of correct Craig Conley 5-spoke wheels further elevates 555’s aesthetic appeal. Even the oil pressure gauge was skillfully restored by the late Jim Cowles of Shelby Parts and Restorations. The car has 39,170 actual miles.
NICOLAS CAGE’S 1970 PLYMOUTH HEMI ‘CUDA – NO RESERVE
This 1970 Plymouth HEMI ‘Cuda is powered by a 426/425hp HEMI engine paired with a 4-speed transmission and a Super Track Pak Dana axle with 4.10 gears. It has been visually inspected and certified by Galen Govier as a matching-numbers car and drivetrain. The engine and transmission were rebuilt and restored, and the car has the correct factory markings, stampings, numbers and dated components. It features the original sheet metal and power disc brakes. This ‘Cuda is registered and documented with the Chrysler Registry to be #128 of the 284 1970 HEMI ‘Cudas built with 4-speed transmissions. The black vinyl bucket-seat interior features a Rallye instrument cluster and a rim-blow steering wheel. The vehicle comes with three large binders of extensive documentation, including the inspection and certification report of the engine and transmission by Mopar expert Frank Badalson, as well as inspection reports by Galen Govier, along with full Fender Tag decoding, Window Sticker, owner’s manual, owner’s documents and receipts, and photos and details of the complete restoration. The provenance of this car includes past ownership by Academy Award-winning actor Nicolas Cage (from whom the seller purchased the car) and Jack Sharkey, former president of the National HEMI Owners Association.
1970 PLYMOUTH HEMI SUPERBIRD – NO RESERVE
This 1970 Plymouth HEMI Superbird is one of 135 produced in 1970 with a 426ci 8-cylinder engine. The original matching-numbers engine is hooked to an upgraded 18-spline A833 HEMI 4-speed manual transmission and the rear end was upgraded with the stout 3.54 Dana. This car’s solid provenance includes the original decoded Fender Tag, matching-numbers engine, most of the Build Sheet, all body stampings and a Wise Validation Report. This ‘Bird retains much of its original interior, including the original seats, door panels, instrument cluster, dash pad and headliner. It rides on Goodyear Polyglas tires over Rallye wheels.
1967 FORD SHELBY GT500 – NO RESERVE
This 1967 Shelby GT500 is powered by a 427ci side-oiler engine that was installed in 1971 at Doenges-Glass Ford in Aurora, CO. The Marti Report shows this car to be one of eight 1967 models equipped with air conditioning and one of five that did not have any factory emissions. It features power steering, power disc brakes, shoulder harness, 4-speed manual transmission, deluxe Kelsey-Hayes wheels, air conditioner, radio and fold-down rear seat. The dash was signed by Carroll Shelby, racer Jack Sears and Shelby engineer Phil Remington. The sale comes with an Elite Marti Report and engine swap documentation. 1969 CHEVROLET CAMARO Z/28 – NO RESERVE
This 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 retains its matching-numbers DZ 302ci V8 engine with the original Holley carburetor. The engine is coupled to a date-code-correct Muncie M22 4-speed manual transmission. Power is transferred through the 12-bolt posi-traction rear end with 4.10 gears. This car has been certified by Camaro expert Jerry MacNeish of Camaro Hi-Performance. The interior features the original bucket seat covers. Items such as the dash pad, door panels and carpeting were replaced new. The 3-spoke steering wheel frames a tachometer with a 6K-rpm redline, accompanied by a 120-mph speedometer and fuel-level gauge. From the MS CLASSIC CARS Collection.
1970 FORD MUSTANG BOSS 429 – NO RESERVE
This 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429 is powered by its original 429ci V8 engine and 4-speed manual transmission. It sits on U.S. Mags wheels with Goodyear Polyglas tires. The highlight of the Mustang Boss 429 was the semi-hemispherical engine put in this car for homologation purposes. The engine is topped with an aluminum intake and Holley 4-barrel carburetor. All 1970 Boss 429s were completed by Kar Kraft and given separate serial numbers; this is KK NASCAR #2245. This is one of 62 Boss 429s painted in Grabber Blue with a black interior in 1970, according to its Deluxe Marti Report. 1970 PLYMOUTH SUPERBIRD – NO RESERVE
This 1970 Plymouth Superbird received a 2-year rotisserie restoration and has been authenticated by Mopar expert Dave Wise. It is powered by its matching-numbers 440ci V8 engine upgraded with Six-Barrel carburation and mated to a TorqueFlite 727 3-speed automatic transmission. It is one of 618 U-code automatic Superbirds produced in 1970. The restoration included new or rebuilt components, such as new wiring harnesses, lights, brake lines and glass. The exterior is all-original, except the rear quarter-panels. Included with the sale are the Wise Validation Report, the listing in the MMC Detroit Global Registry, restoration receipts and photos.
1970 FORD MACH 1 TWISTER SPECIAL – NO RESERVE
Equipped with its matching-numbers R-code engine, this 1970 Ford Mach 1 is one of 96 Twister Special Mustangs and one of 48 powered by a Super Cobra Jet big-block engine, paired with an automatic transmission. Mach 1 Twister Specials were top of the line, with Mustang sport roofs that had grille-mounted fog lights, aluminum lower rocker panels, black honeycomb rear panels, competition suspension and the Mach 1 deluxe bucket-seat interior with molded door panels, console, wood grain, trim and a 3-spoke rim-blow steering wheel. This award-winning example comes with a Marti Report and is registered in the Twister Special Registry.
1970 MERCURY CYCLONE GT 429 SCJ DRAG-PAK – NO RESERVE
This 1970 Mercury Cyclone GT is one of only 73 built with the 429 Super Cobra Jet V8 Drag-Pak. Refinished in its original color of Competition Yellow, it is documented with the original Ford invoice and Elite Marti Report. The black vinyl interior features high-back bucket seats and a rim-blow sport steering wheel. The car is powered by the original matching-numbers 429 Super Cobra Jet V8 engine factory-rated at 375hp, which was bored .80 over and stroked to a 533ci. The engine is coupled to the original matching-numbers 4-speed transmission with Hurst shifter. From the MS CLASSIC CARS Collection.
1973 PONTIAC FIREBIRD TRANS AM 455 SUPER DUTY – NO RESERVE
This 1973 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Super Duty is powered by a matching-numbers Pontiac LS2-code SD-455ci V8 engine producing 290hp backed by a 3-speed automatic transmission. It is equipped with a limited-slip rear axle with a 3.42 ratio, power steering and power brakes. Finished in Cameo White, this Trans Am features air conditioning, an AM radio, power windows, Soft Ray tinted glass, an optional center console, a full gauge set with a tachometer and an optional hood decal. This car is sitting on 15-inch Pontiac Honeycomb wheels wrapped in Firestone Wide Oval 60 tires. 36,086 miles (title reads exempt).