2018 is almost upon us and when January rolls around that only means one thing… the world’s greatest collector car auction is getting ready for its 47th annual event in sunny Scottsdale, AZ.
That’s right, Barrett Jackson is warming up their auction block in preparation for yet another record setting year. More than 1500 collector vehicles are set to cross the stage in hopes of going home with the highest bidder. Most of the vehicles will head to a new home because most have no reserve! That will certainly make for some exciting bidding wars and anxious owners hoping to hit their mark.
This year will see a massive influx of coveted custom-built trucks hit the stage. There is good reason for it as well. In an article we wrote in August, according to Hagerty’s valuations, 1945-1968 Dodge Power Wagons and 1966-1977 Ford Broncos are really exploding in the collector’s market. As a matter of fact, 11 of the top 15 collector cars were classic pickups, jeeps or SUVs.
Some of the most sought-after trucks, built by some of the most premier custom builders in the world will be up for grabs January 13 – 21, 2018.
Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson had this to say about the custom truck surplus. “People constantly look for opportunities to expand their collections, and trucks are excellent additions for any collector. The most sought-after vintage trucks are full custom builds, and buyers are seeking both unique design elements and high-quality craftsmanship. Scottsdale will have a great selection, from fully restored ’40s-era Dodge Power Wagons to professionally-built customs. Bringing such a spectacular and diverse docket under one roof that spans more than a million square feet of space will no doubt make for an unforgettable 2018 Scottsdale Auction.”
We will be there this year with camera in hand to capture some shots of these epic cars and trucks. One of the most anticipated trucks certainly has to be Lot # 1346, a 1956 Ford F-100 that sits on a completely custom chassis and is powered by a modern-day Mustang 5.0 Coyote engine.
Another fan favorite will be Lot #1318, Rusty Wallace’s 1966 Chevrolet El Camino Custom Pickup built by West Coast Customs with upgrades from a second respected builder, Detroit Speed. We will also be keeping our eyes peeled for Lot #1101, a 1951 Chevrolet 3100 Custom Pickup built on an Art Morrison chassis and muscled up by a Chevrolet LS3 Hot Cam engine. This custom truck has won numerous awards and was also featured in the November 2015 issue of Street Trucks magazine.
“The mounting interest in collectible trucks is making them a truly hot auction item,” said Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson. “Like 1960s-era American muscle cars, trucks have become as much as a status symbol as they are utilitarian. I’m very proud that the owners, collectors and builders of these incredible custom trucks look to Barrett-Jackson as the ideal marketplace to sell these impressive machines.”
Here are some other notable trucks that will be auctioned off at Barret Jackson this January:
Lot #1052.1: 1967 Chevrolet 3100 Street Rod Pickup
Lot #1154: 1946 Dodge Power Wagon Pickup
Lot #1028: 1948 Dodge Power Wagon Pickup
Lot #1102: 1952 Chevy 3100 Custom Pickup
Lot #1295: 1955 GMC Custom Pickup
We will be in attendance on Saturday, January 20th to see most of the big-ticket vehicles hit the auction block. Stay tuned as we will have tons of pictures to share. If crowds allow, we will get as many truck pics as possible. Certainly, shooting pics of the many coveted classic cars that will be on hand as well.
Tickets to the show at Westworld are still on sale if you are in the Scottsdale, AZ area. Otherwise you will be able to catch all the action on TV. Tune into Velocity TV starting Tuesday, January 16, 2018 for all the action. Click here for a full list of showing times.