WORDS: ELLIOTT HUGHES | PHOTOS: BARRETT-JACKSON
Barrett-Jackson is offering hundreds of coveted collector cars in its inaugural New Orleans Auction at the city’s Ernest N Morial Convention Center on September 28-30, 2023 as part of a televised automotive lifestyle event that includes passenger rides, celebrity appearances and live music.
Following record-breaking sales at Barrett-Jackson's flagship Scottsdale Auction in January and in Las Vegas in June, the New Orleans Auction is anticipated to produce impressive results
Following record-breaking sales at Barrett-Jackson’s flagship Scottsdale Auction in January and in Las Vegas in June, the New Orleans Auction is anticipated to produce impressive results.
The Scottsdale auction saw 1907 vehicles and more than 1100 pieces of automobilia achieve a combined sum of over $190.6m (£148.3m), while some 500 vehicles crossed the block in Las Vegas for a total of $30m (£23.3m).
“We’ve had an incredible year so far, demonstrating that this hobby remains vibrant and united in our passion for vehicles like those that will cross the block in New Orleans,” commented Barrett-Jackson president Steve Davis.
These results have come during a similarly successful period for Barrett-Jackson’s main rival, Mecum, which will host its next major sale during Monterey Car Week on August 17-19. Back in January, Mecum’s vast 4000-lot Kissimmee sale became the first auction ever to sell over $200m (£155.6m) worth of vehicles in back-to-back years.
Barrett-Jackson is still taking consignments for New Orleans, and the auction catalogue is yet to be published at the time of writing. Nevertheless, the US auctioneer has disclosed a couple of early highlights.
The first is a 1968 Ford Mustang 428 Cobra Jet Lightweight – one of only 20 ever built. The vehicle is one of six examples that competed at the 1968 NHRA Winternationals before being raced for the next ten years in the C-Stock class at the Music City Speedway.
Ownership then passed on to renowned drag racer Jeff Velde, who converted the car into Super Stock specification in 1978. The car has since been restored to its original specifications and was named a Hemmings Muscle Car of the Year finalist in 2013.
The other consignment that has been confirmed for New Orleans is a stunning 1958 Chevrolet Corvette Custom Convertible that melds classic styling with modern performance. A brand-new GM LS3 V8 crate engine lurks under the bonnet, complemented by an Art Morrisson chassis with fully independent front and rear suspension, RideTech coilovers and Wilwood brakes.
You can register to bid at Barrett-Jackson’s inaugural New Orleans sale here. Advance tickets to the event are available here.
