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Top 10 Cool Cars Heading to the 2017 Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Auction

Arya Ebrahimi
9 Min Read

If you’re a Chevy fan, you’ll want to tune into the 2017 Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Auction.

Taking place April 6 to 8 in Palm Beach, Florida, the 15th Annual Palm Beach Auction will feature numerous classic, rare Chevrolets as well as modern ones. But that’s not all that will be crossing the auction block, as there are a few more notable cars worth keeping an eye on.

SEE ALSO: Top 5 Most Expensive Cars Sold During 2016 Monterey Car Week

The 2017 Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Auction will be broadcast on Discovery, Velocity and Velocity Canada during the three-day event.

“Chevrolet has fueled our love affair for high-performance driving with sports cars like the Corvette and muscle cars such as the Camaro, and we’re proud that many of these iconic Chevy vehicles will cross our auction block in Palm Beach,” said Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson.

Here are our picks for the Top 10 most interesting cars on the auciton block:

10. 2008 Pontiac G8

Top 10 Cool Cars Heading to the 2017 Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Auction

While a 2008 Pontiac G8 is hardly anything exciting – there is a reason the automaker no longer exists – this one is a bit special. Acting legend Burt Reynolds will be on stage presenting this VIN #001 Pontiac G8 for Restore a Muscle Car and Bandit Movie Cars of Florida. It’s the first production Pontiac G8 sequenced for the American market and was purchased new by a high-performance Pontiac magazine staff member for use as a national promotion involving Pedders Suspension. It has been extremely well stored and cared for and only has 804 miles on the odometer.

It’s currently part of the Burt Reynolds collection and the winning bidder will also receive a copy of the letter from Pontiac’s general manager, Jim Bunnell, notifying the receiving dealer of being selected to receive the special VIN# 001 car. Also included are the original window sticker bearing Burt Reynolds’ signature and other GM-Pontiac paperwork.


9. 1991 Nissan GTR

Top 10 Cool Cars Heading to the 2017 Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Auction

It took a long time before the Nissan GTR nameplate was actually sold in the U.S. Before then, enthusiasts would have to find ways to import the Skyline GTR stateside. This 1991 Nissan Skyline GTR is powered by a 2.6-liter twin-turbo six-cylinder engine and is a true, legally imported model. It originally left Japan as a collector’s car and entered the U.S. under the same conditions, allowing it to be titled and driven legally. There’s a fancy set of Advan wheels on each corner and other modifications include an HKS boost controller, turbo timer and a full set of gauges.


8. President Bush’s 2009 Ford F-150 King Ranch Super Crew Pickup

Top 10 Cool Cars Heading to the 2017 Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Auction

It’s not Donald Trump’s Ferrari F430, but former President Bush is a bit more subtle when it comes to vehicle choices. This 2009 Ford F-150 King Ranch Super Crew pickup was purchased by former President George W. Bush shortly after he left the White House and is powered by a 5.4-liter V8 paired to an automatic transmission. Former President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush used the truck to work around their ranch and to entertain friends, says Barrett-Jackson. The right airbag panel features President Bush’s signature and the sale of the truck will benefit the Community Foundation of Cleveland and Bradley County, Tennessee.


7. Reggie Wayne’s 1967 Ford Mustang GT Custom Fastback

Top 10 Cool Cars Heading to the 2017 Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Auction

Owned by NFL wide receiver Reggie Wayne, this 1967 Ford Mustang GT custom fastback features a 545ci V8 engine paired to a Tremec T56 six-speed manual transmission. It also has power steering, air conditioning, push-button start and shaved handles to give it a sleek look. The engine has been tweaked with a body-matched air cleaner that stuffs wind into a high-performance Mass-Flow fuel-injection system. The interior has firm, modern bucket seats wrapped in fine leather, while custom door panels with classy handles and subtle metal accents can be found in the cabin.


6. 1967 Alfa Romeo Spider Convertible

Top 10 Cool Cars Heading to the 2017 Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Auction

The Alfa Romeo name is gaining a presence in the U.S. again, but if the recent models don’t do it for you, maybe this classic might. The 1967 Alfa Romeo Spider Convertible is powered by a twin-cam, four-cylinder engine with twin side Weber carburetors and a five-speed manual transmission. The iconic boattail design makes for a rare collectible and is just one of the few remaining 6,325 Alfa cars designed and produced by Pininfarina. The car has been maintained for nearly 20 years by the same mechanic and only one owner for almost all its years. It has also always been garaged and never seen a winter.


5. 1967 Chevrolet Corvette 427/400 Convertible

Top 10 Cool Cars Heading to the 2017 Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Auction

Boasting a Goodwood Green finish over a black vinyl interior, this original matching-numbers car features rare and unusual options. It’s a real factory side-pipe car, making it one of just 16 produced with the rare and desirable combination. The 1967 Chevrolet Corvette 427/400 Convertible is equipped with factory air conditioning, automatic transmission, power steering, power brakes, power windows, tilt wheel, speed warning indicator and tinted glass. Since 1977, the car has undergone to very recent restorations, one of which was frame-off. According to Barrett-Jackson, the car has acquired almost every notable award in the hobby, including NCRS Top Flight, Bloomington Gold, Chevy Vette Fest Concourse Gold and the coveted Triple Diamond award.


4. Lee Marvin’s 1968 Shelby GT500KR Convertible

Top 10 Cool Cars Heading to the 2017 Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Auction

One of the original 518 convertibles and one of 231 produced in Acapulco Blue, this 1968 Shelby GT500KR Convertible was originally delivered to actor Lee Marvin. The mint-condition car is powered by a 428ci engine and features the signature on the console that reads, “Best Wishes Lee Marvin, Carroll Shelby.” The car also comes with Lee Marvin memorabilia. There’s 47,000 original miles on the odometer, but it has only been driven 1,500 miles since it was rebuilt.


3. 1960 Chevrolet El Camino Custom Pickup

Top 10 Cool Cars Heading to the 2017 Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Auction

One of the most unique cars being auctioned this weekend is this 1960 Chevrolet El Camino Custom Pickup. Thousands of hours went into creating this machine that features a laser-straight body and show-quality paint. Some custom exterior features include one-piece valance, one-piece bumpers, shaved cowl and shaved door handles. Up front, there are 18-inch Boze Chicane polished wheels, while the rear boasts larger 19-inch pieces. The fabricated rear bed has been modified with 20-inch mini tubs, and the floor lifts up electrically to showcase the undercarriage. The engine compartment houses a GM ZZ 502ci engine with a Ram Jet fuel-injection system and is rated at 502 horsepower.


2. 1969 Chevrolet Camaro COPO

Top 10 Cool Cars Heading to the 2017 Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Auction

Before the modern Chevrolet Camaro COPO drag cars, there were the classic ones. This 1969 COPO Camaro features a classic Hugger Orange paint job while the inside boasts an Ivory interior. It has been fully restored and comes complete with original Protect-O-Plate package, installment sales contract, Roger Budd Chevrolet envelope package, and 1969 pre-delivery inspection sheet. Under the hood is a V8 engine, Muncie four-speed manual transmission while other features include 12-bolt Camaro axle and correct brake booster. It also has a matching-numbers engine and correct date-coded drivetrain.


1. First 2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE

Top 10 Cool Cars Heading to the 2017 Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Auction

But perhaps most exciting is the first production 2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE. The winning bidder will receive the first retail production vehicle of the most track-capable Camaro ever, and it will likely be Rick Hendrick, who has scooped up several of Chevrolet’s past first car auctions. All of the proceeds from the auction will go on to benefit United Way, so 100 percent of its sale is heading to charity.

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