The 10 Coolest Cars Snapped Up At The Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas Auction

Last weekend was the final Barrett-Jackson auction of 2015, held in the best place to simultaneously make and lose money quickly: Las Vegas. Most people associate Barrett-Jackson with insane bidders throwing insane money on cars that may or may not be worth it, but like any good television show, that’s what happens when you combine the key elements of drama - in this case, some of the finest cars on the planet with people whose bankrolls are matched only by their egos.

Attend a Barrett-Jackson auction off the primetime schedule, however, and you just might score a cool car for a surprisingly cool price. Here are ten great buys that took place at last weekend’s auction.

Lot 1.1: 1999 Lexus SC300 Coupe - $4400

The very first car on the block is one of my unsung favourites; a 2JZ-powered Lexus SC300. Unfortunately this one was equipped with the automatic transmission, but for $4400 it’s tough to complain, especially when it’s in excellent condition with less than 100,000 miles on the odometer.

Lot 39.1: 1969 Buick Custom Sport Wagon - $14,850

I’m a sucker for wagons, and this one is a real head-turner. It’s also a mild resto-mod with suspension and brake upgrades. This is a great way to enjoy vintage 1960s American muscle while being unique, and you couldn’t even come close to building this car for the $14,850 selling price.

Lot 42: 1989 Jaguar XJS Convertible - $9900

The XJS is a timeless design, and with this example only sporting 31,000 miles, it’s a great buy. For Jag purists, this predates Ford’s acquisition of the company, and with V12 power wrapped in a sexy blue finish, it’s a fabulous, inexpensive weekend cruiser.

Lot 65: 1973 Volvo 1800 ES Sport Wagon - $9570

The rarity alone makes this a cool Barrett-Jackson find, never mind the sale price under $10,000. Equipped with a 2.0-litre four cylinder and a four-speed manual with overdrive, this car is also listed as having factory air conditioning and less than 50,000 miles. This is a true unknown classic.

Lot 205: 1965 Ford Mustang - $11,000

For those who didn’t think a vintage Mustang in good condition was in reach, this 1965 hardtop delivers every bit of the classic Mustang experience. Originally a six-cylinder car, it now runs a Mustang-correct 289 cubic inch V8 with a three-speed automatic. The fastbacks are more desirable, but to score a vintage V8 Mustang in excellent shape for $11,000 is something special.

Lot 461: 1991 Chevrolet Corvette Callaway ZR1 - $30,800

The fourth-generation Corvette isn’t remembered fondly by many, but the ZR1 was a notable exception. That’s because the 1990-1995 ZR1 used a specially-built DOHC 32-valve V8 that just screamed. And in the hands of noted Corvette tuner Calloway, this particular ZR1 makes 550bhp funneled through a six-speed manual. It’s an incredibly rare find and a bargain at twice the price, never mind $30,000.

Lot 519: 1981 Chevrolet Camaro - $6050

Second-generation Camaros are quickly rising in value, and though this particular example started life as a base Berlinetta, it has Z/28 trim, T-tops, a 350 cubic-inch V8, and it looks great in orange and black. The paint job alone is likely close to $6000, never mind the rest of the work. It’s a great example of a second-generation Camaro, and at this price the buyer is probably still doing the happy dance.

Lot 720: 1965 Shelby Cobra 4000 Roadster - $82,500

This isn’t a kit car, rather it’s one of the “continuation” cars built by Shelby a few years ago using an original 1965 chassis. Everything is legit and spot-on as you’d expect on a real Cobra, because it is a real Cobra, right down to the 550bhp 427 cubic-inch side oiler V8 and Top Loader four-speed manual. $82,000 isn’t cheap, but with original Cobras running close to a million dollars, scoring the real deal for a tenth of that cost - albeit built a few decades later - is still one heck of a bargain.

Lot 807: 1967 Chevrolet Impala SS Convertible - $22,000

Impalas were all over the auction block in Las Vegas, but one of the best buys was this all original 1967 SS. Its period-correct gold finish isn’t as flashy as the other cars, and perhaps that held it back. Regardless, this car has all the right parts, including the 275bhp 327 cubic-inch V8, four-speed manual transmission, disc brakes, bucket seats, and the rare factory center console. Drop the top, shift gears and have legitimate old-school fun in a factory stock, all-original, legendary 1960s muscle car.

Lot 7000: 1967 Chevrolet Camaro Custom Coupe - $34,650

With similar Camaros in both stock and custom trim selling closer to $100,000, this one slipped through at a third of the cost. And it’s a keeper with a 475bhp V8, Muncie four-speed manual transmission, front disc brakes and a complete restoration.