Deep pockets at Barrett-Jackson!
This weekend’s Barrett-Jackson auction in Palm Beach was the usual festival of loud shouting and loud clothing, punctuated by over-the-top antics from the auctioneers and bid catchers. Barrett-Jackson is always a show and, if one keeps that in mind, it can be a lot of fun to watch. Let’s check out a few of the off-road rigs that crossed the block.
This number sold for $10,450 including the buyer’s fee, meaning it hammered on the block for just $9500. According to the seller’s description, it has had a frame-off restoration within the last 5 years and “run and drive” well. It is powered by a 4-cylinder engine and backed by a 4-speed manual transmission. This would be a ton of fun and begs the question: this or a new Mahindra Roxor?
Cashing in on Gladiator mania is this Scrambler. Said to be the product of a total frame-off restoration, it is powered by a 345hp 5.3-liter Vortec engine mated to a 700R4 automatic transmission with overdrive. Underneath, one will find a 9” front and rear Currie with 4.56 gears, Detroit lockers, and Dana 300 transfer case with 4:1 low gear. Its listed selling price tells us the hammer dropped on a heady $42,000 bid.
While some other first-gen Bronco off-roaders on the docket hammered away in the mid-thirties, this custom rig handed the buyer a bill for $132,000 after buyer’s fee. The description reads like a dream, listed as a fully frame-off restored and customized 4×4 Bronco with just 50 test miles. It’s powered by a Ford 5.0-liter fuel-injected Coyote V8 engine and a 6R80 6-speed automatic transmission. The build has a 3” lift and the interior is fully LINE-X protected, topped off with marine-grade Saddle upholstery.
The days of finding an old K5 behind the barn seem long past, with this beauty raking in $70,000 before the 10% buyer’s fee. The seller described is as having spent its entire life on the West Coast until it was transported to South Florida in January 2019 by its current owner when he was transferred with the U.S. military. It has 39,792 original miles and recently underwent a detailed nut-and-bolt, ground-up restoration to original GM specifications. The Blazer retains its complete original, matching-numbers drivetrain, including the 350ci V8 engine, Turbo 350 automatic transmission, transfer case and differentials.
[Images: Barrett-Jackson]