Barrett-Jackson 2026 Scottsdale Auction: Cars of Tent 1
When you walk through the Barrett-Jackson 2026 Scottsdale Auction at WestWorld, the first auction vehicles you see are rows of exotics, restomods, and muscle cars. Walk a little further indoors and you will see hundreds of cars, but the outside tents also house hundreds of vehicles that cross the block – and several surprises.
Below are several cars from Tent 1 that will be crossing the block at the Barrett-Jackson 2026 Scottsdale Auction. The eclectic selection is a highlight of the experience Barrett-Jackson offers.
1966 Buick Wildcat GS
Nineteen sixty-six was the only year Buick had three Gran Sport models: Skylark, Riviera, and Wildcat. It also was the only year for the Wildcat GS, making these cars curiosities even among Buicks. The GS package was available on the Wildcat and Wildcat Custom hardtop and convertible and included the 340-horsepower 425 (an upgrade from the 401/325 that was standard on regular Wildcats), limited-slip rear, and heavy-duty suspension. This also was the final year the dual-quad 360-horse “Nailhead” was available, though this example has the standard four-barrel version. Only 1,244 were built among all four Wildcat Gran Sport iterations.
1979 Ford Bronco Custom SUV
I’ve always dug the Free Wheeling graphics from this era, which really stand out against the black flanks. This one received the restomod treatment as evidenced by the 7.3-liter Godzilla V8 paired with a 10R140 10-speed automatic transmission. Other upgrades include 4.11 gears, Atlas transfer case, four-inch lift, BDS shocks, rear disc brakes, power steering, air conditioning, and Dakota Digital gauges. Kudos go to Paradise Customs of Gilbert, Arizona, for the build.
1971 Ford Mustang Boss 351
Talk with a fan who bleeds Ford Blue and (s)he’ll tell you this car is equipped with the best version of Ford’s 351 V8. Diehards will even claim it’s faster than the 429 Cobra Jet, though CJ fans would rather fight than switch. Raven Black paint (131 out of 1,806 were this color) scored you silver stripes and trim, which gives it a magnificent look and a nice change of pace from your usual white or black. Come to think of it, this Boss 351 might be for everyone after all!
1973 De Tomaso Pantera
Few cars handled the U.S. federalized front bumper as well as the Pantera. Similarly to the Boss above, it’s powered by a four-barrel 351 Cleveland, though this one features a five-speed manual. Other features include air conditioning, AM/FM radio, staggered tire sizes, and factory chrome exhaust. The previous owner kept this from 1975 until 2021, which is always a nice plus for prospective buyers. Since this Italo-American is a hybrid of sorts, is it allowed to drive in the carpool lane with a Prius?
1948 Lincoln Continental Coupe
This model is the last of the first-generation Continentals, not to mention the last American V12. The original Valley Green metallic glows, complemented by the green cloth and leather interior. Other features include power windows, signal-seeking AM radio, heater/defroster, and three-speed manual. One of the last pre-war designs before the post-war redesign, this Lincoln reflects a mix of old-world looks with new-world styling.
1970 Mercury Cougar Eliminator
The stripes and spoiler thing was out in force for 1970, and who better than Mercury to lead the way with two models loaded for bear? (I’d say Pontiac was the other brand that had two bespoilered models.) The Eliminator played the role well as it came standard with front and rear spoilers—there even was a stripe on top of the spoiler, no less! Again, making an appearance here is a four-barrel 351 Cleveland, which was the standard engine, though those who wished for more could always step up to the Boss 302 or 428 Cobra Jet.
1941 Dodge G505 Custom Pickup
This custom half-ton pickup is the quintessential “fully restored and tastefully upgraded” specimen that often appears at Barrett-Jackson. Power Wagon vibes with a knack for furniture restoration is another way to see it. Power comes from an upgraded 251ci Chrysler Spitfire inline-6 engine (replacing the factory 230ci unit) paired with a five-speed manual transmission (replacing the original four-speed), which helps make modern driving conditions easier to handle. However, I’d be lying if I said the custom woodwork didn’t interest me the most.
1955 Ford Fairlane Crown Victoria Skyliner
It’s easy to gravitate to Tri-Five Chevys over Fords of the same era, but the 1955 Ford was strong too. In addition, the unusual Crown Victoria model had a Skyliner variant that included a partial Plexiglass roof for the sun to shine through—perhaps a proto-sunroof design without the wind? Power comes from a 292ci V8 paired with a Cruise-O-Matic transmission. Apparently, this one’s been sitting in a museum, so it could use some TLC, making it an excellent candidate for those capable.
2002 Lincoln Blackwood
Remember these? Available only for one model year (though some resources say a version was available in Mexico for 2003), the Lincoln is rather uncommon as 3,383 were built. Apparently, functionality was compromised by several concessions to style, which was no bueno to customers. Pull up to the country club in one of these and those with a Lincoln Mark LT will writhe in inadequacy.
1938 LaSalle Sedan
The Great Depression was unkind to a lot of cars, but LaSalle managed to survive the decade, only to be discontinued after 1940. Throughout its existence, it always came off as a sportier, kid version of Cadillac, though that’s difficult to reconcile judging by the formal look of this sedan. Harley Earl’s style is all over this, which is about as attractive as any car from ’38. Power comes from a 322ci V8 paired with a three-speed manual.
1938 Chrysler Royal Sedan
I also think 1939 Chrysler products were strong across the board. If you think this ’39 Royal two-door sedan has something that makes you do a double-take, you would not be wrong—sealed-beam headlights have been installed. Chryslers of this era came with either six- or eight-cylinder engines, a symbol of Chrysler’s position in the market. Aside from the headlights, this one has been updated with four-wheel disc brakes, 12-volt electrical system, and aftermarket air conditioning.
1957 Toyota FJ25 Land Cruiser
I don’t know much about Land Cruisers—their history appears convoluted to newbies—but I do know that this one from 1957 is quite early, especially in America. The 3.6-liter inline-six (loosely based on the GMC 236 engine and built under license) is paired with a four-speed manual. Features include a rebuilt original Aisan carburetor, new clutch, reconditioned and pressure-tested fuel tank, new fuel lines and fuel pump, new radiator, and a fully functional four-wheel-drive transfer case. It would be neat to compare this to a Jeep.
1977 AMC Gremlin
This facelifted Gremlin features a transplant to the tune of 360 cubic inches, replacing the original four-cylinder. Additional upgrades include power steering, power brakes, dual exhaust, and fully restored suspension and steering components. The interior is “Hot Scotch” and looks exactly how it sounds. If you’re familiar with Randall Rambler, then this one could be seen as a little brother of sorts, full of horsepower combined with 1970s AMC Malaise. Buy this for Granny and see what happens (provided she lives in Pasadena).
