Hello Friends and Family,

2023 Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction, part 7

Link to this year's index by clicking here.

Today we start with a 1953 Chevrolet Bel Air that was released in my pre-teen years and looked old to me even when I became a teenager and started paying attention to automobiles. If I recall correctly, my uncle had one of these and I was allowed to drive it before getting my license. I was restricted to dirt roads on the nearby farms but it was good practice, especially since it had a manual transmission.

It has received a complete frame-off restoration. Inside the smoothed engine bay sits an L36 big-block 427ci V8 engine topped with twin 4-barrel Holley carburetors tucked between a color-keyed Weiand Hi-Rise and bird-catcher air intake. A billet-mounted serpentine accessory drive system supports chrome components and a Vintage Air climate control system. Power is put through a Turbo 350 automatic transmission and into a Currie 9-inch rear end.


During the restoration, this Bel Air received rack & pinion steering and air-ride suspension. All four corners have had power disc brakes added. Riding on Budnik wheels, this Bel Air's interior features include all custom gauges, fine leather seats, remote entry, power windows, and an Alpine stereo system.


To my surprise, this vehicle sold for $60,500. I did not expect it to be so costly.


This 1951 Mercury was restored by the award-winning Customs & Hot Rods of Andice. The build of this 4-door Mercury began with a rust-free original body painted a beautiful candy apple red. It is powered by a 294ci V8 engine backed by a TREMEC 5-speed manual transmission with a Ford 9-inch rear end. Rebuilt by H&H Flatheads, the bored and stroked engine has custom Offenhauser heads as well as a Harrell 2x2 aluminum high-rise intake.


The fully custom Mercury features air-ride shocks from RideTech and features a 4-link rear suspension. The wheels are fitted with one-off custom hubcaps and are wrapped in whitewall tires. Additionally, the interior is fully custom, it has a hidden high-power JL Audio Bluetooth sound system and the Mercury features several chrome components, as well as air conditioning.

This vehicle sold for $53,900.


This custom 2000 Plymouth Prowler underwent a 5-year build with an extensive custom-fabricated body. It is equipped with a polished rear pan and polished stainless-steel dual exhaust, along with shaved handles, sculpted trim, paint that was wet-sanded and polished to a mirror finish, and HID headlamps. Suicide doors open to reveal the handmade custom interior finished in Cream-colored Italian leather with black stitching. A waterfall between the seats holds three 8-inch JL Audio speakers. There is an extensive AV system, including two 10-inch JL Audio subwoofer basses mounted under the custom rear clamshell, with four 750-watt JL Audio amps mounted on motorized panels that are controlled by remote. There are 12 additional speakers mounted in the cabin, for a total of 17. A 10-inch in-dash monitor and a 26-inch TV round out the AV system.


There is polished brightwork throughout, custom switches in the cabin, a custom grille, and chrome front and rear suspension. Stopping power is provided by the Wilwood polished aluminum front big-brake kit. This convertible received custom paint under the hood, with chrome details throughout. It sits on 24-inch Asanti wheels in the rear and 20-inch wheels in the front, wrapped in Pirelli P Zero tires. The car is offered from the Historic Motorcar Company collection.

This baby sold for $35,200 (compared to $29,700 for the Prowler that I covered two weeks ago). I am surprised that both went so cheaply.


Here we see a 1953 Ford F-100 pickup. For those who are not truck enthusiasts, you should know that the Ford F-Series is a series of light-duty trucks marketed and manufactured by Ford since the 1948 model year and are still sold today.

This one is powered by a 351ci Windsor small-block engine that has been stroked to a 393ci with AFR aluminum heads, roller rockers and lifters, a SCAT crankshaft, ARP head studs, and more. This engine is topped with a quick-fuel carburetor and an MSD ignition, as well as a March serpentine belt and pulley system, and is mated to a Ford C6 transmission built by Cordray's Auto Repair and Transmission. The exhaust is built from 2.5-inch mandrel bent tubing, and it even has dual working fuel tanks.


This Ford rides on TCI front suspension with adjustable coilover springs, disc brakes, and a 2-inch drop spindle, along with a No Limit 4-bar system with coilover springs, all hooked to a Dutchman Ford 9-inch rear end with 3.50 gears and Trak-Loc. Stopping power is provided by a Hydro-Boost system. The interior is basically stock with the exception of aftermarket gauges under the dash to see what the engine is really doing, all-new glass, and even delayed wipers if this truck gets caught in the rain.

This F150 sold for $38,500. That's a pretty good price for an older truck needing refurbishment. Luckily, that work is mostly repainting — and should come out looking very cool.


Next up is a beautiful 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 428 Super Cobra Jet R-Code Drag Pack with a 4-speed manual transmission with matching numbers. This survivor example is presented with a Candy Apple Red exterior with original paint, original belts on the motor, a Shaker hood, and the interior sports black knit vinyl bucket seats.


Other features include power steering and power disc brakes. This was purchased new at Foss Ford in Pennsylvania and includes original documentation, Build Sheet, original title, and Deluxe Marti Report. This was a one-owner car until last year.

This gem sold for $110,000.


Lincolns (made by Ford) were among the land yachts of my youth (alongside Cadillacs and Imperials). This 1962 Lincoln Continental custom convertible is powered by a 430ci 4-barrel V8 engine mated to an automatic transmission. The car rides on RideTech fully adjustable air-ride suspension with a 4-link rear setup and stopping power is provided by 4-wheel disc brakes.


It is finished in Tuxedo Black with a power convertible top, with an interior that features 8-way power-adjustable seats, custom black leather with white piping, and a custom sound system.

This nostalgic trip to the past would have only cost you $95,700 (or maybe another $100 to outbid the actual winner 😎).


To be continued...

Life is good.

Aloha,
B. David

P. S., All photos and text © B. David Cathell Photography, Inc. — www.bdavidcathell.com