By George Fallar 
If I was bidding, and I’m pretty sure I won’t be bidding, these are the next five of the top ten pieces up for NO RESERVE bidding at the Scottsdale Barrett-Jackson auction I’d want for my garage. Click here for the previous five.
Anything too valuable to drive won’t make this list, only iron you can drive makes the cut.
Also of note to gearhead TV viewers, the Gas Monkey Garage F40 will be on the block, although it hasn’t shown up on the Barrett-Jackson site yet. F40s are primo cars in anyone’s book and are the last cars to be built before Enzo died.
There’s a good 7,500 mile color correct Rossa Corsa example once owned by the Petersen museum on the block down the street at the RM Auctions show at the Biltmore, guesstimated for $800k-$1M.
Gas Monkey’s Ferrari had some performance tweaks and is now black instead of Rossa Corsa. It also has the coolness factor of being a GMG star and you’d probably make a TV appearance if you bid on it. Like all other lots at Barrett-Jackson, the F40 is likely being sold with no reserve and you have to admit it looks 100% badass. Follow @RRRawlings and @GasMonkeyGarage to stay on top of the info for this car.
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Coupe
I have always wanted a ’63 split window coupe. In my brain, I would prefer a red fuel injected car, but this one is nice. It has a four speed, good because automatic transmission in 1963 were pretty bad.
Small block ‘Vettes are the way to go if you want a more balanced driver, all the additional weight of the big block (you couldn’t get in 1963 anyway I’m pretty sure) really changes the way the car handles.
1949 Chevrolet Suburban
Since I’ve been riding the scooter and have had to drive a van with a lift, I’ve had it in the back of my brain to get around in a sedan delivery or something significantly cooler than an E-150. Think the original Ironside paddy wagon.
This Suburban is really close to the answer, maybe even close enough to convince me to get a bidding paddle.It’s got a non-standard build with a six cylinder, most people these days would drop in a small block crate motor. This is more interesting with a torquey and usually bombproof inline six warmed up a little with split headers, a new intake and a modern carb. The tranny is a more modern 700R4 instead of a more run of the mill hot rodded turbo 350.
A Ford 9 inch rear and modern suspension and electrics round it out. I don’t see any A/C, and getting a standard kit would be complicated by the six cylinder.
It appears to be a really clean build and the workmanship looks good.
1951 Mercury Custom
Okay it’s not likely I’d drive this too much, the paint would be too hard to replicate for starters. It’s a Merc custom done just right, it has just the right stance and height. It was built under the supervision of Chip Foose at Boyd Coddington’s shop. Gearheads will see the influence of both guys in this car.
This car will go for a lot of money.
1957 Studebaker Golden Hawk
I know, I know, it’s on the fugly side and looks like a Grampsmobile. Doesn’t matter, it has to be considered to be one of the first muscle cars.
Small block 289 motor with a supercharger that’s good for 275 horsepower, 0-60 in 7.8 seconds. It’s got the supercharger whine that gearheads know means good things while civilians think your car is about to blow up. The downside of the powertrain that might actually knock it off my list if I was really spending money? Three speed “three on the tree” manual transmission, ick.
Studebakers were pretty good cars, their engineering was ahead of the time. If they had hired a stylist (although their older pickups are the best looking anywhere) maybe they would have survived.
1966 Sunbeam Tiger
I was lucky enough to snag the keys to a bunch of sports cars over the years and the few Sunbeam Alpines I drove were comfortable with enough head and leg room and performed well. I never got close to driving a Tiger.
The drawbacks to Sunbeams were mostly related to the fact they were British cars and were a little on the flexible side.
Thank Carroll Shelby for the Tiger and the vision to stick an American 260 (later a 289) V8 in a light car. It worked for the Cobra, it works equally well for the Tiger and you can write a much smaller check.
Prices on Tigers have been climbing, so there’s no longer a “secret car” discount for the knowledgeable gearhead. This one will probably bring over $60k.
Arizona Mirror