Hendrick Captures & Sequesters the Best of the Best, Page 2

Saturday is typically the most important day at Barrett-Jackson with the most valuable and prestigious cars crossing the block and 2013 was no different.  This Saturday would  see two world records set, by the 1947 Talbot-Lago T-26 Grand Sport selling for $2.035 million and the 1956 Chrysler Diablo Concept Convertible which sold for  $1.375 million.  It was clear from the crowd reaction when the cars were hammered down, the collector car market had come completely back from the 2008 market and analysts indicated that overall collector car prices were up over 30% from 2012 prices.  

Throughout the day collectors had the opportunity to inspect several great cars that would make stunning additions to any collection.  One of the treats Barrett-Jackson? offers is to be able to inspect several of the finest classic cars with outstanding pedigrees, assembled as the ?Salon Collection?.  It is one of the special benefits Barrett-Jackson? offers to true classic car aficionados, a chance to see many cars that have not been displayed in decades.  This year the  fifty three car collection as a group generated over $29 million.  So as you can tell there was quite a bit to hold my attention while I waited for two special Corvettes scheduled to cross the block later in the day on Saturday: one a part of the ?Salon Collection?, the 1968 Owens-Corning L88 Corvette and, of course, the very first Corvette C7.  

Later on Saturday afternoon when the awesome Owens-Corning L88 Corvette made its way to the stage the crowd was very enthusiastic despite having just witnessed the Batmobile sell for over $4.6 million.  The importance and significance of the historic L88 cannot be over emphasized.  The 1968 race car, number 12, was reputed to be the ?winningest? Corvette in history and had the complete supporting documentation confirming its dominant racing history and provenance.   The Corvette was raced by Tony DeLorenzo and Jerry Thompson, who were the primary team drivers of the Owens-Corning team but in addition Don Yenko and Gib Hufstaeder also drove the car to victory as well.  The red, white and black car was almost unbeatable in FIA GT and SCCA racing. This car along with its stable mate won 22 of 22 SCCA/FIA National Events during 1969-1971. The impressive race car was hammered down at $1.0 million and will join Akerson’s ?58 Corvette in the Hendrick’s private North Carolina Heritage collection.