The 2022 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction has come to a close, and it was quite a memorable event for Ford fans as an assortment of Mustangs, Shelbys, and Bronco SUVs were sold at the annual event. No, they may not have sold for $3.6 million like the first production C8 Corvette Z06 did, but they did contribute to the auctions new record of $203 million USD in sales the past weekend. Most notable was the first production 2022 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR, built for the firm’s 60th anniversary.
Heritage Inspired Bronco, Mustang Shelby GT500KR Highlight BJ Auction
The 2022 Shelby American Mustang GT500KR (pictured: above) is built off a standard S550 Shelby GT500, but has received a 3.8-liter supercharger upgrade that boosts the output to 900 horsepower, which is assisted by a high-volume intercooler and a cold-air intake system. Shelby plans to make 225, with 180 reserved for sale in the USA over three model years (2020-2022). The cars carry an MSRP of $127,895, and the first one build crossed the Barrett-Jackson auction block for $700,000 USD, with all of the proceeds split between the Carroll Shelby Foundation and JDRF, a nonprofit dedicated to diabetes research.
The “Bronco 66” was another charity star, the one-of-one 2021 Ford Bronco First Edition customized with Ford’s help pays homage to the 1980 Bronco that Ford built for Pope John II’s visit to America in October 1979. This 2023 Ford Bronco Heritage Edition teaser (pictured: below) sold for $500,000 with the proceeds donated directly to the Pope Francis Center in Detroit to help combat homelessness.
Next was the 1965 Shelby Cobra 427 S/C CSX continuation car, powered by a Yates-built 7.0-liter V8 that produces 540 ponies. The car was built by Speedway Classic Cars in Las Vegas and sold for $280,000, with proceeds going to the Mayo Clinic. Finally, the custom-built 1968 Mustang Fastback restomod dubbed the “Pegasus Project” (pictured: bottom) brought in $1 million to benefit The Stars Foundation, which is the Saskatchewan-based Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service.
Image via Ford Motor Company
Other notable Ford and Ford-powered vehicles auctioned off at Barrett-Jackson this year were a shadow Black with silver stripes 2017 Ford GT “66 Heritage Edition” that went for $1.43 million; a 1962 Shelby CSX 2032 “Lance Reventlow Cobra” sold for $907,500. A pair of 1970 Ford Mustang 428 Cobra Jet convertible pace cars (of only five built) for the old ARI racing series also sold, one a Grabber Blue version went for $220,000 while a Grabber Green made $192,500. A red 1971 Ford Bronco sporting a 3-inch lift and a blueprinted Ford Racing 347-cubic-inch stroker engine with 416 horsepower sold for $181,500. What is said to be the world’s most well-known custom car not used in film or television, the iconic 1951 “Hirohata Merc,” sold for $1.95 million.
Mecum Moves Most Valuable Mustang A Week Prior
Lastly, the 2022 Mecum Kissimmee Auction two weekends ago was responsible for the sale of a prototype 1965 Shelby GT350R used by Carroll Shelby to demonstrate the GT350’s racing potential sold for $3.75 million. Otherwise known as the “Flying Mustang” and driven by the late Ken Miles, this exact vehicle sold in 2020 for a record $3.85 million, making it the world’s most valuable Ford Mustang, even more than the original Bullitt Mustang movie car. Despite moving for so much money and being the most expensive sale of the entire auction, the owner still lost $100,000 on the sale.
Image copyright Manoli Katakis, Muscle Cars & Trucks.
