By james art 
In the last few Days, we showed you a few of the neat cars that reside under the tents outside. Now it’s time to show you some of the classics under the big top! Here’s a selection that should get the horsepower award-winners hooked!
1970 Pontiac Gto Judge Ram Air III Convertible (Lot 1449.2)
The godfather of the GTO, Jim Wangers, was a marketing purist who thought the Judge should not continue in 1970. in 1970 as it was a promotional model designed to kick GTO Sales Up. It didn’t happen that way, though 10 percent of the 1969 GTOS. consisted of judges, plus the performance package added to the image and lure of the GTO.
The bean counters won and the judge moved on in 1970. With a strong restyling, the GTO was in good shape and the designers tweaked the judge’s package for their part. The overall effect was more extroverted. Equipment remained the same aside from the late addition of the 455. This Verdoro Green Convertible nicely flaunts the new styling. The majority of the 168 built had the Ram Air III engine with a four-speed manual, just like this one.
1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 (Lot 1122)
Root for the bewilderment, so Chevrolets aren’t usually on my radar. This 1969 Camaro Z/28 strikes me for several reasons: (1) I love garnet red among the reds of the era, (2) I love the red interior even if it matches the exterior, (3) I can’t help but like the body-colored Endura bumper, (4) Torq Thrust Mags set this apart from all those stock Zs, and (5) has more Day II goodness, including vintage ceramic-coated headers, grips, and an aluminum-finish, differential cover. What’s not to like?
Matching numbers 302s with COWL induction are backed by M21 close-quarters and a 3.73 POSI out back. McNish also authenticated it. As this story was being written, this Camaro won the top bid at $99,000.
1970 Ford Mustang 428 CJ Convertible (Lot 1094.1)
Of course, Mustangs are everywhere, but not all Mustangs are created equal – this Mustang is the perfect example. Let’s look at the vitals: 7,673 convertibles built in 1970, which was quite a drop from a high of over 70 grand for both 1965-66. Of these convertibles, only 47 were equipped with the 428 COBRA JET. Two CJs were available—one without RAM Air (Q-Code), the other with a Shaker Hood scoop (R-Code).
This car is Q-code, meaning it is one of 14 and one of nine with an automatic. It’s redesigned with a shaker, which doesn’t seem like a bad idea; Ditto The Mach I Grille. At the time of this writing, it went up on the block and seemed to stop at $75,000, but the auctioneers did their thing and the next thing you know, it sold for $396,000. Take that, Shelbys!
1998 Chevrolet Corvette Callaway C12 Custom Coupe (Lot 1128.1)
Callaway Cars names its projects with a C and a serial number. For example, the first Callaway Twin Turbo Corvette from 1987. was a C4 (coincidentally, the generation we’re using for this particular Corvette). The 1997-2001 C12 was a street version of a GT2 car based on the C5. The only original parts of the retained body included the glass and roof, plus a few interior components. The body consisted of GRP and Kevlar on a hydroformed steel skeleton.
Several engine choices were available, all versions of the 5.7 and 6.2 small blocks and all available with the modifications that Callaway was known for. All told, 20 C12s were built, with this 5,408-mile example powered by a “supernatural” LS1. As this story was going to press, the hammer fell and this C12 sold for $104,500.
The Barrett-Jackson 2025 Scottsdale Collector Car Auction continues through Sunday, January 26th at Scottsdale’s Westworld. If you can’t attend, you can still watch it online at Barrett-jackson.com!