We have a great rivalry in the collector car auction world right now, with Barrett-Jackson and Mecum throwing out numbers that rival what other auctions are garnering for our beloved Corvette. After their Kissimmee extravaganza, where a whopping 72% of the 527 ‘Vettes offered sold, Mecum was declared the undisputed champion of collector car auctions. But Barrett-Jackson still rules when it comes to confidence and sales ratios, as their signature no-reserve auctions guarantee a sale. Today, we have a little something for everybody, with an emphasis on the popular trend of custom Corvettes with modern powertrains. Let’s jump right into the top 7 coolest Corvettes from Barrett-Jackson’s 2024 Palm Beach auction. Our number one choice has a cool, unexpected connection to Zora Arkus-Duntov.
#7
1996 C4 Grand Sport Coupe
Sold For: $55,000
Highlights/Why It’s Cool:
- 1,209 actual miles
- Power comes from the one-year-only 330hp 5.7-liter LT4 V8 engine paired with a 6-speed manual transmission.
- Grand Sport exclusive Admiral Blue with an Arctic White stripe up over the hood and rear deck, two red hash-mark stripes over the left front fender, and 17-inch black 5-spoke ZR1-style wheels.
- Only 1,000 Grand Sports were built in 1996, and this is one of two as configured, per the Official Grand Sport Registry Certificate of Authenticity.
- Window Sticker showing an original MSRP of $46,239.
- Extensive documentation included a Build Sheet, books, manuals, sales brochure, and NCRS Top Flight award.
Deeper Dive: Direct link to the Barrett-Jackson listing
#6
2022 C8.R Championship Edition Convertible
Sold For: $115,500
Highlights/Why It’s Cool:
- 2,001 actual miles
- Chevrolet released just 1,000 of these distinctively styled IMSA GTLM Championship Editions, and this example is #5 out of 1,000 C8.R Editions ever produced.
- This C8.R served primarily as a marketing display vehicle featured at events such as Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta in November 2021 and the Chevrolet Find New Roads Dealer Training Tour.
- Powered by a 6.2-liter V8 engine mated to an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission and finished in Hypersonic Gray.
- 3LT trim with Z51 Performance Package and a Corvette Racing-themed Graphics Package with yellow accents.
Deeper Dive: Direct link to the Barrett-Jackson listing
#5
1962 C1 Custom Convertible
Sold For: $238,700
Highlights/Why It’s Cool:
- Driven 300 test miles since completion
- GM Performance LS3 V8 engine, 4L65 automatic transmission, and Art Morrison GT Sport chassis.
- Built by classic Corvette specialists Loomis Automotive in Oklahoma City, OK (in business since 1900).
- A product of a 4-year build that started in 2017 and was finished in 2021, with a book of records.
- The car rolls on EVOD ACC Classic hubcap polished 18-inch wheels with spinner center caps engraved with 1962 cross flags. As documented, the wheels alone were $9,318.
- The power is transferred to the gray powder-coated 9-inch rear end housing with 31-spline Strange axles, Dana 1350 yoke and 3.70 gears.
Deeper Dive: Direct link to the Barrett-Jackson listing
#4
1966 C2 Custom Convertible
Sold For: $335,500
Highlights/Why It’s Cool:
- Completed in October 2022 by Jeff Hayes Customs
- Powered by a 540hp LS3 V8 engine mated to a 4L70E automatic transmission
- Rides on an Art Morrison sport chassis with 4-wheel Wilwood disc brakes
- Finished in Bright Red over a Saddle Brazilian leather interior and rolls on Schott wheels wrapped in custom red-line tires
Deeper Dive: Direct link to the Barrett-Jackson listing
#3
1968 C3 Custom Convertible
Sold For: $220,000
Highlights/Why It’s Cool:
- Powered by a full roller fuel-injected 383ci stroker BluePrint engine using a Holley Sniper unit, providing a dyno-proven 491hp and 455 ft/lbs of torque.
- A TREMEC TKX 5-speed manual transmission with a McLeod hydraulic clutch backs the powerplant.
- The exhaust system consists of Doug’s ceramic-coated headers and a 2.5-inch exhaust with twin Flowmaster mufflers.
- Braking comes from a Granatelli Motorsports Electric Vacuum System using Wilwood 6-piston calipers in front and 4-piston calipers in the rear with 14-inch rotors.
- The custom-designed hood is handmade from the original hood with a functional cold-air intake.
- Six cowhides of Tomato Red Dani leather were used to cover every piece of the interior, including the hardtop liner and the rear speaker enclosure.
- The wheels are custom-made Avant Garde AGL-67 models wrapped in Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperCar run-flat tires with electronic Bluetooth tire pressure monitors.
Deeper Dive: Direct link to the Barrett-Jackson listing
#2
1957 C1 Convertible 283/250 HP
Sold For: $126,500
Highlights/Why It’s Cool:
- This first-generation gem was the oldest and most original Corvette at Palm Beach.
- Powered by a 283/250hp V8 engine equipped with the original Rochester fuel-injection system and backed by the optional Powerglide automatic transmission.
- Underwent a professional rotisserie restoration.
- Finished in Venetian Red, this Corvette is an NCRS-certified show-winner and Top Flight award-winner.
- Fully documented
Deeper Dive: Direct link to the Barrett-Jackson listing
#1
1981 C3 Greenwood Daytona Turbo
Sold For: $247,500
Highlights/Why It’s Cool:
- 26,606 actual miles
- In addition to the Greenwood provenance, this C3 screams the 80s, and we love it!
- This authentic 1981 Chevrolet Corvette Greenwood Daytona Turbo, Daytona Turbo No. 2, has been previously displayed in the National Corvette Museum.
- Powered by a turbocharged 350ci V8 engine mated to an automatic transmission.
- Equipped with BBS racing wheels, as well as removable Kevlar cooling shields that cool the brakes.
- The custom body panels are all calculated for best driving performance.
- John Greenwood modified the front suspension and the 5-link rear suspension, which was an original John Greenwood design.
- The rear hatch was specially designed for the curvature of the body, and it opens.
- John Greenwood signed the dash, and Burt Greenwood and Zora Arkus-Duntov signed the extra air cleaner cover.
Deeper Dive: Direct link to the Barrett-Jackson listing
Well, do you have a favorite? Can you believe the hammer price on that 1981 Greenwood? Are there any you really don’t like? If you want to keep up to date with all the fresh Corvette news and maintain a pulse on the lifestyle and culture of this exciting, iconic brand, CorvSport has the fastest-growing Corvette community on our Facebook page, with over 173,000 followers (54,000 since January 2023!). Come join other hardcore enthusiasts and say hello, Douglas B.
*All images and information sourced from Barrett-Jackson.com
