VINTAGE: Salon Collection Impresses, Inspires At Barrett-Jackson

The remarkable collection of top-drawer collector cars provides the Scottsdale crowd with an evocative look at the storied past.

David Harris | Posted January 17, 2013 Scottsdale, AZ

The 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing coupe that was owned by the late film star Clark Gable is drawing lots of attention. It's displayed with a manikin replica Clark Gable. (Photo: David Harris)

Last year, Barrett-Jackson rolled out a grouping of rare, immaculate collector cars known as the Salon Collection. These Pebble Beach-quality vehicles are the best of the best, spanning generations, automotive categories and capturing the essence of what many fine motoring purveyors often seek when searching for their next addition.

The latest stable of Salon beauties are scheduled to roll across the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale block live on SPEED during primetime Saturday, Jan. 19 around 5 p.m. ET, and with it, the attention of the collector-car community everywhere.

While big money and long-time collectors are here to take advantage of an unusual buying opportunity, numerous automotive enthusiasts from all walks of life have also shown up in Scottsdale to grab a unique glimpse as well.

With its extravagant Saoutchik custom body, the 1949 Delahaye Type 175 Coupe De Ville is a real eye catcher. (Photo: Bob Golfen)

One of the most popular cars is Hollywood idol Clark Gable’s pristine 1955 Gullwing Mercedes 300SL (Lot #5001), prominently located at the front of the main display concourse. Countless onlookers, young and old, have flocked to its gleam and distinctive design, grabbing their own bit of automotive royalty.

“The car is beautiful – very, very beautiful,” said 20-year-old Justin Klemer of Denver. “It makes me want to own one.”

But that’s just the beginning of what this gathering has to offer.

“I’ve been here many times and haven’t seen the quality of car like this Bugatti, the Rolls-Royce and Clark Gable’s Mercedes over there in many, many years,” said Scottsdale resident John Thomas. “This is one of the best lineups I’ve seen at Barrett-Jackson in a long time. I’m very impressed with all of these cars.

“Like the experimental EXP-500,” Thomas added, referring to the 1968 “Green Hornet” Shelby Mustang dual prototype (Lot #5022). “I was talking to somebody and he said that it was probably a million-and-a-half dollar car,”

His partner Sophia Chen, of Pasadena, Calif., particularly enjoyed the 1927 Bugatti Type 38, four-seat open tourer (Lot #5013). A vehicle, unlike some of its brethren back in the day, combined style with performance, as its eight-cylinder engine, widened mounts, updated gearbox and hefty brakes came out of Bugatti’s Grand Prix Type 35A.

The 1927 Bugatti Type 38 four-seat open tourer was called elegant, 'sweepy' and thought-provoking. (Photo: Bob Golfen)

“The Bugatti is very elegant, ‘sweepy,’ and I like the design,” Chen said. “It makes you think and appreciate.”

Much like today, vehicles represent a certain level of mystique that many seek to obtain, and according to those here in attendance, it’s a feeling that’s been around for generations.

“I think it’s the history as well, knowing that these cars were built at the time with the best technology,” Thomas said. “For the time, the entrepreneurs, oil barons and people that could afford them – like Hollywood people – in my estimation, there were less people in that era whom would have been able to afford cars like this. There are probably more millionaires and billionaires nowadays than there were back then. It was even more exclusive back then to have this type of car.”

For a young Mr. Klemer, who photographed and peered at the Mercedes from almost every angle, his dreams are similar, “These are things I enjoy, and these are the ones that I’d like to own one day. These cars are inspirational, encouraging me to work hard so I can own one someday.”

Not to be left aside, Larry Minnitti of Tacoma, Washington, was one of the many struck by the wildly brash 1949 Delahaye Type 175 Saoutchik Coupe De Ville. A car covered in ornamentation, with 14-karat gold plating, push-button doors and OS gauging that was somewhat unique to the era, prompting those in attendance to glance in their own rear-view mirror.

“They don’t build cars like this anymore, clearly ahead of their time,” Minnitti said. “The shapes, the lines and the interior – it’s simply beautiful.”

“I’m telling you, this is gorgeous,’ said the agreeing voice of Beverly Inman of Glendora, Calif. “This reminds me of back when I was a kid.”

As anticipated, these exclusive vehicles are speaking to the people here in Scottsdale on many different levels. Happiness, nostalgia, aspiration, all emotions that have always drawn enthusiasts to Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale no matter what’s going on around them.

Even if it includes… well… some friskiness.

“It looks like a real-nice bedroom set,” said Minnitti, pointing to the insides of the Delahaye. “I mean, you could get in the mood in that.”