Today’s automotive auctions are televised spectacles that show off amazing hardware selling for huge money. It is the stuff of dreams. However, if you pay attention. they feature everything from everyday cars to high-end rarities. Moreover, they are something beyond a TV show. If you can attend one, they are like a street fair for car lovers as the display of cars is supported by an array of experiences and vendors.
A leader in the auction space is Barrett-Jackson, which hosts events across the country, including its marquee event in Scottsdale, Arizona. It so happens that one is in driving distance of this scribe, and despite a hectic schedule of Mustang 60th Anniversary events, the temptation to see more pony cars — and drive a 2024 Mustang Dark Horse — was strong enough to get yours truly to the auction at the South Florida Fairgrounds in West Palm Beach, Florida, which was a rousing success, moving 614 vehicles and 348 pieces of automobilia to the tune of $46.6 million in just a few days.
“For over 20 years, Palm Beach has been a perfect destination to host our ultimate automotive lifestyle event,” said Craig Jackson, Chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson. “This year’s Palm Beach Auction was among our best ever, driven by one of the most diverse dockets in our history. We kicked off our three-day auction with our amazing Opening Night Party, which has become one of the most anticipated events of the year in South Florida. We continued to rev up the excitement on Thursday with the worldwide unveiling of the all-new 2024 Shelby Super Snake on our auction block. The passion and energy of our guests was tangible throughout the auction. We’re excited to build on our momentum as we head to our Scottsdale Fall Auction.”
Yes, the new Super Snake was among a standout crowd of Ford pony cars on the property, so we took on the challenge of selecting our 10 favorites from the Palm Beach auction…
10. 1970 Mustang Convertible
There were Mustangs of all generations up for auction in Palm Beach, and one of the classics that stood out was this 1970 Ford Mustang convertible. The Fire Engine Red ride is motivated by a rebuilt 302-cube small-block backed by a three-speed automatic transmission upgraded with a shift kit. One of just 1,171 examples configured with the power steering and air conditioning creature comforts, the 34,629-mile droptop hammered for $32,450 in South Florida.
9. 1989 Mustang LX Convertible
While it wasn’t as pristine as the ’89 LX hatch you will see ranked higher on this list, this period-correct example delivered on the nostalgia of the Fox Mustang’s golden era. With a fuel-injected, pushrod 5.0-liter under the hood, it creates that familiar rumble courtesy of a 2 1/2-inch exhaust with an H-pipe and Flowmaster mufflers. Its drivetrain is upgraded with a Hurst shifter, a King Cobra clutch, and 3.55 gears, while the chassis is bolstered by subframe connectors and a G-load brace. With a freshened air conditioning system and convertible top, it was ready to cruise and sold for only $11,000 in Palm Beach.
8. 1968 Mustang Eleanor Tribute Edition
Eleanors were all the rage in light of the Gone In 60 Seconds reboot years ago, and it would seem they still have staying power. This beautiful example is a 1968 Mustang Eleanor Tribute Edition that benefitted from a full rotisserie restoration. Powered by a fuel-injected 351W breathing through stack injection, it sports a four-speed manual transmission in the tunnel. As an official Tribute Edition, it wears movie-correct Eleanor mods, including the bodywork, side-exit dual exhaust, and “Go-Baby-Go” nitrous switch along with an NOS boost shifter knob. It included a companion movie poster signed by stars Nicolas Cage and Angelina Jolie, and it hammered for $198,000 at Barrett-Jackson.
7. 2008 Shelby GT500KR Glass Roof
Always a favorite of this scribe, the Shelby GT500 KRs from the S197 era arebeautiful cars that pack a supercharged, 5.4-liter punch. Thisexample sports an ultra-rare option that Ford offered as a factory option on 2009-2014 Mustangs. This is said to be the first KRs built in 2008, one of only 328 painted in Ebony Black, and the only one produced with a glass roof. Originally auctioned at Barrett-Jackson benefit JDRF back in 2008, this car was joined by none other than Carroll Shelby on the auction block back then, and he signed the dash. It was freed from climate-controlled storage to sell for a whopping $220,000 in Palm Beach.
6. 2025 Mustang 60th Anniversary
Hot on the heels after its debut at the Mustang 60 celebration at Charlotte Motor Speedway, the 60th Anniversary 2025 Mustang traveled south to the Barrett-Jackson auction in Palm Beach. Inspired by the original Mustangs, this seventh-generation stallion features several classic-inspired options, including unique wheels, stripes, a silvermesh grille, painted mirror caps, 60th-anniversary badges, a 60th-anniversary dash plaque, and more. This one wasn’t up for auction, but it attracted significant attention in the Ford display.
5. 2004 SVT Mustang Cobra
A legendary vehicle in Mustang lore, the Terminator set the stage forthe kind of performance we take for granted today. It was equipped with with a six-speed manual transmission and a supercharger, which enthusiasts had long desired. Only available for two model years, these machines are relatively rare, but those painted in this unique,color-changing Mystichrome hue are even more rare. This example is one of 515 coupes painted in that color in 2004, and this 34,777-mile example hammered for $41,800 in Palm Beach.
4. 1988 Mustang LX
If you love Fox Mustangs like this author, a pristine example stops you in your tracks. Such is the case with this 1989 Mustang LX. Still wearing its original black paint and powered by a 5.0-liter V8, itsports a T-5 five-speed manual transmission, and a 3.08 gear in the8.8-inch rearend. It has a gray interior and a nice list of options and only had 48,091 miles on the clock. This hatchback sold for a reasonable $14,850 at Barrett-Jackson.
3. 2024 Mustang Dark Horse
The 2024 Mustang Dark Horse flexed its advantage to climb up this list,as yours truly was invited to take one for a spin and ride along witha Ford Performance Racing School driver first thing on Friday morning. The car didn’t disappoint delivering high-winding 500 horsepower and confidence-inspiring grip. For those seeking naturally aspirated 5.0-liter muscle in a balanced performance package, the Dark Horse delivers it all in a modern package. There were three outrunning on the Ford Performance test track and one on display in the Ford booth at Barrett Jackson.
2. 2024 Shelby Super Snake
Though we missed the official reveal by a day, the Palm Beach auction provided the first opportunity to lay eyes on the 2024 Shelby Super Snake. Based on the latest Mustang GT, this version is offered in naturally aspirated and 830-horsepower supercharged versions. In person, it offers a striking aesthetic that is supported by impressive performance credentials. “We set out to make the 2024 Ford Mustang the most technically sophisticated Shelby Super Snake in history,” said Vince La Violette, Shelby American Vice President of Operations and SeniorDesigner. “Through careful engineering, we were able to add much more power while working to keep the weight more balanced with a new aluminum hood and carbon fiber fenders that also redirect the wind for ultimate cooling. Our lightweight magnesium alloy wheels cut pounds off the rotating mass so you can run deeper into and accelerate faster out of the corner. The featherweight carbon fiber tail wing keeps the retuned suspension firmly planted.” It will be available this summer in manual and automatic versions and carry a three-year,36,000-mile warranty.
1. Mustang GTD
With so many great Mustangs on display, it could have been a challenge to pick an overall favorite. However, there was a clear standout on the property — the Mustang GTD. Ford’s road racing-inspired, supercar-slaying mega Mustang also made the trip down from Charlotte to wow the crowds at Barrett Jackson. Powered by a supercharged 5.2-liter engine belting out more than 800 horsepower, it brings race-inspired handling and aerodynamics to the street with prices starting at $325,000. Ford announced the opening of the application process during the Mustang 60 celebration and it closed on May 20, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. EST. Seeing the car in person for the first time in Palm Beach made this scribe want to take a shot at one of these incredible Mustangs finances notwithstanding.
And such is the power of these auctions. They let you see those dream cars in person, even if you aren’t ready to place a bid. If you want to scope out your favorites in person, Barrett-Jackson returns to Westworld of Scottsdale in Scottsdale, Arizona, from October10-14.
