The collector car market started 2026 strong. Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale auction in January sold all 1,911 no-reserve vehicles to 6,500 registered bidders, with sales reported at more than $191 million.
What sold
A 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing topped the auction at $2.53 million. The surprise was how wide the top ten was:
- Blue-chip classics like the 300SL Roadster and a 1963 Corvette Z06 “Big Tank” Split-Window
- Modern supercars like the McLaren Senna, McLaren Elva and Ford GT
- A 1966 Lincoln Continental custom convertible at $1.1 million
Barrett-Jackson described its buyers as engaged, informed and willing to buy across a wide range of eras and price points. The custom Lincoln is the clearest sign that a well-done build can hold its value next to factory originals.
Customs and charity
The 50-car Cup Parade of custom builds named a 1959 Chevy Impala Ultimate Best in Show and a 1958 Corvette People’s Choice. Nine charity cars raised $5.855 million, led by a one-of-one 2026 Corvette ZR1X that sold for $2.6 million.
Why it matters to builders
For decades, purists argued that only numbers-matching originals held value. Now the market keeps showing that quality is what counts. Clean engineering, great design and a build that’s actually finished sell, whether the car came out of a factory or a custom shop.
The Coddington name has stood for that idea since Boyd’s first billet wheels. Read more about Boyd’s legacy.
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