Barrett-Jackson, The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions, holds its flagship Scottsdale Auction each year in January. Since its inception more than 50 years ago, the auction has attracted an impressive list of celebrities, who are lured by its reputation as the premier automotive luxury lifestyle event.
Not only has a wide range of stars from the big screen, music, sports, automotive worlds and beyond attended the Scottsdale Auction, many have utilized Barrett-Jackson’s high-profile platform to help them sell their treasured vehicles. From automotive legend Carroll Shelby to pop icon Justin Bieber, these celebrities have brought their unique and often personalized cars to the famous stage, blending an incredible allure of star power with unmatched automotive enthusiasm.
Explore the gallery below to discover the top-selling celebrity cars over the years at the Scottsdale Auctions.
SCOTTSDALE 2014 – SIMON COWELL’S 2008 BUGATTI VEYRON – $1,375,000
Above, television personality and record executive Simon Cowell’s pristine Bugatti, is one of only a handful of black-on-black Veyrons in America. With over 1,000hp at 6,000 rpm, the car’s 8.0-liter 16-cylinder engine with a 7-speed automated dual-clutch transmission made this car in the fastest street-legal car in America in 2008, with a top speed of 253.81 mph. SCOTTSDALE 2008 – CARROLL SHELBY’S 1969 SHELBY GT500 CONVERTIBLE – $742,500
This Shelby Cobra Mustang was owned by automotive legend Carroll Shelby since new. It received a 5-year concours rotisserie restoration by nationally known Shelby restorer Jim Cowles, which was completed in September 2007.
SCOTTSDALE 2023 – JOHN MAYER’S 2006 FORD GT HERITAGE EDITION – $594,000
Formerly owned by multiple-Grammy-award-winning singer/songwriter John Mayer, this is one of 343 Heritage Editions made for the entire production run. Powered by a supercharged 5.4-liter engine producing 550hp and 500 ft/lbs of torque mated to a 6-speed manual transaxle, this GT sale included a copy of the California title in Mayer’s name.
SCOTTSDALE 2016 – BURT REYNOLDS’ 1977 PONTIAC FIREBIRD TRANS AM “SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT” PROMO CAR – $550,000
Burt Reynolds himself came to the stage to present this 1977 Universal Studios Promo Bandit Trans Am from the movie “Smokey and the Bandit,” and signed this piece of movie history for the new owner. The recipient of a rotisserie restoration, the special “Bandit” came with a wealth of movie-related documentation and certificates.
SCOTTSDALE 2022 – BUSTER POSEY’S 1967 FORD MUSTANG ELEANOR TRIBUTE EDITION – $550,000
Built from the ground up by East Bay Muscle Cars of Brentwood, CA, this 1967 Ford Mustang was owned by MLB great Buster Posey and was painstakingly designed with modern technology in mind. This Pro-Touring muscle car is powered by an aluminum-block Jon Kaase Racing Engines Modern Boss Nine 572/828hp V8 engine with 780 ft/lbs of torque.
SCOTTSDALE 2022 – BURT REYNOLDS’ 1977 PONTIAC FIREBIRD TRANS AM SE – $495,000
This Starlight Black and gold 1977 Trans Am Special Edition was a promotional vehicle later gifted to Reynolds as a “thank you” for his pivotal role in the car’s massive success after its starring role the 1977 movie, “Smokey and the Bandit.” Reynolds signed the glovebox door, and the sale also included the Florida title, signed and autographed by the late actor.
SCOTTSDALE 2023 – CARROLL SHELBY’S 1968 FORD MUSTANG “BLACK HORNET” – $451,000
This car came out of Carroll Shelby’s personal collection and is recognized in the Shelby Worldwide Registry. Shelby was involved in the creation of this beautiful triple-black Mustang and, before it was transformed into the “Black Hornet,” he held it in his personnel possession for 40 years, rarely taking it out on the street. SCOTTSDALE 2017 – JUSTIN BIEBER’S 2011 FERRARI 458 ITALIA – $434,500
Pop music icon Justin Bieber was onstage to sell his special Ferrari, custom-built by West Coast Customs and featuring an exterior wrapped in Frozen Blue chrome. It is equipped with a wide-body kit from Liberty Walk and includes full custom fender flares, front splitter, side skirt splitter and rear wing. SCOTTSDALE 2022 – RUSTY WALLACE’S 1966 CHEVROLET NOVA SS CUSTOM COUPE – $401,500
This one-of-a-kind Nova SS was custom-designed and owned by NASCAR Hall-of-Famer Rusty Wallace and built by Ambition Road in Troutman, NC. On the outside, the car is cloaked in a luscious Champagne color, custom-formulated by Chip Foose. SCOTTSDALE 2022 – DAVID SPADE’S 1968 CHEVROLET CHEVELLE CUSTOM COUPE – $374,000
Built by Velocity Restorations, this Chevelle is offered from the personal collection of actor and comedian David Spade. Under the hood is an upgraded GM LS3 V8 engine displacing 6.2 liters and mated to a 4L70E automatic transmission.
Explore the gallery to discover the top-selling celebrity cars over the years at the Scottsdale Auctions.