Barrett Jackson

McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

You know things are getting serious when McLaren rolls-out the ‘1’ suffix. The origin story is, of course, the very first road car McLaren ever built, the F1. Designed by visionary Formula 1 aerodynamicist and engineer Gordon Murray, it arrived in 1992 and rendered all other supercars obsolete. The tiny, lightweight F1 embraced carbon-fibre material technology, adopted a radical centre seat driving position with two passengers set back and either side and was powered by a 6.1-litre V12 engine from BMW that might as well have been passed down directly from the Gods. Game-changer? That doesn’t even come close to describing its impact, even if at the time sales didn’t come easy… The P1 was very different. Rather than a unique side project from the Formula 1 team, it was instead a statement piece for McLaren Automotive, a new road car division still in its infancy. It arrived in 2013 and was a wild-eyed showstopper. It traded the long-legged gait and supple suspension of the F1 for a weaponized hybrid system capable of delivering 903bhp and huge blue flames from its drainpipe exhaust. In Race mode, it lowered by 2-inches and its massive concave rear wing extended into the sky. The P1 was all about aerodynamic downforce, crazed acceleration and a snorting, angry soundtrack that mixed venomous twin-turbocharged V8 with the manic whirr of electric motors. Not so much a car as a force of nature. And now there’s this: The W1. It’s a true successor to the P1 with a similar brief and, on the face of it, it evolves rather than radically reinvents McLaren’s vision for the ultimate hypercar. This is not a criticism. How could it be when the result is this dramatic and has such staggering, other-worldly potential? The W1 has 1258bhp delivered to the rear wheels. It’s capable of 0-124 mph in 5.8-seconds, the quarter mile in 9.6-seconds at 167 mph and produces 2205lbs of downforce at 174 mph. The active aerodynamics – particularly a rear wing that extends way out beyond the rear of the car – are pure performance art and deliver massive aerodynamic efficiency. The result, aside from looking extremely cool, is that the W1 is McLaren’s fastest road car around a racetrack. Ever. Their benchmark circuit is the breath-taking Handling Track at the Nardo proving ground in southern Italy, where the W1 beats their previous benchmark, the flyweight McLaren Senna, by three seconds per lap. Or “a lifetime” as they call it in racing. Maybe two lifetimes! Core to the W1’s performance is the new ‘Aerocell’ carbon fibre tub. With integrated seats and a raised footwell to allow for inboard pushrod-operated front suspension – which in turn gives air a clean path to the huge underbody diffuser – it’s light, stiff, space efficient and has been instrumental in McLaren realising a full ground-effect concept. Just like last year’s F1 cars, which were the fastest ever made. There is also an active front wing and the aforementioned complex rear wing dubbed ‘Active Long Tail’. All of which is very admirable. But the ‘anhedral’ or gullwing doors and the fantastically shirnked-wrapped feel to the minimalist, highly-focussed interior are a pretty good side effect. The W1 feels special. Those fixed seats are perhaps a shade more upright than expected, and the driving position is less obviously racecar than, for example, the Aston Martin Valhalla or Ferrari F80. However, once you’ve adjusted the pedals (they move on a slider) and the delicate, slim-rimmed and alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, there’s an overwhelming sense of purpose. The cabin is so tightly tailored and imparts a sense of lightness and agility before you so much as start the all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which makes 916bhp all on its own and revs to 9200rpm. Reach up to a roof-mounted control panel to find the starter button. Maybe this fighter plane trope is a little corny, but somehow you feel thrilled rather than manipulated. The W1 has a sense of humour as well as all that motorsport-derived sophistication. There’s a short delay, but when the engine does fire it’s instant – as the high-powered hybrid system negates the need for an old-school starter motor. A sharp flare of revs tells you that this engine is hyper-responsive and angry. On some deep level your brain and body have been sent all the signals required to prepare for something new and intense. Ahead of us, an empty Mugello racetrack, so press and hold the blue button next to the red starter to select Race mode. The centre display graphic shows the W1’s transformation in real time as it lowers by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear whilst simultaneously undocking all that active aero goodness. Race mode is not road legal and is geo-locked. You can show your friends and neighbours the aero dance, but it won’t allow you to select a gear to actually drive unless you’re at a circuit. Incidentally, the rocker switches either side of the display binnacle allow further options now: Toggle up the Handling control on the left for Race+ (for F1-spec super smooth tracks) or stick to Race for gnarlier ones. On the right toggle select ‘GP’ for sustained performance over a stint or ‘Sprint’ to unleash all 1258bhp for a time attack. There’s also a DRS and Boost function on the steering wheel. But I guarantee you won’t have the mental capacity to use them… Exit the pitlane, pin the throttle and W1 takes maybe a millisecond or two to gather its might (the gearing stretches to around 60mph in first, nearly 100mph in second, primarily to aid traction), but then lunges at the first turn with incredible ferocity. It instantly feels light, almost like inertia is no longer a thing. McLaren really does prize lightweight engineering, and at 3084lbs (dry) the W1 has a 278lbs advantage over the Ferrari F80. Plus, Ferrari uses figures for cars fitted with every single carbon fibre option. In reality, the gap is probably wider still. The impression of agility and stunning control continues as the track is unravelled at startling pace. The electric motor mounted to the side of the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is good for 342bhp and 324lb ft and it boosts any low rev lethargy the new flat-plane crank V8 might have (spoiler alert: It doesn’t appear to have any), so the W1 just feels massively, almost impossibly powerful at any revs. Even so, there’s real reward for wringing it out to 9200rpm and the power curve feels superheated but organic, too. In Race mode the steering – still hydraulically powered – has less assistance and it is noticeably heavier than other McLarens. However, that resistance is welcome as it gives you something to push against and imparts so much information about the front grip level. New Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres with a bigger front footprint than P1 or Senna really help. The front-end feels incredibly secure and the rear-axle follows with perfectly-aligned precision. The whole car feels super-stiff, completely locked into the surface and inspires confidence, but there’s an inherent agility and adjustability that means you’re quickly confident to push at its limits and really impose yourself on the chassis. It’s such a complex car but the driving experience is intuitive, and the driver feels a key contributor rather than just amazed (or terrified) observer, holding on for dear life. Every dynamic ingredient really is shockingly effective and yet has a subtlety and lightness of touch. From that delicious steering to the incredible brakes, the W1 just feels so mission-focussed, so hooked-up. Only the new 8-speed gearbox is a slightly disappointment. It’s fast and punchy, but after the scintillating energy of the Ferrari F80 ’box it feels competent rather than inspired. Other quibbles – it’s okay to quibble when the starting price is $2.1-million before tax and destination charge. Well, that new twin-turbocharged V8 sounds tightly wound and aggressive but if you have a P1 tucked in the garage you’ll miss the snorting, Darth Vader-style soundscape and all the drama that goes with it. Ferrari does this better, too. The F80 sounds deathly dull from the outside but is a riot of turbochargers, electric motors and all sorts of mechanical fury within the cockpit. Even so, the W1 is wildly entertaining on track, and the rear-drive configuration makes it more of a challenge and more satisfying than the F80 when chasing lap times or just sliding around for fun. In the Ferrari, you must second-guess what the front e-axle might do, whereas in the W1 it’s all on you. There are plenty of tools to help, including the ingenious Variable Drift Control, but somehow the W1 is more heroic. Or at least fools you into feeling more heroic – which is surely the point! On the road? Nimble, loaded with feel and sublime response. The ride is noticeably tougher than, say, a 750S but the control is ramped-up too, and with a bit more speed the whole car finds a delicious rhythm. Sport mode for the drivetrain brings some nice turbo whooshes and chirps, but the noise remains high-quality rather than extreme excitement. It is perhaps the one area the W1 feels just a little too tame. Of course, there’s nothing tame about the raw performance… which is genuinely shocking and literally hurts your neck muscles after a few hours. How McLaren has given the W1 such immense traction through just two driven wheels is beyond me. So, is it worthy of that ‘1’? I think so. Perhaps we won’t be talking about $25-million auction results for the W1 in 30 years from now, as we are for the F1. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the amazing presence and jaw-dropping star quality of the simply gorgeous P1. But it is such an intense experience and the way it marries stunning track performance with delicate poise and entertainment on normal roads is something akin to magic. Maybe not ‘the one’ but definitely a searing, outrageous addition to McLaren’s fiercest family line. Just 399 W1’s will be built and they’re all sold. I’m not surprised at all. View All McLarens For Sale Images: McLaren Automotive

By Andrew Nabors – April 29, 2020

Barrett-Jackson May Auction Docket is Live

If you have been waiting to find the next member of your collection, Barrett-Jackson just uploaded the docket for next month's online-only auction. Bidder registration is open now, and the most prestigious cars will hammer on May 16th. With hundreds of lots to choose from, here are a few you might like: But for many, the star of the show will be from Richard Childress. Normally he attends the auction to buy back cars he let get away, or just to add to his immense collection. This is the first time he will offer the centerpiece of his collection. This is one of the final cars built for Dale Earnhardt Sr. All proceeds will go to COVID-19 relief, so it will bring major money. Click the button below to view the lineup for next month and stay with us for all your Barrett-Jackson updates. Learn More

By Andrew Nabors – January 20, 2020

First 2020 Corvette Sold for $3 Million at Barrett-Jackson

Ever since Craig Jackon began allowing charity cars, his team has raised a whopping 126 Million dollars for worthy causes. This year was no exception, as 7.625 Million dollars was donated. By far, the most significant car was the first 2020 Corvette that sold for $3 Million at Barrett-Jackson. GM's CEO Mary Barra was on stage singing the praises of the Corvette team, and enticing a certain NASCAR legend to add it to his collection. Inevitably, Rick Hendrick won the rights for the first production car, with all proceeds going to the Detroit Children's Fund. The red & black example on the block is one of the final prototypes, as he will be allowed to build VIN 001 to order. Other notable charity cars include the 2021 Lexus LC 500 Convertible Inspiration Series for $2 Million and the John Force COPO Camaro for $600,000. Gateway Bronco's Ryan Blaney build raised $650,000 for charity, and Craig Jackson purchased a 1965 Superformace MKII for $250,000. Thank you to all who support these great causes, and stay with us for all your Barrett-Jackson news. Order Your New Corvette Here

By Andrew Nabors – May 20, 2019

Last C7 Corvette Heading to Barrett-Jackson Northeast

All good things must come to an end, even the 7th Generation Chevrolet Corvette. It is not only the last of its series, it could be the last Corvette with a traditional layout. Because the C8 will be a mid-engine design, the last C7 Corvette is heading to Barrett-Jackson Northeast. The 4th Annual Barrett-Jackson Northeast Auction will take place June 26 to 29th at the Mohegan Sun Resort in Connecticut. Crossing the block on Saturday night will be a Black Z06 Coupe with the 3LZ package. Our friend Craig Jackson said: “Where one chapter ends, another begins. The sale of this final production C7 Corvette will be the opportunity of a lifetime to own a piece of automotive history. While it marks the end of an era, it also ushers in the beginning of the next generation of America’s favorite sports car.” All proceeds are going to the " Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation". It is named to honor a NYC Firefighter who lost his life on 9/11. Their aim is to support First Responders and injured warriors, so kudos to GM for supporting such a noble cause. We will be there next month, so tell us what you think it will sell for, and who might buy it in the comments below. Before the Corvette plant starts on the new generation they are building a few extra cars. Click the link below to find a Stingray near you and stay with us for all your Corvette news. Find Your Corvette Here

By Edward Jones – April 05, 2017

Bizarre 1970's Foose Concept Car Headed to Auction

In 1972, Sam Foose, Chip Foose's father, designed a one-off car built around a DeTomaso Pantera. This car was inspired by the 1968 Alfa Romeo Carabo concept car that was, and it shows in this car's design. It has a wedge shape that was popular back in the 70's and has one of the most bizarre rear ends you'll ever see on a car. What's also interesting about the car is that the Pantera's engine was swapped with a 351 Ford Cleveland engine that's connected to a five-speed manual transmission.Chip Foose started looking for the car after his father had sold it, but came up dry. That is, until it was listed by Gas Monkey Garage. Wanting to bring his father's creation back into the family, Chip traded his vintage Cadillac for the car. The concept car remained in his ownership for years to come.Now, the car is looking for a new owner. At the 2017 Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach auction, the Sam Foose Pantera will go across the block. It remains in great shape, albeit with some minor imperfection. However, the car still runs and drives great. For more information, be sure to click the button below.Learn More

By Andrew Nabors – January 26, 2017

Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale 2017 Recap

Our first show of 2017 was the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona. Two weeks of sun and fun were interrupted by a "brief downpour", but it was merely a drizzle in the eyes of this Native Floridian. For 46 years, Craig Jackson and his team have turned the equestrian grounds of Westworld into a Mecca for all things motorized, which means we are obligated to be there.But we couldn't make the trip without the support of our clients and fans, so here is a roundup of the experience.First in was a display of rolling artwork from Vossen Wheels. Darren Young from Wheel Specialists was on hand to explain what goes into forging a monoblock wheel, and how they outperform your factory equipment. Choosing the inconspicuous route, they arrived with a wide body Mercedes-McLaren SLR along with a Ferrari 458 Italia. A big thanks to Sy Salari at Creative Bespoke for allowing us to showcase them.Front and center was a black Ferrari Enzo from Exotic Eurocars. The black on black example was one of four produced, and it was daily driven in the past, showing 13,088 miles on the odometer. With no visible signs of wear inside or out, the asking price of $3.4 million is the definition of a solid investment.Behind the black beast was Airstream's latest Interstate touring coach. The Tommy Bahama Edition is inspired by the Caribbean with dark wood paneling and woven flooring. Powered by a clean burning Mercedes turbo diesel, it has such amenities as a queen size memory foam bed, black chrome fixtures and three TVs. Richard Rawlings and Dennis Collins stopped by to speak with our publisher, and the Airstream made for a relaxing office. Because our display was both Fast N Loud, the Gas Monkeys took time to sign autographs and the obligatory celebrity selfie.Next to the Airstream was a Baja Challenge Car from Wide Open Baja. The rugged design was built to handle 1,000 miles of Mexico's toughest terrain. Powered by Subaru's legendary 2.5 liter flat four, the suspension is made to go airborne. With locations in Cabo and Ensenada, the all-inclusive vacation is a life changing experience.Hailing from the deep south, Confederate Motors arrived on a new P51 Combat Fighter. Limited to 61 examples, the billet bruiser features carbon fiber wheels and a 200 hp V-twin. Acrylic windows on the fuel tank and above the intakes captured the imaginations of those who have never considered owning a motorcycle. Once they realized this work of art is capable of 165 mph, the relative bargain of $125,000 speaks for itself.We first heard rumors of the Black Manta project at the Orange County Auto Show, and Gi Automotive did not disappoint. What began as a 2013 Corvette ZR1 has emerged as a carbon fiber masterpiece. Built as a rolling advertisement of their abilities, Amber Blonigan and Angie King have bestowed this super villain with AccuAir, Recaro seats, and a ton of downforce. If you thought airbags and Corvettes should never be associated, you would be incorrect. Being able to control the height along with an aggressive stance were making many spectators wonder why Chevrolet doesn't offer something like this from the factory. #becauseican! Come check out the Manta in the Dupont Registry booth at Barrett Jackson Action Scottsdale! #theblackmanta #dupontregistry #barrettjackson #carpornracing #giautomotivegroup A photo posted by GI Automotive (@giautomotivegroup) on Jan 19, 2017 at 1:37pm PST If you ever need to be gone in sixty seconds, your only choice should be Eleanor. Built by Fusion Luxury Motors in Chatsworth, CA, this movie correct replica was built from the same molds as the film star. Sporting modern fuel injection in a vintage style, the Roush 427 with open headers could be heard from across the auction block. Not limited to this sole example, Fusion can build your own Eleanor after the 8 month waiting list is overcome. If you find yourself in the LA area, their dealership will blow your mind. From Boss 429 Mustangs to numbers matching Mopars, they have something for everyone. Make sure to come see Eleanor in the @barrett_jackson booth at @barrett_jackson Scottsdale Auctions! #FusionMotorCompany #gobabygo #muatang #eleanor #dupontregistry #barrettjackaon A photo posted by Fusion Motor Company (@fusionmotorcompany) on Jan 19, 2017 at 2:13pm PST Ronald McDonald House is a refuge for families of ill children, and each year their raffles help to bring comfort to those in need. Everyone loves a bright red Corvette Z06, and the drawing will be held in December. Get your tickets now, or see them at our booth in Palm Beach.It's hard to walk through our booth without spending money, so Z-Clip was on hand with the latest in carbon fiber currency holders. From LeMans to Daytona, each model is named after a famous race track. The perfect gift, they can be customized with your corporate logo or diamond engraved. Check out all of our clips at our booth at @barrett_jackson Scottsdale #ZClip #MoneyClip #Luxury #CarbonFiber #BarrettJackson A photo posted by ZClip (@zclip) on Jan 22, 2017 at 4:05pm PST If you haven't seen the latest in automotive accessories, Tire Stickers will transform your rubber. Using a proprietary process, they are able to offer bespoke sidewalls. Nothing is off limits, including white wall overlays. From temporary vinyl decals to permanently raised rubber lettering, your tires are a blank canvas in need of a finishing touch. Come check us out at the @dupontregistry booth at @barrett_jackson in #scottsdale going on now! Plenty of vehicles featuring our products including the @creativebespoke #mercedes on @forgiato and @michelin tires #forgiato #michelin #tires #tirestickers #tirelettering #dupontregistry #barrettjackson #carthrottle #tyrestickers #carporn A photo posted by TIRE STICKERS.COM (@tirestickers) on Jan 20, 2017 at 8:37am PST Thank you to everyone who helped us start 2017 with a great display. Something special is in the works for Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach, so stay with us for complete coverage of the event.

By Edward Jones – January 23, 2017

Steven Tyler's Hennessey Venom GT Sells for Charity

Now that Hennessey Venom GT production has ended, the car will become harder to find unfortunately. Fortunately, for one bidder, a Venom GT went up for auction at the 2017 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale event. And, what's more, this was actually Steven Tyler's personal car. Yes, THE Steven Tyler from Aerosmith.(Update (Sold): Justin Bieber's Liberty Walk Ferrari 458 Up for Auction)The car sold for $800,000 when it crossed the block at roughly 9 P.M. EST on Friday. Included in the lot was a week's stay at Steven Tyler's house in Maui and a guitar signed by the entire band (which was donated by none other than duPont REGISTRY).The best part about this story is that 100% of the hammer price will benefit Janie's Fund, "a philanthropic initiative created by Tyler in partnership with Youth Villages to bring hope and healing for many of our country's most vulnerable girls who have suffered the trauma of abuse and neglect," according to the vehicle's listing on Barrett-Jackson.com.All Hennessey Cars For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – February 03, 2016

Barrett-Jackson Auction Raises $3.4 million for Charity

With just 11 charity vehicles for auction, Barrett-Jackson raised a total of $3,406,000 during their 45th Anniversary auction held in Scottsdale, Arizona last week. The money raised by the sales of these 11 autos will be donated to local and national charities alike. In total, Barrett-Jackson has raised $88 million to donate to charities around the country.In a press release, Barrett-Jackson's chairman and CEO, Craig Jackson, states,“More than forty-five years ago, the first Barrett-Jackson event was held to raise money for the Scottsdale library. I’m proud that spirit of charity continues to be such a strong part of our auctions today. Every year, the generosity of our consignors, sponsors, celebrities and bidders grows stronger. This year we were especially excited to be a part of a new VIN #001 charity sale record when the Acura NSX supercar sold for $1.2 million.”American Honda executive vice president John Mendel took his place on the block when the bidding for the first Acura NSX began.Stars and famed drivers came out in droves to encourage the bidding at the 45th Anniversary auction, including Jay Leno, who not only joined Barrett-Jackson's management team in the selling of his exclusive 200 Harley-Davidson F-150, but the host of Jay Leno's Garage also promised to hand-deliver the Harley to the winning bidder on an episode of his show.Check out some photos from the event in the gallery below.Exotic Cars For Sale

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