As usual, Barrett-Jackson has put together an impressive docket with many desirable collector vehicles and automobilia for its 12th annual Las Vegas auction held at Mandalay Bay on October 3-5. 

Among the cars offered, these three beautiful Fords caught my eye: 

2005 Ford Mustang Saleen Extreme Prototype #001

Finished in Speedlab Yellow over a Dark Charcoal leather interior with black graphics, this 2005 Saleen Extreme S281 Prototype comes fully documented with 21,727 actual miles, most of which occurred during factory testing. 

According to the docket, Saleen did not release the Extreme model to the general public for purchase until 2006. This particular car served as the promotional Extreme model seen within factory promotional literature. 

In the Saleen production logs, there were three prototypes set for production in 2005: #0001E, #0002E and #0003E. However, the #0003E car was never actually produced. The #0002E car, finished in Sonic Blue, was purchased by an employee and totaled a short time later while driving in the rain. 

Consequently, the #0001E car offered is not only the first 2005 Extreme prototype but also the only remaining prototype in existence for the ’05-09 lineage. Many of its components, like the quarter-window deletes and carbon diffusers, are hand-built and first of their kind.

At the heart of this prototype is a 4.6-liter powerplant that makes use of a forged steel Saleen crankshaft, forged steel connecting rods, Saleen patented forged aluminum pistons and unique Saleen aluminum cylinder heads, valvesprings, and the latest performance camshafts from Saleen. 

According to Saleen, the 281 cubic inch V8 also features a Saleen-designed Series VI integrated twin-screw supercharger with two-stage air-to-water intercooler. The Saleen design integrates the intake manifold, blower housing/assembly, and intercooler into one compact unit that sits in the valley between the heads of the engine, which allows the use of a much wider intake manifold.

 The car was authenticated in 2018 at the Saleen World Car Show in Corona, California. While in attendance, the car won Best of Show and had its dash and the engine compartment signed by Steve Saleen. Molly Saleen also signed her picture endorsing the 05-0001E at the show. 

All documented signatures and a video of Steve Saleen signing 05-0001E, in addition to a signed factory authentication letter and a factory brochure with 05-0001E featured, are included with the car. 

1970 Ford Thunderbird Custom 

Usually, when you see a Ford Thunderbird, the personal luxury car has been restored to look like it did when it was new. It’s uncommon to see them heavily modified, but this 1970 Ford Thunderbird built by Eddie Potestio of Eddie’s Rods and Custom, looks damn good. 

Debuted at the 2015 SEMA Show, the “Thunderstruck” ‘70 Thunderbird was based on a rendering by Steve Stanford. The design theme is reminiscent of the old Ford Car Caravan concept cars of the ’60s and combines a ’67 Thunderbird and a ’70 Thunderbird fastback. 

According to the Barrett-Jackson docket, the car was lengthened approximately 12 inches and modified with the front end of a 1967 Thunderbird and its flip-down headlights. 

Power comes from a recently rebuilt Ford 429ci V8 big-block engine mated to an automatic transmission. It features Painless Performance wiring, an ididit steering column, and an E-Stopp emergency brake. 

The builders opted to use the interior from 1967 as well and wrapped it in Brilliant White leather with Android-operated start and switches as well as fitted it with Vintage Air A/C, Classic Instruments gauges, and a Con2r steering wheel. 

This car rides on adjustable-height air suspension controlled from the dashboard and a set of Wheel Smith wire wheels. 

The look is complete with PPG custom-mixed paint applied by Alternative Automotive Design.  

2017 Ford GT ‘66 Heritage Edition 

Ford released a limited-edition 1966 Heritage-themed Ford GT in 2017 that was built to honor the GT40 Mark II driven to victory by Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon at Le Mans in 1966.  

This 2017 Ford GT features a Shadow Black exterior with exposed carbon-fiber and silver stripes with white “No. 2” hood and door graphics that identify the limited edition. 

The car sits on 20-inch forged aluminum wheels in a gold satin clearcoat with black lug nuts, reminiscent of those on the original racer. Stopping power is provided by Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes, and the car has a push-button activated front lift system.  

Powered comes from a 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost turbocharged engine with over 600 hp, mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. 

The interior of the Ford GT includes carbon-fiber seats wrapped in Ebony leather while the head restraints and leather-wrapped F1-inspired steering wheel show an embossed Ford GT logo. 

Other highlights include Ebony leather-wrapped instrument panel, pillars, and headliner with gold appliqués on the instrument panel, seats, and shift paddles. The seatbelts are Ford Performance blue. 

This Ford GT has less than 20 actual miles on the odometer and has a unique serialized identification plate.

For more information about the event or cars offered, see Barrett-Jackson.