Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2008 has come and gone. The boutique collector car auction in the Barrett-Jackson line up of events, the Palm Beach event had a number of notable Mustang sales this year. In fact, prices seemed to be up a little from Scottsdale just a few months ago where the slowing economy loomed large in the room.

The pair of Mustangs known as “KITT” which were used in the TV special “Knight Rider” were the most anticipated sales of the event. Lot 655 and 655.1 were sold together. Ford partnered with NBC to create a new KITT super-car, inspired by the new Shelby GT500KR, to star in the "Knight Rider" TV series which premiered on NBC on February 17, 2008. “Super KITT” and "Attack Mode KITT" were sold as a pair for a strong $300,000 with all proceeds to benefit Salute to Education.

That was not all. Ford’s Mark Fields was on hand to offer up some extra goodies to keep the bidding in motion. He first said that Ford would throw in an “allocation” for one of 1536 already sold out GT-500 KR’s for the 2009 model year. As the bidding continued, he pointed out that the car would be the last one made, #1536. Of course this was the “right to buy” the car for MSRP. But considering that the GT-500KR’s are going for 20-40,000 over sticker it is a deal.

"Super KITT” was built using a black Mustang GT with 4.6 Liter V8 that was upfitted with a Ford Racing Whipple Super-charger to make 500 horsepower. Additional performance elements include 6-piston Brembo Brakes, FRC500 Suspension Pak, High Flow Ford Racing X-Pipe and Ford Racing mufflers with stainless tips. The exterior sports a GT500KR fiberglass hood with a KITT heartbeat light, GT500 front and rear bumper covers, matte black LeMans stripes, matte finish rocker panels, GT500KR rear spoilers and 20" forged aluminum wheels.


"Attack Mode KITT” began as a black Mustang GT with 4.6 Liter V8, auto transmission, custom front valance/grille based on the GT500KR, carbon graphite chin spoiler, custom rear bumper cover, custom side faux air scoops, custom side skirt/rocker panel, two-tiered rear spoiler, custom rear window insert, custom turn signal trim, custom headlight trim brow and 20" forged black aluminum wheels. Performance features include Brembo Brakes, a FRC Suspension Pak and Ford Racing mufflers with stainless tips.


Jack Roush was not without the spotlight either. He auctioned off the last 2008 Roush P-51A Mustang, #151 (Lot 677) for $135,000. The proceeds also went to Salute to Education. Aside from the unique serial number, the auctioned ROUSH P-51A had several distinctive styling touches not found on the rest of the production vehicles. The ROUSHcharger™ and valve covers were painted a Spitfire green to match the hood stripe, the billet accessories for the fluid covers had green accents, and a blackout panel was added to the rear decklid. Additionally, boost and oil temperature gauges were installed to give the driver’s compartment even more of an airplane cockpit feeling.

Jack Roush was on-hand and announced that the high bidder would also win a flight with him on his personal P-51D Mustang, a vintage World War II plane. Mark Fields, Ford’s president, The Americas, further upped the ante by offering the winning bidder the opportunity to be the grand marshal during the Saturday, November 15 NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Part of the duties that weekend includes throwing the green flag over the 43-car field to start the final race of the 2008 season. Finally, just prior to the gavel being thrown, Roush threw his trademark straw hat into the ring, literally.

Some of the vintage Mustang surprises included a 1969 Mustang Mach1 428 SCJ that hit $110,000 (Lot 649). The black fastback with red graphics was clean and the winning combination of colors and options. Also tipping the scales was a Lime Gold 1968 Shelby GT-500 (Lot 190) which hit an astronomic $190,000. This is strong money for an automatic transmission, non KR Shelby.

Overall we would say that if these events where money is spent for fun is any indication of where our economy is headed, it must be seen as a positive sign. We almost saw the beginning of a collapse in collector car prices last January in Scottsdale. Here in Florida however, prices remained level if not strong for the top cars. There weren’t any of the million dollar headlines of years past, but we’ll take what we got.