As you read this, the Barrett-Jackson 2026 Scottsdale Auction is in full swing with Super Saturday, but don’t let the restomods and exotics distract you—the cars pictured here are just as interesting as anything you’ll see Saturday evening. Sure, it’s easy to be enamored by a V12-powered exotic, but can’t the same be said for a stylish Mercury Cyclone, Barracuda droptop that checks all the boxes, or unusual Edsel wagon?
Answer: it can. Take this 1965 Mercury Cyclone that’s leading this charge: Nineteen sixty-five was the second year of the Cyclone model, and its final year as a compact. Is it the sweetest compact of the era? While you duke it out, I’ll point out what shines on this one: 302 crate V8, Demon 4-barrel carburetor, polished high-rise intake, Mallory ignition, March serpentine pulley system and, for your convenience, three-speed automatic. The pièce de resistance is that gorgeous fiberglass scooped hood.
1969 Plymouth Barracuda Convertible
Immediately,it’s apparent that whoever spec’d out this wild fish had good taste because the black and red combination is stunning. Though equipped with the decidedly non-performance 318, this Barracuda droptop is also equipped with the goods: four-speed manual with console, “V7R” stripes, Rally instrument cluster, front disc brakes, and more. Only 1,442 Barracuda convertibles were built, of which 56 were U.S.-spec 318 four-speeds, so it’s decidedly rarer than an equivalent Mustang.
1989 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am
You can take your Grand National, I’ll take the Pontiac pony car with the same engine. All Turbo Trans Ams were official Indy Pace Car replicas, with car number 1,221 having spent its entire life in a climate-controlled garage. Note the T-tops and leather interior, which are two features that divide these Trans Ams among the 1,555 built. The V6 was slightly different than what Buick used because Pontiac engineers modified the cylinder heads with reshaped combustion chambers and relocated exhaust ports, improved the pistons, added an air-to-air intercooler, and cross-drilled the crankshaft. The odometer reads 2,188 miles.
1987 Chevrolet R10 Custom Pickup
You could say that lowering a pickup, adding staggered 20×8 (front) and 20×10 (rear) wheels, upholstering a custom leather interior, and refreshing the windshield, bumpers, lights, brakes, belt, driveshaft and window felts can reinvigorate an old pickup. But none of that catches the eye like the Desert Fox-inspired paint treatment with custom-laid stripes and color-matched bed liner.
1958 Edsel Roundup Station Wagon
The Edsel Bermuda seems to be an auction favorite, but when was the last time you’ve seen a two-door Edsel Ranger wagon? Only 963 were built. Based on the Ranger trim level, it was Edsel’s entry-level wagon, and the only two-door wagon within the brand. I’d say 303 horsepower is quite decent for a 361ci V8, plus it has that nifty drum speedo and the pushbuttons in the steering wheel hub. Other features include power steering, power brakes and Mark VI under-dash air-conditioning system. Neat!
