Spectators crowd the halls of the South Florida Fairgrounds Expo Center for the Barrett-Jackson Auction - Speedway Digest

For the past fourteen years, collector car enthusiasts of all walks of life have made a pilgrimage to the South Florida Fairgrounds each and every April to get up close and personal with some of the most amazing machines ever created. Cars trucks, motorcycles, and even boats representing the entire history of the automobile, and beyond, cross the block to be sold to the highest bidder. Celebrities and normal people drool over their dream cars, and some even are lucky enough to drive off in their new (to them) car at the end of the weekend.

Most of the cars are simple transactions; one person wants to get rid of the car, for whatever reason, and other people want to take it on as their personal project. This ideal draws many people, rich and not so rich, to consign their automobiles for auction. This year, two of the cars that crossed the block were part of the personal collection of William Shatner (yes, that William Shatner.) Shatner, best known as the original Captain James T. Kirk in the “Star Trek” TV and movie franchise, is selling a low-mileage 2002 Aston Martin DB7 Volante (Lot #89.1) and a 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton (Lot #89.2), both of which the star will autograph for the new owners during the auction.

“Our Palm Beach auction has been host to many fantastic celebrities over the past 14 years,” said Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson. “It’s an honor to add Mr. Shatner to our list of film and music legends that trust Barrett-Jackson with the auction of their vehicles. Having a car that belonged to the original ‘Captain Kirk’ will be a great story to tell for the new owners.”

Shatner has long been a fan of everything automotive. Shortly after being cast as Captain Kirk in “Star Trek” in 1966, Shatner splurged on a Corvette Stingray. He has driven across the country numerous times in trucks, cars and even motorcycles. Just last year he drove from Chicago to Los Angeles along Route 66 for charity.

“Mechanical things have always fascinated me,” said Shatner. “The sound of the exhaust, the ticking of the engine, the sleekness of the design have intrigued and entranced me. I look for cars like the ones I am selling: this great VW Phaeton – one of the most advanced cars in the world at its time – and this Aston Martin DB7, which is a jewel of design.

Other vehicles, however, represent rolling tax write-offs, and their sale price goes to a wide range of charities. The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions®, is continuing its support of national charities during its 14th Annual Palm Beach Auction from April 8-10, 2016, at the South Florida Fairgrounds. United States veterans’ organizations, youth programs and medical research will be among those who will benefit from the generosity of Barrett-Jackson bidders and donors.

“We’re committed to helping charitable organizations that are engaged in making a lasting impact in people’s lives,” said Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson. “We have helped raise over $88.4 million to date and we appreciate our corporate donors like GM ‒ which is donating two VIN #001 vehicles ‒ as well as Shell and Clarion. All of these companies share a charitable passion for helping those in need.”

General Motors is donating two impressive VIN #001 vehicles, including Lot #3003, a 2017 Chevrolet Corvette VIN #001 Grand Sport to benefit the Karmanos Cancer Institute. The winning bidder will have the rights to the first retail production in this line, which carries on the racing spirit of the original 1963 model. The winning bidder of Lot #3005 will receive the rights to the 2017 Chevrolet Camaro VIN #001 50th Anniversary Edition, with 100 percent of the hammer price going to the United Way of Southeastern Michigan.

U.S. veterans will also benefit from the kindness of generous donors. Donated by Shell, a 2014 Ford Raptor Hennessey VelociRaptor 600 (Lot #3000) delivers 623 supercharged horsepower and can accelerate from 0 to 60 in just 5.3 seconds. The sale of this VelociRaptor will help the Paralyzed Veterans of America.

A 1993 Dodge Viper Hennessey Venom 500 (Lot #3001) is equipped with an 8.0 V10 engine that cranks out 500 horsepower. The Viper will be sold to benefit the Lone Survivor Foundation. The exterior of the vehicle features airbrushed scenes depicting the U.S. Navy SEAL team from Operation Red Wings: Lt. Michael P. Murphy (KIA), Petty Officer Matthew Axelson (KIA), Petty Officer Second Class Danny Dietz (KIA), and Petty Officer Marcus Luttrell (Ret.). The SEAL team was ambushed on June 28, 2005 while on a mission to gather intelligence on Taliban leadership in Afghanistan and Luttrell was the only survivor. Luttrell and other wounded service members will be with the Viper as it crosses the block Friday, April 8, at 3:00 pm EDT.

Also crossing the block to aid United States veterans via the Patriot Foundation is a 2015 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Commando Tactical Edition (Lot #3002). An ultra-light vehicle prepared for rigorous fielding in austere conditions, this was the first such Jeep ever built and utilized in U.S. combat operations in over 25 years.

“We love giving these deserving charities the chance to reach a global audience during their vehicle auctions,” said Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson. “So many deserving people rely on these charities to help them live fuller, more purposeful lives. It’s truly heartwarming to welcome these people on stage as they share their stories of courage in the face of adversity.”

Clarion Builds, in conjunction with a group of hand-selected industry partners, excellently restored a 1974 BMW 2002 (Lot #3004) to benefit The Barrett-Jackson Cancer Research Fund at TGen in Memory of Russ and Brian Jackson. This vehicle features a full rotisserie restoration ‒ with every part of the vehicle stripped, reconditioned, repaired or replaced with NOS parts ‒ and was the recipient of the Petersen Museum’s 2015 Petersen Perfection Award.

Organizations founded to support the growth and development of America’s youth will also be a part of the auction action in Palm Beach. A Hummer H1 Custom HMCS MP (Lot #3006) features a custom-built rear kitchen, queen bed and other custom interior features. All funds from the sale will go to Camp Southern Ground, a passion project of country music artist Zac Brown, who headlined the 2016 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Opening Night Gala. In addition, a 1985 Ford Bronco II (Lot #3007) powered by a 450 horsepower engine and featured in Street Trucks magazine will be sold to benefit the Boy Scouts of America.

Whatever your motivation; be it to simply admire these fabulous machines up close, or to add them to your personal fleet, Barrett-Jackson has something for you. The auction continues now through Sunday, April 10.

For information on becoming a bidder, follow the link to http://www.Barrett-Jackson.com/Bidder/Home.

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Adam Sinclair

NHRA, IHRA, Motocross and other forms of motorsports Staff writer
About Me: Adam has been a race fan since the first time he went through the tunnel under the Daytona International Speedway almost 30 years ago. He has had the privilege of travelling to races all across the state of Florida (as well as one race in Ohio), watching nearly everything with a motor compete for fame and glory, as well as participating in various racing schools to get the feel of what racecar drivers go through every week. Adam has spent the last three years covering motorsports for Examiner.com., where he had the opportunity to see the racing world from behind the scenes as well as the grandstands. He invites everyone to follow him on Twitter, Facebook, and Google Plus, and looks forward to sharing his enthusiasm for all things racing with the readers of SpeedwayDigest.com.Be sure to tune in for his weekly sports talk program, Thursday Night Thunder, where he discusses the latest in motorsports news with drivers, crew members, and fans. The show takes place every Thursday at 8:00 pm EST on the Speedway Digest Radio Network.