Credit: Original article published by Barrett-Jackson.
The 2000s served as a decade of rapid advancement in technology. Flip phones turned into smartphones, most people ditched their heavy and bulky computer towers for laptops, the “Fast and Furious” movie franchise was at its peak and tuning culture started to become mainstream. It was the era of “Pimp My Ride,” and Facebook began to take over the world. As some cars from the 1980s and 1990s have become highly collectible, it stands to reason that vehicles produced in the 2000s are next.
During the 21st century, technology began to invade vehicles, making them easier to drive at high speeds with electronic suspension, self-leveling dampers, dual-clutch transmissions and advanced turbocharging. It wasn’t all about speed, though. Vehicles started to receive tire-pressure monitoring, a rear-view backup camera came into the picture and on-board GPS satellite navigation was on everyone’s wish list.
The energy crisis of 2003 made people question if taking their kids to school in a gas-guzzling Ford Excursion was the most efficient transportation on the planet. We started to learn what alternative fuel meant and what a hybrid was as we were introduced to cars like the Prius, the Smart car and the efficient turbo-charged Bentley Continental.
Despite the energy crisis, many Americans felt nothing was limited. Hummers were rampant on the road; a mere 10 miles to the gallon was often met with an indifferent shrug. The Cadillac Escalade became thetruck, and of course, it had to have spinners, as well as headrest screens. It was all about the size – bigger was better – until the Great Recession, which plagued America in 2008.
Many cars from the 2000s are transitioning from “common car” status to ones that earn recognition in the collector car world. Join us January 21-29 at the 2023 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction to see what trends take hold.
LOT #1313 – 2009 ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM DROPHEAD COUPE – NO RESERVE
Pictured above, this 2009 Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead coupe is powered by a 6.75-liter V12 engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. It is finished in English White over a Crème Light and black interior. The interior features teak decking; veneered steering wheels, spokes and instrument panels; satellite with high-definition radio; a camera system and navigation. This car rolls on 21-inch chromed alloy wheels with two umbrellas. 29,291 actual miles.
LOT #1288 – 2015 BENTLEY CONTINENTAL GTC S CONVERTIBLE – NO RESERVE
This special-ordered 2015 Bentley Continental GTC S convertible is finished in Silver Storm over a Linen interior. It is powered by a 4.0-liter 528hp V8 engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. This example features diamond-quilted seats with heat/ventilation/massage, dark burl veneers and navigation. 16,059 actual miles.
LOT #1047 – 2017 CHEVROLET CAMARO ZL1 HENNESSY CUSTOM EDITION “EXORCIST” – NO RESERVE
This custom 2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Hennessey Performance Engineering (HPE) press car is #1 of 100 limited-edition Camaros to bear the title of “The Exorcist,” a Hennessy Performance creation aimed squarely at the Dodge SRT Demon and its Hellcat stablemate.
This is the very first car Hennessey produced and was used for press events and marketing. As such, according to the HPE team, it was “overbuilt” compared to the 99 “Exorcist” cars that followed. It goes from 0-60 mph in 2.1 seconds, does the quarter-mile in 9.6 seconds and pinned the 200 mph speedometer with a top speed of 217 mph, with figures recorded and validated with Racelogic’s Video VBBOX GPS data-logging system. HPE performed its magic on the Camaro’s already mighty ZL1 engine, beginning with adding a high-flow supercharger and intercooling system, increased breathing through the use of a custom HPE camshaft, high-flow cylinder heads, Hennessey pulley upgrades, long-tube stainless-steel exhaust headers, high-flow catalytic converters and stainless-steel midpipes.
Together these improvements boosted the output to 1,000hp at 6,500 rpm and 883 ft/lbs of torque, massive figures that make the Hennessey “Exorcist” faster than the ZR1 Corvette and other supercars like the McLaren 720S, Porsche 911 GT2 RS, Ferrari 812 Superfast and Lamborghini Huracan. This engine is paired to a 6-speed manual transmission with a short-throw shifter.
LOT #1281– 2018 DODGE CHALLENGER SRT DEMON – NO RESERVE
This 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon is finished in Tor Red paint over a black interior with Demon logos on the Alcantara seats. This new Demon has never been dealer-prepped, and still retains the factory stickers and markings. It is powered by an 840hp 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI V8 engine backed by an 8-speed automatic transmission.
It is equipped with drag-mode suspension, line lock, after-run cooler, SRT power chiller, launch assist, transmission brake, torque reserve, all-speed traction control, 3-mode adaptive damping, 4-piston lightweight brakes and a premium Harmon Kardon sound system. This Demon is also equipped with the Comfort Group option, which includes a leather interior. The Demon Crate is included. 7 actual miles.
LOT #1319.1 – 2019 CHEVROLET CORVETTE ZR1 – NO RESERVE
This 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 is powered by a 6.2-liter LT-5 V8 engine with 755hp and 715 ft/lbs of torque. Outfitted with lots of carbon fiber, this car weighs in at just over 3,500 pounds. Only 5 percent of ZR1s came with a 7-speed manual transmission, and this is one of them.
It is equipped with the ZR1 Performance Package, competition sport seats, custom color-matching brake calipers and 3ZR Premium Equipment Package, and comes with the original Window Sticker. This Corvette is finished in Torch Red over a Kalahari leather interior with adjustable driver’s-side auto dimming, as well as heated and ventilated seats. The car currently has the carbon-fiber high wing on it, but also comes with the standard low wing as well. 4,648 actual miles.
LOT #1430 – 2000 BMW Z8 ROADSTER – NO RESERVE
This 2000 BMW Z8 roadster is finished in Titanium Silver Metallic over a black Nappa leather interior. The Z8 is powered by the 5.0-liter V8 engine of M5 fame, developing 394hp through a proper 6-speed manual gearbox. BMW USA imported just 317 of these convertibles in 2000. Equipment includes a color-matched removable hardtop, a black soft-top, 18-inch split-spoke wheels, xenon headlights, heated power seats, a 6-disc CD changer, Harmon Kardon sound system, navigation and air conditioning. Manufacturer’s literature, tools and other accessories, including a coffee table book, are included in the sale.
LOT #1432.1 – 2000 AM GENERAL HUMMER – NO RESERVE
This fully built 2000 AM General Hummer H1 rides on 22-inch Lonestar wheels wrapped in RBP mud-terrain tires. All exterior lights were changed out with LEDs, powder-coated front bumper, rear bumper and brush guard. It is equipped with new air conditioning ducting, tubing and heater core. The sound system features Kenwood TV with Apple CarPlay, as well as a custom Rockford Fosgate stereo with six 12-inch subwoofers, six 5.5-inch highs, four 8-inch mids with tweeters and three amps.
