In its fifteenth year at the South Florida Fairgrounds, the 2017 West Palm Beach, Florida Barrett-Jackson collector car auction witnessed the sale of several interesting Chrysler products. Though the three-day Florida sale isn’t as intense as the six-day Scottsdale “mother ship” held each January, we rounded up this group of eleven machines for closer examination. In total, the vehicles presented here sold for $616,000 (excluding commissions and fees) and represents a glimpse of the strong current interest in Mopars among bidders.
With a VIN that begins with BH27N we know this Barracuda isn’t a ’Cuda, but the N-code 383 4-barrel was the hottest offering in non-’Cuda land. Only 36 drop-top buyers took it in 1970. The Shaker hood was also a no-go without BS-code (’Cuda) status but still looks great. This one sold for an amazing $101,200.This 1972 Demon 340 sold for $27,500 just four days before Dodge’s April 11 re-launch of the 840 horsepower Demon. We wonder if the renewed awareness will trigger a price hike on vintage Demons. This Canadian restoration slickly concealed fiberglass front fenders beneath its glass smooth Hemi Orange paint.It’s hard to imagine that the new supercharged 6.2 liter Demon Hemi makes nearly four times the 240 net ponies of this low-compression ’72 340.During pre-sale adjustment by the consignor, the disassembled Air Grabber scoop on this V-code ’71 Six Barrel GTX offers a rare glimpse of Chrysler’s off-center engine placement. It sold for $38,500.Very tricky, this 1967 Barracuda grew a Mopar Performance 426 Hemi crate engine where a D-code 273 2-barrel once lived. Backed by a three-speed 727 Torqueflite and 3.23 ratio 8.75-inch, the subtle Pro Tourer brought $53,900.Despite the wider-for-1967 engine bay, Hemis require some passenger-side shock tower surgery. Here it was made easier with a rack and pinion steering conversion. Dig the Mopar Performance lid-type aluminum cross ram.Perhaps the rarest Mopar on site, the VIN on this 1968 Belvedere post sedan reads RL21H. The RL tells us it’s a low-line, cheapo Belvedere sedan (RM would be a Road Runner). Typically Slant Six or two-barrel small-block V8 powered, the H-code High Performance 383 is the mind-blowing part. This is essentially a Road Runner without the hood, horn, and Warner Brothers glitz. We hope the buyer, who paid $15,400, understands how rare this machine is. Production couldn’t be more than a hundred or so. Currently packing a built 440 and 727, restoration would be proper, especially if it’s a factory four-speed (we couldn’t see the fender tag).Another Hemi swap, this 1969 GTX was born an L-code 440 four-barrel. With 14,385 hardtops built, there are enough left to satisfy restorers and customizers alike. It sold for $60,500.Automotive artistry takes many forms as the flaming skulls covering the GTX prove. We bet there’s a Crane-ium cam inside the Hemi (yuk yuk).The pristine Bostrom Thin Line seats in this 1974 CJ5 Renegade helped it attract $26,400. Identical seats also appear in Dodge A100 vans and all factory Race Hemi package cars. Hollywood even loves them. The 2000 action flick The Perfect Storm depicts George Clooney and Mark Wahlberg hanging onto a set as waves smash the bridge of the Andrea Gail fishing trawler.Forget about orange, yellow, and bright green, the classic lines of the “Coke bottle” Charger are best complimented by bronze or silver. This J-code 1968 Hemi Charger is one of a minority painted MM1 Turbine Bronze. The tasteful brute sold for $132,000.Not every Charger came with a console. Though front bucket seats were standard issue in Chargers, the center console was a $52.82 upcharge. Also priced at $52.82, the split front bench seat was another way to fly as seen aboard the bronze Hemi Charger.A perfect interpretation of the Pro Touring build style, this 1970 Challenger was built by XV Motorsports. Riding on a multi-link, coil-sprung suspension and with huge disc brakes and just the right stance, it drew $80,300.Packing 528 cubes and all-aluminum construction, the Indy-based Street Legend Hemi and Keisler 5-speed TKO stick shift oozed quality of construction and undoubtedly helped land the respectable dollar amount.1973 was a year of firsts and lasts for Dodge’s take on the semi-fastback Plymouth Duster. The Demon name gave way to the Dart Sport moniker and the 340 made its final appearance before being replaced by the 360 in 1974. This H-code 340 unit had a first-year 8.25-inch Salisbury type, C-clip rear axle and big-bolt (5 x 4.5 inch) hubs. It sold for $27,500.The detail that attracted us was the skillful Mopar logo added to the hood. The Dodge-specific scoop was also a neat touch.Big-bumper Challengers (1972-’74) generally sell for more when modified than restored. With exciting yet tasteful graphics and just the right Pro Touring stance, this factory born G-code 318 tagged $52,800, twice what it’d bring in stock form.Though a three-speed 727 Torqueflite backs it up, this Chally is strictly 21st century thanks to the Mopar Performance 5.7-liter Hemi crate engine. The engine sets the tone for the rest of the car and bidders responded to the brave engine choice. Dig the nitrous plumbing!
