At Barrett-Jackson: vehicles we’d love to get in our showroom

By Stefano Serpa

Vice President, Serpa Automotive Group and General Manager, Serpa Automotive Boutique

Ask just about any vehicle aficionado what they’d most like to see in the auto world and the chances are an answer would be “The Barrett-Jackson Car Collector Auction,” which this year had sales of more than $116 million. For me, it’s been on my ‘bucket list’ ever since I can remember so my father and I packed our bags and headed to last week’s auction in Scottsdale, Arizona. I can truly say “My expectations were far exceeded. The auction was like no other and truly an experience I will never forget.”

We saw the beautiful Lamborghini-designed Dodge Viper, which in its final years, was equipped with a legendary 600 hp engine producing 560 lb⋅ft of torque. There was even a Viper-powered truck! We hope the Boutique will someday obtain a Viper.

I was so proud that there was such a remarkable presence for the Dodge brand, highlighting such amazing vehicles including the Durango 392 SRT, the all new Demon, Hellcat and wonderful vintage 1942 Dodge Power Wagon. (See photos).

As the new fire-breathing 2018 Dodge Durango SRT proves, a family vehicle doesn’t have to sacrifice the basic human desire for excitement behind the wheel. Anchored by a 6.4-liter Hemi V-8 churning out 475 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, the Durango also has an eight-speed automatic and rear-biased all-wheel-drive system.

The 2018 Dodge Demon (Lot #1317) set a world record at auction (sale prices are private). This limited-production Demon is highly optioned, including the Demon Crate. It is powered by a 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI V8 engine making 840hp and 770 ft/lbs. of torque with an 8-speed automatic transmission.