Critical Shifts:
-
High-Profile Celebrity Provenance: The auction features high-visibility "hero cars," including the 1979 Ferrari 308 GTS used in the pilot and first season of "Magnum, P.I." and a 1976 Mercedes-Benz 450SL previously owned by Will Ferrell.
-
Pop Culture Conversions: Unique custom builds, such as a 1996 Chevrolet Corvette modified to replicate the "Speed Racer" Mach 5, highlight a market for iconic screen-replica vehicles.
-
NASCAR Driver Collections: Two classic American icons—a custom 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air and a 1957 Ford Thunderbird convertible—are being offered from the personal 10-year collection of NASCAR’s Kyle Busch and his wife Samantha.
-
Strong Market for Restored Classics: The inclusion of custom 1950s-era Chevrolets and Fords alongside 1980s exotics demonstrates a diverse docket aimed at high-net-worth enthusiasts and boutique collectors.
________________________________________________
Barrett-Jackson’s collector car auction offers exotic car from 19080s television series along with other unique and noteworthy collectible vehicles and powerboats ready to cross the block during the Palm Beach Auction, April 16-18, 2026, at the South Florida Fairgrounds.
Vehicles with celebrity provenance include a 1979 Ferrari 308 GTS Targa “hero car” driven by Tom Selleck in the 1980s TV series “Magnum, P.I.” and a 1976 Mercedes-Benz 450SL roadster owned by actor/comedian Will Ferrell. Another pop culture icon is a fully customized 1996 Chevrolet Corvette configured to look like the Mach 5 from “Speed Racer.”
“A number of iconic collectible vehicles are crossing the block in Florida that would add a bit of fun to any collection,” said Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson. “Our Palm Beach docket features celebrity and pop culture cars with Hollywood provenance, like Will Ferrell’s Mercedes-Benz 450SL. We’re especially excited about offering two vehicles owned by NASCAR driver Kyle Busch and his wife Samantha. They purchased their custom 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air and 1957 Ford Thunderbird convertible during our 2014 Scottsdale Auction, and the cars remained in their collection for over a decade before changing hands. It will be great to have Kyle and Samantha with us to watch these incredible collectible vehicles cross the block in Palm Beach.”
The 1979 Ferrari 308 GTS Targa was used in the “Magnum, P.I.” pilot episode, “Don’t Eat the Snow in Hawaii,” and early Season 1 filming for the CBS hit series. Seat modifications, with adjustments for additional legroom, were made to accommodate the 6-foot-4 frame of the show’s star, actor Tom Selleck. The car is powered by a V-8 paired with a five-speed manual transmission and limited-slip differential.
