Manoli Katakis 
It was a big week for auctions, with Barrett-Jackson and Bonhams each holding major collector car auctions in Scottsdale, Arizona. Yesterday we shared with you a pair of special Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 restoration projects from the 1960’s that were revealed alongside their modern successors that ended up selling for an incredible sum of money. And today, there’s more muscle car news to report from Barrett-Jackson. The one-off Chevrolet COPO Camaro John Force Edition that was revealed at the 2019 SEMA Show finally crossed the auction block, with the gavel slamming at $600,000 – nearly half the original estimate of $1 million. A great sum of money nevertheless, but we’re left wondering what it means. At least it ended up selling, unlike the all electric eCOPO.
Proceeds of this one-off Camaro went to DonorsChoose.org.
The 2020 COPO Camaro John Force Edition packs a 350 cubic-inch LSX-based V8 engine fitted to a 2.65L Magnusson supercharger, a track-ready Racer’s package that includes a carbon fiber air inlet, dual batteries, weight box, parachute, and a quick-change coupling for the supercharger (if equipped). The red/black livery speaks for itself, with John Force’s autograph integrated into the dual white racing stripes, while the hood scoop is detailed with a gray American flag. Additionally, the interior is riddled with red accents, and another John Force signature on the dashboard.
Meanwhile, since the size and scale of the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction can easily dominate the news cycle, you’d be forgiven if you didn’t notice that the first Dodge Viper ever produced sold for nearly double its sales estimate at Bonhams. And there’s likely a good reason for that.
This 1992 Dodge Viper RT/10 with 6,200 miles once belonged to automotive industry great: the father of the Ford Mustang, and Chrysler chairman Lee Iacocca. The gavel slammed at $285,500, more than double the pre-sale estimate. Less than half of the John Force COPO Camaro, but it’s good to see some love for this famous Viper. Iacocca’s estate also sold his Chrysler LeBaron, as well as a special Mustang, which didn’t move for much.
The Camaro isn’t street legal.