Rare Harley Earl 1954 Pontiac Concept Car at Auction

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--Oct. 14, 2005--One lucky bidder at the 2006 Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Auction will drive away with one of the most unique concept cars ever designed, Harley Earl's 1954 Pontiac Bonneville Special. This car, one of only two built, was created to tour on the West Coast to help spread the excitement of General Motors' latest conceptual offerings. The car will be auctioned at no reserve during the January event in Scottsdale, Ariz. running from January 14-22.

The renowned GM designer Harley Earl was inspired by a trip to the Bonneville Salt Flats. The car was never intended for production; the idea was to show the public that Pontiac lead the industry in innovative thinking. Designed as Pontiac's answer to the Chevrolet Corvette, the flashy Bonneville Special conveys a look of speed. The Bonneville features a distinctive aircraft-style Plexiglas bubble top with gull-wing glass door tops over the cockpit and the world's most radical looking continental kit, designed to look like a jet turbine.

"One discriminating car aficionado is going to have the opportunity to purchase a true piece of Americana here in Scottsdale," said Craig Jackson, president of the Barrett-Jackson Auction Company. "In the 1950s, people would come from all over the nation just to catch a glimpse of the Bonneville Special. In January, bidders, attendees and television viewers will get to see, with the opportunity to bid on this stunning car for themselves, in addition to an unprecedented collection of high-quality, desirable and rare automobiles."

At last year's Barrett-Jackson Auction in Scottsdale, another Harley Earl creation, a 1954 Oldsmobile F-88 concept car grabbed an all-time record at the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction with a winning bid of US$3,240,000, including bidder's fees.

The Barrett-Jackson Auction is being aired on the SPEED Channel Network live for 32 hours of coverage.

About The Barrett-Jackson Auction Company

Established in 1971 and headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Barrett-Jackson specializes in providing products and services to classic and collector car owners, astute collectors and automotive enthusiasts around the world. The company produces the "World's Greatest Classic Car Event" in Scottsdale, Ariz., and has expanded to other venues, including Palm Beach, Fla. For more information about Barrett-Jackson, visit www.barrett-jackson.com or call 480-421-6694.