One of the show’s spotlights, this year’s Salon Collection of notable vehicles is scheduled to cross the block on Saturday, Jan. 19, in primetime bidding. Among those crossing the block is an extremely rare Franay-built 1947 Talbot Lago T26 Grand Sport, a 1934 Duesenberg J LWB Custom, a 1959 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud I Mulliner Drophead and the “thought to be lost” 1968 Shelby Mustang EXP-500 “Green Hornet” dual prototype.

If there are two things that could heighten the collectability of any vehicle, rarity and racing lineage rank right at the top. Lot #5019 – the 1947 Talbot Lago T26 Grand Sport – is one such offering. It’s now-famous teardrop shape and short-wheelbase chassis allowed the manufacturer to first enter the competitive waters of motor sport at the 1948 Grand Prix of Monaco.

The 1959 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud I Mulliner Drophead represents part of the final generation of coachbuilt Rolls models. (Photo: Barrett-Jackson)

Talbot Lago T26 GS (chassis #110113) is fully restored, yet it retains much of its original bluster and appeal, including a 195-horsepower, 4.5-liter six-cylinder engine, a four-speed manual gearbox, factory red-leather interior, black piping and exterior paint. The two-year restoration earned the Best of Show award at the 2005 Pebble Concours d’Elegance, a prestigious mark that few cars have achieved.

Another mouth-watering Salon offering crossing the block is the compelling 1968 Shelby Mustang EXP-500 manufacturer prototype known as The Green Hornet. An exclusive vehicle in every respect, this one-of-kind Mustang’s trek into automotive lore is unique.

Lot #5022 was a followup tester to Ford’s now famous 1967 Lil Red prototype, which inspired the GT/CS or California Special edition Mustangs of that era. Impressed with what they had that year, Ford Motor Company commissioned the building of a 1968 Mustang prototype to be marketed under the GT Sport Coupe designation. With a Lime Gold exterior and Ivy Gold interior, VIN 8F01S104288 toured the country to promote this new line of Mustang performance.

Upon completion, however, Ford decided against moving forward with production and sent it over to the Shelby shop in Ionia, Mich. There, through the passion and innovation of Chief Engineer Fred Goodell, the Green Hornet became a one-car performance proving ground, as many yet-to-be harnessed modifications were added, including a Bendix engineer Dave Long-designed Conelec fuel-injection system, a new rear disk-brake setup, and the toast of the entire project, its experimental independent rear-suspension system.

Modifications to the famed 1968 Mustang prototype Green Hornet include an experimental Conelec fuel-injection system, independent rear suspension and unique rear disc brakes. (Photo: Barrett-Jackson)

As with any of Shelby’s high-performance offerings, a healthy powerplant was a must, and this one doesn’t disappoint. Team Shelby replaced the original 390-cubic-inch mount with a newly tweaked 428 cubic-inch Cobra Jet V8. With the extra power and a need for more traction, they added a Lincoln torque converter and sturdier F350 automatic transmission, often used to drive trucks of that era.

Despite its obvious desirability, it still took a “back-door” vehicle purchase by a Ford executive to save this ride from being crushed, as test machines of this nature were considered public liabilities. Until the 1980s, when noted collector Randy Darrow realized what he actually possessed, the EXP-500 had already been thought to have met a similar demise.

“Mules, engineering cars like this, as they say, ‘the best way to win in court is to stay out of it,’” said Magnante, who is a noted muscle car expert. “The thought is, don’t let a prototype get out into the public and hurt someone, so junk the car, crush it and don’t let it get out. This car is the only one of its kind, and indeed a very special piece.

“Ironically, this car is really timely too, as we get into the next generation of the new Mustang – which comes out in a year and a half; we’ll finally get independent rear suspension,” Magnante added. “Here we are, 40 years ago, and Ford was experimenting with independent rear suspension. I think Shelby probably thought the independent rear suspension on his Cobras worked so darn well, why not make a replica of that and stuff it under the Mustang to see how that did in road racing and potentially, for production availability, which is what the ‘Green Hornet’ was.”

A car with this type of history and provenance, including being a double prototype of sorts, have many in the collector-car community already touting bid numbers north of $2 million. We’ll see.

Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Collector Car Auction live on SPEED
(All Times Eastern; Schedule Subject To Change)

Tuesday, Jan. 15 – Barrett-Jackson live auction, 7 p.m. - midnight.

Wednesday, Jan. 16 – Barrett-Jackson live auction, 7 p.m.- midnight.

Thursday, Jan. 17 – Barrett-Jackson live auction and Hagerty Fantasy Bid Game, 7 p.m. - midnight.

Friday, Jan. 18 – Barrett-Jackson live auction and Hagerty Fantasy Bid Game, 2 p.m. - midnight.

Saturday, Jan. 19 – Barrett-Jackson live auction and Hagerty Fantasy Bid Game, 2 p.m. - midnight.

Sunday, Jan. 20 – Barrett-Jackson live auction and Hagerty Fantasy Bid Game, 2-6 p.m.

Alternate streaming cameras for live auction times are also available at SPEED.com.