Barrett-Jackson brought its renowned collector car auction experience to Columbus, Ohio, for the first time in 2026, hosting a three-day event from June 25–27 at the Ohio Expo Center & State Fairgrounds. The inaugural Columbus Auction featured 550 collectible vehicles, generating more than $37 million in vehicle sales with a reported 100% sell-through rate. The event also included 255 automobilia lots, bringing total auction sales to $38.1 million. From rare American muscle cars to modern hypercars, the results established Columbus as another destination on Barrett-Jackson’s collector car auction calendar.
Porsche claimed the top position with a 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder that sold for nearly $2.7 million, but Ford dominated the remaining rankings. Four of the five most expensive cars sold at Barrett-Jackson Columbus 2026 carried the Blue Oval badge, including three modern Ford GT supercars and an exceptionally preserved 1969 Mustang Boss 429. Together, these results highlighted collector interest in limited-production performance cars, low-mileage examples, and vehicles with significant connections to American motorsport history.
1. 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder – $2,695,000
The highest-selling car at Barrett-Jackson Columbus 2026 was a 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder, which achieved $2,695,000. Finished in Liquid Metal Silver, this example was identified as number 57 of the 918 vehicles produced and showed approximately 13,091 miles. The 918 Spyder combines a naturally aspirated 4.6-liter V8 engine with two electric motors, producing a combined 887 horsepower. Power is managed through a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission, with the hybrid system providing electric assistance and all-wheel-drive capability. Its unusual paint finish, limited production, and distinctive powertrain made it the clear headline vehicle of the Columbus auction.
Introduced as Porsche’s flagship hybrid hypercar, the 918 Spyder represented a major advancement in high-performance automotive engineering. Developed alongside a new generation of electrified supercars, including the Ferrari LaFerrari and McLaren P1, it demonstrated how electric motors could enhance acceleration, handling, and efficiency without sacrificing the character of a traditional performance engine. Its carbon-fiber construction, motorsport-inspired engineering, and limited production established it as an important milestone in Porsche’s history. The Columbus result also demonstrated the continued prominence of the 918 Spyder among modern collectible hypercars.
2. 2021 Ford GT ’66 Heritage Edition – $1,100,000
The second-highest sale was a 2021 Ford GT ’66 Heritage Edition, which brought $1,100,000. One of just 50 examples of this Heritage Edition, the car showed only 381 miles when offered at the Columbus auction. The modern Ford GT uses a mid-mounted 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6 producing 660 horsepower, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The ’66 Heritage Edition draws its appearance from Ford’s historic racing program, using special exterior graphics and finishes to commemorate the original GT40’s achievements at Le Mans.
The Ford GT ’66 Heritage Edition celebrates one of the most important chapters in American racing history. In 1966, Ford achieved its first overall victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, beginning a period of dominance that would continue through 1969. The modern GT was developed with that racing heritage in mind, combining advanced aerodynamics, lightweight carbon-fiber construction, and competition-derived engineering. Its limited-production Heritage configuration strengthens the connection between Ford’s historic GT40 race cars and its modern supercar program. With fewer than 400 miles recorded, this example represented a particularly low-mileage tribute to Ford’s endurance-racing legacy.
3. 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 – $1,045,000
A remarkably preserved 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 secured third place with a final sale price of $1,045,000. Finished in Candy Red, this unrestored Mustang showed just 4,435 miles and retained its matching-numbers 429-cubic-inch S-code V8 engine. The original drivetrain also included a matching-numbers four-speed manual transmission and a 3.91 Traction-Lok rear axle. Unlike heavily restored muscle cars, this Boss 429 stood out for its documented original components and exceptionally low mileage. Its combination of mechanical authenticity, original condition, and limited production helped distinguish it from other classic American performance cars at the event.
The Boss 429 occupies a special place in Mustang history because it was developed to homologate Ford’s new 429-cubic-inch engine for NASCAR competition. Built through a collaboration with Kar Kraft, the cars required substantial modifications to accommodate the large V8 engine within the Mustang’s engine compartment. Only 859 Boss 429 Mustangs were produced for the 1969 model year, making them among the rarest factory performance Mustangs of the muscle-car era. This example’s unrestored condition and matching-numbers drivetrain offered collectors a direct connection to the original engineering and construction of Ford’s legendary homologation special.
4. 2022 Ford GT – $913,000
A 2022 Ford GT brought $913,000, taking fourth place among the most expensive cars sold at Barrett-Jackson Columbus. This one-owner example was finished in a distinctive Diamond Blue exterior color and showed just 41 miles. Like other late-production second-generation Ford GTs, it features a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6 engine producing 660 horsepower, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Its advanced carbon-fiber construction, active aerodynamic features, and racing-inspired cockpit reflect Ford’s focus on developing a road-going supercar around modern competition technology. With such minimal recorded mileage, this example remained unusually close to its original delivery condition.
The second-generation Ford GT was developed as a modern successor to the original GT40 and the 2005–2006 Ford GT. Introduced as part of Ford’s renewed international endurance-racing effort, the program achieved a class victory at the 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans, exactly 50 years after the company’s first overall win. Unlike its V8-powered predecessor, the newer GT adopted a smaller twin-turbocharged V6, prioritizing aerodynamic efficiency, lightweight construction, and track-focused performance. The 2022 model represents the closing period of the second-generation GT’s production run, adding historical significance to this exceptionally low-mileage example.
5. 2021 Ford GT Studio Collection Series Edition – $863,500
Rounding out the top five was a 2021 Ford GT Studio Collection Series Edition, which sold for $863,500. One of just 20 Studio Collection examples produced for the 2021 model year, this Ford GT was finished in Liquid Blue tri-coat paint with Competition Orange graphics specific to the series. The car showed only 466 miles at the time of sale. Developed through Ford’s partnership with Multimatic, the Studio Collection featured exclusive exterior treatments that emphasized the GT’s aerodynamic shape. Underneath its distinctive appearance, the car retained the modern GT’s 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 and seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
The Studio Collection Series Edition reflects Ford’s approach to personalization during the final years of second-generation GT production. Rather than introducing a different powertrain, the limited series focused on exclusive visual treatments developed to complement the supercar’s race-derived bodywork. The GT’s deep aerodynamic channels, sculpted flying buttresses, and low-profile cockpit already distinguish it from conventional road cars, while the Studio Collection’s special graphics further emphasize those elements. With only 20 examples produced in this configuration for 2021, the Columbus car represented a notably uncommon variation of Ford’s modern performance flagship.
Barrett-Jackson Columbus 2026 FAQs
Where was the Barrett-Jackson Columbus Auction held in 2026?
The inaugural Barrett-Jackson Columbus Auction took place at the Ohio Expo Center & State Fairgrounds in Columbus, Ohio, from June 25 through June 27, 2026. The three-day event brought Barrett-Jackson’s collector car auction format to the Midwest, featuring classic cars, modern supercars, muscle cars, memorabilia, and automotive entertainment.
What was the most expensive car sold at Barrett-Jackson Columbus 2026?
The most expensive car sold was a 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder, which achieved $2,695,000. Finished in Liquid Metal Silver, it was number 57 of the 918 examples produced and featured Porsche’s 887-horsepower hybrid powertrain. The sale made it the only vehicle at the event to exceed $2 million.
How much money did Barrett-Jackson Columbus 2026 generate?
Barrett-Jackson reported $38.1 million in total auction sales during its inaugural Columbus event. The auction included 550 collectible vehicles that generated more than $37 million in vehicle sales, along with 255 automobilia lots that contributed more than $1.1 million. The event also raised $240,000 for charity through the sale of two vehicles.
Which manufacturer dominated the Barrett-Jackson Columbus 2026 results?
Ford dominated the top five rankings with four vehicles: the 2021 Ford GT ’66 Heritage Edition, 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429, 2022 Ford GT, and 2021 Ford GT Studio Collection Series Edition. Three of those vehicles were modern Ford GT supercars, while the Boss 429 represented Ford’s classic muscle-car heritage. Porsche claimed the overall highest sale with the 918 Spyder.
What does “no reserve” mean at a Barrett-Jackson auction?
A no-reserve auction means a vehicle is sold to the highest bidder without requiring a minimum selling price set by the seller. This differs from a reserve auction, where the seller may establish a confidential minimum amount that must be reached before the vehicle can sell. Barrett-Jackson is particularly well known for its no-reserve collector car auctions, where vehicles cross the block and sell at the final accepted bid.
