The stunning, record-setting sale of a 1971 Plymouth Hemi ’Cuda convertible for $3.5 million was a strong highlight for Mecum’s inaugural Seattle auction this past weekend. Total sales reached $15,125,097 (including auction fees) with 322 of the 618 collector cars hammered sold.
Mecum Auctions inaugural Seattle sale at a glance
| Total sales | $15.1 million |
| Catalog | 618 vehicles |
| Sell-through | 52 percent |
| High sale | $3.5 million for a 1971 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda convertible |
| Next 9 price range | $115,000 to $340,000 |
| Next auction | July 24-26 in Harrisburg, PA |
The ’Cuda sale, which Mecum claims is the most ever paid for a Detroit muscle car at auction, was far and away the highest result of the Seattle event. The second-place car, a 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429 fastback that was part of a Calypso Blue quartet of Boss Mustangs, sold for less than 10 percent of the top seller, at $340,000.
Individual results reflect the hammer prices and do not include auction fees. A car that shared the headline spot with the ’Cuda in Seattle, a rare and desirable 1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 coupe, actually was bid higher on the block, topping out at $3.7 million. But that wasn’t enough to make reserve, and the Corvette went back home with the consigner.
Another anticipated feature was the auction of a 2008 Bugatti Veyron, also a no-sale despite a high bid of $975,000.
The top-10 sales list features an all-American lineup with a mix of serious muscle along with some classic beauties. They are:
• 1971 Plymouth Hemi Cuda convertible at $3,500,000
• 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429 fastback at $340,000
• 1968 Shelby GT500KR fastback at $160,000
• 1958 Buick Limited convertible at $150,000
• 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle LS6 hardtop at $150,000
• 1937 Packard Twelve Victoria convertible at $150,000
• 1958 Chevrolet Corvette convertible at $143,640
• 1956 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz at $130,000
• 1967 Shelby GT500 fastback at $125,000
• 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T at $115,000
“It was evident about an hour into the first auction day that the fine people of Seattle were glad we’d come to town,” said Dana Mecum, president and founder of Mecum Auctions. “The auction arena at CenturyLink Field Event Center quickly filled to capacity, and we had a great first auction.
“Our consignment docket exceeded expectations in both quantity and quality, and with the record-setting sale of the Hemi ’Cuda convertible, it instantly put Mecum Seattle on the map.”
Mecum Auction’s next sale is also an inaugural event held July 24-26 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg. Around 1,000 cars are expected to cross the block.
After all the fees and taxes are added in, that is a 4 million dollar car. If I had a spare 4 million, I would buy a Ferrari 275 GTB/4 not a Hemi Cuda!