Hellcats and Vipers will soon be roaring at Mecum Auctions as Dodge becomes the exclusive automotive sponsor for the auction company, Mecum said Wednesday. The new partnership starts next week with Mecum’s inaugural sale in Louisville, Kentucky.
The performance brand for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Dodge will become part of Mecum’s auctions, advertising, publications, online presence and social media, Mecum said in a news release. Part of the deal is for Dodge to offer thrill rides and demonstrations with 707-horsepower Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcats and Charger SRT Hellcats, as well as the V10-powered Dodge Viper at some Mecum events, starting with Louisville.
“As exclusive automotive sponsor of Mecum Auctions, Dodge has an opportunity to reach a large number of car enthusiasts who share the brand’s passion for performance, muscle cars and heritage,” Tim Kuniskis, head of Passenger Cars – Dodge, SRT, Chrysler and FIAT, FCA – North America, said in the release.
Mecum stages its first Louisville auction September 8-10 at the Kentucky Exposition Center.
“Mecum has long been recognized for being the auction of choice for selling premium American muscle cars, with those boasting the Dodge brand from the late ’60s and early ’70s continuing to command top sales,” Dana Mecum, president and founder of Mecum Auctions, said in the release. “As we have watched Dodge pave the way once again by launching the muscle car back into the American spotlight, this sponsor partnership seems only natural by bringing the leaders of classic and modern muscle together.”
Mecum notes the auction’s success with 426 Hemi models built by Dodge and the erstwhile Plymouth brand in 1970 and 1971, which have soared into seven-figure territory previously occupied solely by pre-war classics and exclusive European sports cars.
“The E-body models built by Dodge during the final two years of the 426 Hemi engine’s availability in street-production models have proven time and again to be the blue chips of collector investment,” according to the Mecum news release
At Mecum’s auction earlier this year in Kissimmee, Florida, a 1970 Dodge Hemi Challenger R/T convertible sold for $1.65 million, again cementing the value of special Hemi-powered performance cars from that era.
“There is no question that Dodge muscle remains hot and continues to set records, making now a great time for the brand and Mecum Auctions to announce this landmark sponsorship,” Dana Mecum said.
