American muscle cars, Corvettes and Shelbys led the bidding at Mecum Auctions’ inaugural collector car auction in Louisville, Kentucky, which scored $13.4 million in total sales for 440 vehicles plus “Road Art” automobilia. About 730 vehicles crossed the block.
In the spirit of the new auction venue at the Kentucky Exposition Center, each day of the three-day auction started up with the National Anthem played by Steve Buttleman, official bugler for the Kentucky Derby.
Top seller in Louisville was one of GM’s most-desirable muscle cars, a 1970 Chevelle LS6 four-speed convertible, which hammered at $280,000 (Mecum results do not include buyer fees). Next up was another muscle classic, a 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429 fastback, sold for $255,000.
A modern performance icon, a supercharged 2005 Ford GT with 1,250 miles, was sold for $250,000, while a custom 1962 Chevy Corvette roadster resto-mod went for $200,000. The only European in the top 10, a 1989 Porsche 911 Speedster, held down fifth place at $145,000.
Mecum pointed out the strong sale of a 1970 Pontiac GTO Judge convertible four-speed that reached $132,500. Three Shelby GT500s from the years 1967, 1968 and 1969 sold for $112,500, $135,000, and $90,000, respectively, while a 1961 Corvette Big Brake Fuelie rounded out the top 10 at $90,000.
The top 10 sales for the Mecum’s first Louisville auction were:
1. 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle LS6 convertible at $280,000
2. 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429 fastback at $255,000
3. 2005 Ford GT at $250,000
4. 1962 Chevrolet Corvette resto-mod at $200,000
5. 1989 Porsche 911 Speedster at $145,000
6. 1968 Shelby GT500 fastback at $135,000
7. 1970 Pontiac GTO Judge convertible at $132,500
8. 1967 Shelby GT500 fastback at $112,500
9. 1961 Chevrolet Corvette big brake fuelie at $90,000
10. 1969 Shelby GT500 fastback at $90,000
(Results reflect hammer prices without buyer fees)
Mecum’s next collector car auction takes place October 6-8 just north of Chicago at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center, with 1,000 vehicles expected for bidding. For information, visit the auction website.