Mecum to offer 1,000 vehicles at Houston

1953 Buick Skylark Custom convertible with a 572cid fuel-injected V8 from the Rick Smith Collection | Mecum Auctions photos

Viper, Smith collections are included on the docket

Mecum Auctions plans to parade 1,000 cars across the block April 5-7 when it stages its annual sale in the NRG Center in Houston.

Featured on Friday will be two private collections. The “Investment-Grade Viper Collection” includes nine of the powerful, hand-built Dodge sports cars, including the 79th of 285 produced for 1992 and the only one driven as much as 9,000 miles since new.

1998 Dodge Viper GTS

One of the cars, a 1994 Viper RT/10, has been driven barely more than 1,000 miles. Seven of the cars are roadsters, the others are a 1997 GTS Coupe and a 1998 GTS-R.

Also on the docket for Friday is The Rick Smith Collection of 60 vehicles including a 1953 Buick Skylark Custom convertible with a 572cid fuel-injected V8, 1967 Ford Mustang supercharged with a full pro street setup, 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible in turquoise, and a Hemi-powered 1971 Plymouth ‘Cuda convertible.

1970 Plymouth Superbird

Mecum says other notable consignments include a 1970 Plymouth Superbird with its original 4-speed gearbox, a 2005 Ford GT driven only 2.6 miles, a 1967 Shelby GT500 Ford Mustang with a 428cid V8, and a 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429, one of only 279 equipped with the 820-S NASCAR solid-lifter engine.