Ford GTs dominated the top-10 seller list at the Mecum Dallas auction, with four of them landing among the highest results and a new 2017 coupe – the infamous GT sold against Ford’s wishes by pro-wrestler/actor John Cena – claiming the top spot with the sale’s only seven-figure result.
Total results reached $30 million, which Mecum noted is a 34 percent increase over the 2017 Dallas sale. The auction this year had 839 collector cars sold for a strong 73 percent sell-through rate.
Late-model sports cars and exotics, including the GTs, filled seven of the 10 top-seller spots, which once again shows the changing interests of high-dollar auction buyers.
The Cena car was auctioned for the second time in less than two months, and following a dispute between Ford and the celebrity over a signed agreement that the second-generation GT was not to be sold until after two years original ownership. Ford settled a suit against Cena that claimed he breached the deal by quickly flipping the car shortly after receiving it, selling it to the second owner, who then put it up for auction. The car has just 626 miles on its odometer.
In Dallas, the GT sold for $1.32 million, apparently taking a haircut compared with the $1.54 million that it went for in August when auctioned by Russo and Steele during Monterey Car Week. The GT’s original price tag from Ford was $440,000.
The other Ford GTs sold in Dallas were from the original batch of 2005-06 models, with a 2005 selling for $291,500 (all results include buyer fees), a 2006 model getting $280,500 and another 2005 going for $258,500.
Other 21st Century collector cars among the 10 highest sellers are a 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren roadster at $277,750, a 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren at $220,000 and a 2001 BMW Z8 convertible at $192,500.
The second highest-selling car at the auction was a gorgeously presented 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 fastback coupe with Bloomington Gold certification and NCRS Top Flight award, sold for $440,000.
Several Mecum auctions during the recent past have been led by 2005-06 Ford GT sales, helping the mid-engine coupes that emulate the Le Mans-winning Ford GT40 race cars gain the status of “instant collector cars.”
The top-10 highest sellers at Mecum’s Dallas auction were:
1. 2017 Ford GT at $1,320,000.
2. 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 at $440,000.
3. 2005 Ford GT at $291,500.
4. 2006 Ford GT at $280,500.
5. 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster at $277,750.
6. 2006 Ford GT at $258,500.
7. 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren at $220,000.
8. 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 fastback at $214,500.
9. 1967 Chevrolet Corvette convertible at $203,500.
10. 2001 BMW Z8 convertible at $192,500.
(Prices include buyer’s fee.)
Mecum’s next sale is the Chicago auction held October 25-27 at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center in Schaumburg, Illinois. For more information, visit the auction website.
