Mecum hits $25.2 million jackpot in Las Vegas

Dana Mecum prepares to put 'Sold' sticker on the windshield at this 1930 Duesenberg Model J dual-cowl phaeton during the recent Las Vegas auction | Larry Edsall photos

75 percent sell-through for company’s second collector car auction just off The Strip

Mecum Auctions’ second visit to the Las Vegas Convention Center resulted in $25.2 million in sales with a 75 percent sell-through rate this past week, the company announced.

Mecum added that the sales total is a 7 percent increase compared with its inaugural collector car auction in 2017 in the same building.

A bid of $1.3 million wasn’t enough to get this 2012 Bugatti Veyron Grand Sports 16-4 hammered sold

And the results could have been even better had the owners of a 2012 Bugatti Veyron Grand Sports 16-4 that was bid to $1.3 million and a 1938 Talbot-Lago T120 roadster bid to $925,000 on the final day of the auction accepted those amounts rather than refusing to remove their reserve prices.

Still, of the 885 cars crossing the block, 667 went to new owners.

Among those selling were 31 of the 52 vehicles offered from the Academy of Art University collection. These included the top-3 sales of the auction, a 1930 Bugatti Type 46 faux cabriolet selling for $1.012 million, a 1930 Duesenberg Model J dual-cowl phaeton bringing $770,000 and a 1934 Packard 1104 Super 8 dual-cowl sport phaeton going for $258,500. (Prices include buyer’s fee.)

Meanwhile, the Ardell Brown Estate collection of nearly 140 cars and an assortment of Road Art — all offered at no reserve — sold for more than $5 million. Among the Brown cars was a stunning orchid-colored 1930 Cord L-29 cabriolet that sold for $203,500.

Top-seller of the auction was this 1930 Bugatti Tye 46 faux cabriolet at $1.012 million

Top-10 sales, Mecum Las Vegas 2018

1930 Bugatti Type 46 faux cabriolet, $1,012,000.
1930 Duesenberg Model J dual-cowl phaeton, $770,000.
1934 Packard 1104 Super 8 dual-cowl sport phaeton, $258,500.
1959 Mercedes-Benz 300D cabriolet, $244,750.
1970 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda, $220,000.
1935 Pierce-Arrow Model 1245 Silver Arrow, $214,500.
1930 Cord L-29 cabriolet, $203,500.
2012 Terradyne Gurkha RPV armored vehicle, $198,000.
1999 Lamborghini Diablo VT roadster, $187,000.
1959 Volkswagen Deluxe 23-window bus, $181,500.

(Prices include buyer’s fee.)

Mecum’s next auction is scheduled for December 6-8 at Kansas City, followed by its 11-day, 3,500-vehicle auction January 3-13 at Kissimmee, Florida.