With more than 2,000 collector cars crossing the block with a resounding 89 percent sell-through rate, Mecum Auctions racked up $122.8 million in sales from its massive 10-day Kissimmee, Florida, auction, the highest overall result for a single-event auction in the company’s history and “an unprecedented sales percentage for a reserve-based auction of this magnitude,” the company said.
Less than a week later, Mecum auctioned the Motor City Museum collection of 200 cars and automobilia lots in Punta Gorda, Florida, adding another $18.4 million to January’s results, for a total of $141.2 million (all results include auction fees).
Not too shabby for a pair of collector car sales held live and on-site during the height of a worldwide pandemic. The overall results for Mecum’s two Florida sales could have gotten a boost from the postponement until March of Barrett-Jackson’s signature Scottsdale, Arizona, auction, which usually competes directly with Mecum’s annual Florida event.
The top result in Mecum’s January 7-16 Kissimmee auction was a whopping $5.94 million for Carroll Shelby’s personal 1965 Shelby 427 Cobra, making it the most-expensive Cobra ever sold at public auction.
Shelby’s own Cobra was one of seven cars selling above the million-dollar mark in Kissimmee, followed by a 1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 roadster for $2.5 million; a 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing coupe at $1.57 million; another 1965 Shelby 427 Cobra at $1.38 million; a 1966 Ferrari 275 GTS at $1.35 million; a 1957 Mercedes 300 SL roadster at $2.21 million; and a 1965 Iso Grifo Bizzarrini at $1.18 million.
Mecum extended its Florida auction action this year with the Muscle Car City Collection sale held on-site in Punta Gorda during the weekend following Kissimmee. The auction of cars and memorabilia came from the vast collection of General Motors vehicles that Rick Treworgy had brought together and opened to the public in a popular private museum, where the auction was held.
The top-selling cars included a 1963 Chevrolet Corvette resto mod that sold for $368,500; a 1969 Chevrolet COPO Camaro at $297,000; and a 1958 Chevrolet Impala convertible resto mod for $253,000.
Both Florida auctions were held under strict pandemic restrictions, according tot Mecum, which included mandatory mask wearing, social distancing and hand sanitizing at provided stations. Mecum stands apart from most other collection car auction companies for re-opening its nationwide events to the public once again despite the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.
The top-10 sales at Mecum’s Kissimmee 2021 auction were:
1. 1965 Shelby 427 Cobra roadster at $5,940,000
2. 1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 roadster at $2,500,000
3. 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing, at $1,567,500
4. 1967 Shelby 427 Cobra roadster at $1,375,000
5. 1966 Ferrari 275 GTS at $1,347,500
6. 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL roadster at $1,210,000
7. 1965 Iso Grifo A3/C Bizzarrini at $1,182,500
8. 2018 Ford GT ’67 Heritage Edition at $990,000
9. 1971 Plymouth Cuda convertible at $962,500
10. 1964 Shelby 289 Cobra roadster at $935,000
The top-10 collector-car sales at the Muscle Car City Collection auction were:
1. 1963 Chevrolet Corvette resto-mod at $368,500
2. 1969 Chevrolet COPO Camaro at $297,000
3. 1958 Chevrolet Impala convertible resto-mod at $253,000
4. 1967 Chevrolet Corvette convertible resto-mod at $231,000
5. 1961 Chevrolet Impala convertible at $220,000
6. 1960 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz convertible at $214,500
7. 1969 Chevrolet COPO Camaro at $209,000
8. 1968 Chevrolet Corvette convertible at $209,000
9. 1965 Chevrolet C10 pickup at $198,000
10. 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle Z16 at $187,000
(All results include auction fees)
Mecum’s next auction takes place March 18-20 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, with about 1,200 collector cars crossing the block.
For more information, visit the Mecum website.
We’re always hearing about yet ANOTHER record breaking auction by the Mecum hucksters. How about publishing what THEIR take was ? When you buy a car from a private party, you know what ya paid for. But when you purchase a vehicle from these glorified car salesmen you’re lining THEIR pockets as well. I’ve been to a few of these “auctions” and watch them try and stir up so much excitement and hype that you radically overpay for a car. Then, all of a sudden now, because one Chevy Impala sold for $200,000, every Chevy Impala is worth that much. It’s ridiculous.
I also don’t understand how they can call any vehicle with a “reserve”, an auction. That’s just a “best offer over” sale.
Just sayin’
Watched Shelby’s Cobra sell live on TV. Blew me away. Peter Morgan signed my +8. Think I could get that much? Ha.
Great to hear, but not for the average bidder. I attended the first day Jan 7, and was very disappointed on the lack of vehicles, empty tents and lack of selection. for a first day the prices were high, I have been going for years and have purchased a truck last year. I read that 2500 vehicles crossed the block, 3500 were advertised in all mailings. I think mecum only cares about the high-end bidders and forgot what got him here, I have reservations of going to future auctions and spending my hard earned money. Joe A
Mecum a big-time scammer