Mecum Kansas City Auction Tops $4 Million In Sales

True car collectors turned out for a successful weekend at the Mecum Auction at the Kemper Arena, Dec. 5-7, 2008, in Kansas City, Mo.

Total gross sales, including buyer’s premium, for the three-day auction was $4,007,415.  Mecum had a 50% sold rate at the auction – a good sales accomplishment for an all consignment auction during boom years, but an even greater achievement at the end of a year like 2008.

Mecum Auctions President Dana Mecum noted that while prices were down relative to the high values of 2006 and 2007, today’s prices are stabilizing at 2004-2005 levels, which is an encouraging trend that is more in line with the steady value growths of 1994 through 2005.

Kansas City’s Top 10 Sales (all sales include buyers’ premiums) were:

  1. 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Resto Mod (Lot S125) at $96,300
  2. 1970 Plymouth Superbird Hardtop (Lot 120) at $86,625
  3. 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible 427/400 HP (Lot S155.1) at $72,975
  4. 1970 Dodge Challenger T/A Hardtop (Lot S86) at $72,800
  5. 1960 Chevrolet Impala Convertible (Lot S83) at $58,800
  6. 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS Replica Convertible (Lot S168) at $51,975
  7. 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air 2-Door Hardtop (Lot S170) at $48,825
  8. 1970 Dodge Challenger T/A Coupe (Lot S224) at $48,300
  9. 1960 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible 350/400 HP (Lot S147) at $47,123
  10. 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z-28 Coupe (Lot S128) at $45,675

“Attendance at Mecum’s Kansas City auction was up a remarkable 49% over last year’s event – a true testament to the stamina of the collector car hobby,” Mecum said.  “Although not at the high levels experienced during 2006 and 2007, we continue to see activity in the collector car marketplace as they are luxury items that enthusiasts remain passionate about.”

In addition to selling a wide range of cars, Mecum delivered solid results for the Mark Wilson Collection, a cross-section of 26 classic muscle cars that sold at no reserve for $692,700 with buyers’ premiums.  Most notably, the auction’s top two-selling cars – the 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Resto Mod and 1970 Plymouth Superbird Hardtop – were from the Wilson Collection, demonstrating Mecum’s consignment capabilities as it continues bringing interesting collections to auction for buyers.

Full results of the Kansas City, Mo., auction are available to Mecum InfoNet members, which is free to join at https://www.mecum.com/infonet/infonet.cfm.  Mecum InfoNet members can log in to see car-by-car results by visiting the Consignments Page.

The general public is welcome at Mecum’s next auction – the Mecum Kissimmee Auction, Jan. 22-24, 2009, in Kissimmee, Fla. – with tickets available at the door for $10. For more information, visit www.Mecum.com.  Upcoming auctions will be broadcast live on Mecum’s popular television series, “Mecum Auto Auction: Muscle Cars & More,” which returns for the 2009 season on HD Theater – A Discovery Company.

The Mecum Auction Company has been specializing in the sale of collector cars, muscle cars and Corvettes for more than 20 years.  In spring 2008, the company sold its 50,000th car.  Consignment, Bidder, event and accommodation information is available online at www.Mecum.com or by calling (815) 568-8888.