The Mecum Marathon In Kissimmee Sets New Record As World’s Largest
Mecum Auctions’ record-setting 10-day auction, held Jan. 18-27, exceeded all expectations transforming more than 100 acres of land at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Fla., into the nation's collector car epicenter. A total of 3,337 lots filled every building and 15 acres of tents with a total of 2,610 cars crossing the auction block and a huge selection of Road Art and memorabilia. With 1,811 vehicles sold, an astounding 70 percent sell-through rate was achieved and total sales for the event reached $71,635,356. As sales continue to finalize with Mecum’s “The Bid Goes On” department, totals are expected to reach $75 million.
“Plenty of auction companies in the past have laid claim to putting on the Super Bowl of auctions,” Mecum President Dana Mecum stated. “Mecum has gone where no auction company has ever gone before by hosting the first true collector car marathon, and we did it successfully. Kissimmee broke last year’s record by more than 25 percent offering 2,610 cars on our march to 3,000, and we look forward to reaching our goal of breaking the 3,000 car barrier next year in the sunny state of Florida.”
More than 75,000 people flooded the auction grounds to take part in the festival-like atmosphere of the largest collector car auction in the world. Whether they stayed for three or four hours, or they had gas and oil in their veins and stayed for two weeks with motorhome in tow, families with children of all ages took advantage of the beautiful Florida weather and the opportunity to see some of the best cars on the planet. The vast array of quality offerings included some of the best the Kissimmee auction has ever seen.
Mecum’s General and Operations Manager Harold Gerdes plays a huge role in getting an event like Kissimmee on its feet. “To put this event on is like putting on a professional basketball game and a rock concert at the same time and doing it every night, 10 nights straight,” Gerdes explained.
Thirty-two hours of the colossal event was broadcast live on Velocity, a Discovery Network, allowing those at home to take in the auction floor action right alongside the Mecum family and have a chance to be part of this truly historic event.
Within the massive lineup of vehicles, three private collections were featured which nabbed eight of the top spots for highest hammer prices. Several record-setting sales were made, but sitting at the head of the Top Ten sales list is a 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 Roadster CSX3301 (Lot S155), which sold for $735,000. An all-original and unrestored 8,000-mile 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 from the John Justo Collection (Lot S155) claimed the third-highest sale exchanging hands at an astonishing $417,000. With every segment of the collector car hobby well represented in Kissimmee, buyers had access to the greatest selection ever offered in one location.
The Top Ten sales results for the Kissimmee, Fla., Auction were:
(prices do not include 6 percent buyers premium)
1. 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 Roadster CSX3301 (Lot S155) at $735,000
2. 1968 Chevrolet Corvette L88 Convertible (Lot S172) at $550,000
3. 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 Fastback (Lot S116) at $417,000
4. 1966 Ford Mustang SCCA Group 2 A/Sedan Racer (Lot S132) at $400,000
5. 1970 Plymouth Hemi Cuda (Lot S123) at $320,000
6. 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (Lot S128) at $310,000
7. 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Coupe (Lot F242) at $275,000
8. 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible (Lot S117) at $250,000
9. 1962 Chevrolet Corvette Big Brake Tanker (Lot F245) at $242,000
10. 2005 Ford GT (Lot S182) at $220,000
Comprehensive auction results are available to Mecum InfoNet members, which is free to join at www.Mecum.com. Mecum’s next auction will be held in Boynton Beach, Fla., Feb. 22-23, followed by Houston April 4-6 at The Reliant Center. To consign a vehicle or to pre-register to bid at one of Mecum Auctions’ upcoming events, visit www.Mecum.com or call (262) 275-5050.
About Mecum Auctions
The Mecum Auction Company has been specializing in the sale of collector cars for 26 years, now offering more than 12,000 vehicles per year. Mecum Auctions is the world leader of collector car and road art sales. Auctions are held throughout the United States and broadcast live on Velocity, Discovery Network. For further information, visit www.Mecum.com or call (262) 275-5050. Follow along with Mecum’s social media news and join us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest and Instagram.
