Now that auction week 2012 has wrapped up in Scottsdale, Arizona, car enthusiasts are shifting their attention to Mecum’s event in Kissimmee, Florida. This six-day extravaganza, beginning on January 24, will feature over 2100 cars. Although there won’t be a Tucker Torpedo or a Mercedes Gullwing on the auction list, there will be plenty of Detroit muscle, including Corvettes, Mustangs, Chevelles, Thunderbirds, Camaros, ‘Cudas, and Road Runners. The auction will also have late model Italian and English super cars, luxury motor homes, and upscale speed boats. If your tastes lean more toward restomods and hot rods, a variety of custom-designed vehicles, ranging from traditional to extreme machines, will be for sale. To round out the auction field, there will a limited number of Deusenbergs, Cords, and Packards.
With so much high-gloss paint and chrome crossing Mecum’s auction block, it is difficult to sort out what is hot and what is not. Here is a short list of what to watch at the auction, based on the car’s rarity and historical significance, not on any preferences to type or model.
1937 Cord 812 – Lot S233
This Cord 812 may not be what you consider a typical muscle car, but under the stylish maroon hood sits a supercharged V-8. Add a tan convertible top, hide-away headlights, and chrome exhaust pipes that exit he hood, and you have a real head-turner. See it here
1953 Corvette Roadster – Lot S97
There were only a few lucky owners of this iconic Corvette, released for the first time in 1953. This show-quality roadster is one of only 300 sold in the first year, making it a rare vehicle to be appreciated by all car enthusiasts.
1956 Ford F100 Custom Pickup – Lot K14
There are custom pickups, and then there is this over-the-top custom++ creation. Start with the basic design of the 1956 step-side Ford pickup, add suicide doors, a side-tilt louvered hood, dump-tilt bed, and paint-shifting green and copper color. Then, install a custom interior, a tricked-out engine, hand-made copper grill and bed, and a host of other customizations, and you have a one-of-a-kind pickup, complete with its very own customized display stand. Although it may not bring the highest bid, it is undoubtedly a standout that everyone will be talking about long after the auction ends.
1961 Corvette Gulf Race Car – Lot S95
This corvette, initially driven by Don Yenko, is the real deal with an extensive race history. It won the 1961 SCCA B-Production National Championship, and was inducted into the Corvette Hall of Fame and the Bloomington Gold Hall of Fame. This Corvette will be a star in anyone’s collection, so expect some bidding fireworks when this car rolls on stage.
1961 Ford Thunderflite Concept Car – Lot S148
It is hard to imagine that this futuristic-looking vehicle was built in 1961. It started with the streamline design of the early 60’s bullet birds, and took the design to the next level. With its satiny chrome paint and power bubble top, it looks like something that only a super hero would drive. The cool factor is cranked way up on this car. See it here.
1963 Shelby Cobra Dragon Snake – Lot S220
Anytime an original Shelby Cobra is at an auction, it gets a lot of attention. This Shelby, built to compete at the highest level of drag racing, did so from 1964 to 1968. With more wins than any other competition Cobra in history, it holds national titles in four separate classes. The new owner will need to lay out some serious cash to take home this purple metal-flake snake.
1969 COPO Camaro – Lot S168 and Lot S205
Although not available to the general public, through a back-channel arrangement by some enterprising Chevy dealers, they found a way to order Camaros with the special 427 Corvette engine. Only a limited number of these powerful Camaros were built. Of the two offered for sale, Lot 168, Hoosier Hell, was never street-driven. The car was driven only 65 miles – ¼ mile at a time.
Picks for Highest Bid at Mecum’s Auction in Kissimmee, Florida
1961 Corvette Gulf Race Car — Lot S95
1969 COPO Camaro – Lot 168, Hoosier Hell
1963 Shelby Cobra Dragon Snake — Lot S220
Which Cars Are Your Picks?
Maybe your favorite car is based on your preference to Blue Ovals, Bowties, or Mopars. Or, did you own or wish you’d owned one of these cars? Whatever your reason, let’s hear who you think should be on the short list. What cars will you be watching, and which car do you feel will bring top money at the auction?
Source:
Mecum