Mecum Auctions Tops $10.5 Million

by Michael Satterfield

Chicagoland’s only annual classic and collector car auction returned to the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center this past weekend where attendees watched as Mecum Auctions dropped the gavel on 435 cars in just three days, Oct. 6-8. Total sales for the high-energy event reached $10.5 million, and bidder and spectator turnout was strong with special appearances by members of the Chicago Blackhawks organization.

An enormous variety of collector vehicles were offered throughout the three-day auction, and it’s reflected among the auction’s top 10 sellers with everything from American muscle cars to classic ‘50s cruisers, and from exotic imports to late-model luxury rides making the list. Sales were led first and foremost by a Grabber Blue 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429 fastback featuring a concours restoration that brought a high bid of $245,000.

While the cars are always the stars at Mecum Auctions, Mecum Chicago 2016 also played host to one of the Chicago-area’s biggest darlings, the Chicago Blackhawks. Friday of the event was declared “Blackhawks Day” with special discounts offered for fans of the professional hockey team, as well as an appearance by the Blackhawks’ Street Team and an interactive display space with games and more on-site at the auction. The team’s namesake charity also offered an exclusive Chicago Blackhawks Experience package on Friday morning, which included an extensive list of VIP items and event passes. The excitement over the once-in-a-lifetime offering, combined with the knowledge of the amazing work the charity does, pushed bidding to an awesome high of $10,000.

The complete top 10 sales at the Mecum Chicago 2016 auction include (all individual sales reflect hammer prices):

1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429 Fastback (Lot S125.1) at $245,000
1967 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible (Lot S97) at $123,000
1988 Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet (Lot S101) at $100,000
2004 Rolls-Royce Phantom (Lot S69) at $90,000
1956 Chevrolet Nomad Resto Mod (Lot S138.1) at $85,500
1957 Ford Thunderbird E-Code (Lot S124) at $85,000
1970 Dodge Hemi Challenger R/T (Lot S96) at $80,000
1968 Shelby GT500KR Fastback (Lot S150) at $77,000
1968 Ford Mustang Convertible (Lot S112) at $70,000
1966 Shelby GT350H Fastback (Lot S123) at $137,500

For access to complete auction results and other member benefits, sign up for the free InfoNet service offered at Mecum.com. Mecum’s next classic and collector car auction will be a 1,000-car offering in Dallas, Nov. 2-5, followed by a 750-car auction in Anaheim, Calif., Nov. 17-19. The auction house will close out 2016 with an auction in Kansas City, Mo., Dec. 1-3, and then kick off the New Year with the world’s largest classic and collector car auction in Kissimmee, Fla., Jan. 6-15 featuring 3,000 vehicles. For more details on an upcoming auction, to consign a vehicle or to register as a bidder, visit www.mecum.com or call (262) 275-5050.

Post Views: 52