Mecum Auctions, Las Vegas, October 7-9, 2021

Since coming to Las Vegas a few years ago Mecum has established this venue as one of its more successful, turning in $20 million total sales and impressive sell-through rates consistently. In relative terms 2021 is a modest consignment of under 600 cars but it returned record average and median transaction values.

Part of that is where the collector car market is today, but part of it also reflects Mecum Auctions’ steady progression into selling the upper reaches of valuable cars.

Here are the numbers:

Year Cars Sold/ Offered Sale % Average Sale Median Sale Total $
2021 462/574 80.5% $43,600 $31,900

[73.2%]

$20,143,175
2020 149/200 74.5% $37,315 $27,500

[73.7%]

$5,559,950
2019           No Data
2018 635/865 73.4% $38,161 $26,400

[69.2%]

$24,232,175

Andrew Newton described 44 of the 574 cars in the sale. They’re sorted here by Marque and Model Year.

This report is late while some inconsistencies and duplications in the chassis numbers in the full docket were sorted out.


Lot # S148 1991 Acura NSX Coupe; S/N JH4NA1152MT001060; Black/Cream leather; Original, modified for competition or performance 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $88,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $96,800 – 2,977/270hp, 5-speed, aftermarket intake and exhaust, Motegi carbon wheels, Toyo tires, factory Bose cassette stereo. – Showing 13,080 miles but not a garage queen. The paint is definitely showing its age. There are a few dings in the wheels. Dirt and dust in the engine bay. The interior, though, looks very good. The low mileage is appealing but it’s modified and not particularly clean. It’s arguably better to buy a more carefully kept and unmodified car with a higher odometer reading. – Well, the Vegas bidders didn’t seem to think so. Even though a stock VTEC Honda engine is unburstable and higher mileage isn’t a real cause for concern with these cars, they fixated on the fact that it’s a first-year NSX with a five-digit odometer reading and bid it way up. Objectively better NSXs have sold for less than this.

Lot # S199 1941 American Bantam Model 65 Riviera Convertible Sedan; S/N 66359; Black/Red vinyl; Black cloth top; Older restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $27,000 – 50/23hp inline four, 3-speed, hub caps and trim rings, whitewalls, fender skirts, rear-mounted spare. – Represented with a $100,000 restoration finished just 185 miles ago. Shown at Amelia Island 2009, however, so those miles have probably been racked up slowly. The paint is not show-worthy, and there are several small chips in the fenders. The top is a bit dirty. Some of the red paint on the hub caps has come off. The interior, engine and chassis, though, look excellent. – Just because this Bantam had a $100,000 restoration doesn’t mean it’s a six-figure car. But it arguably does deserve a price closer to the $49,500 it sold for at RM St. John’s in 2013.

Lot # S83 1967 Austin-Healey 3000 Mk III Phase 2 Convertible; S/N HBJ8L40906; Blue/Dark Blue; Visually maintained, largely original 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $50,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $55,000 – 2,912/148hp, 4-speed, painted wire wheels, Michelin XZX tires, dual wing mirrors, woodrim steering wheel, original books, tonneau cover, tools. – Represented as matching numbers drivetrain. Tired, scratched original chrome. Repaint from 1974 holding up well for the most part but there are some light scratches and blisters throughout, especially on the right rear fender. Very good interior that looks all original. Unrestored underneath but quite clean and with a lot of recent servicing. Never fully restored because it never needed to be and a perfectly drivable, honest Big Healey. – Despite being prominently displayed at the front of the red carpet during the auction preview and despite its impressive level of consistent care and extensive recent service, this Healey didn’t do much on the auction block, bringing little more than driver money. Cars with needs have sold for more money, so this looks like one of the better bargains in Vegas this year. That said, Big Healey prices have been retreating relative to the rest of the collector car market over the past year and a half and this is another sign of them staying that way.

Lot # F177 1996 Bentley Turbo R SE 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N SCBZR14C1TCX58104; Black Garnet/Black, Wildberry leather; Unrestored original 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $34,000 – 6,748/385hp, automatic, tinted glass, wood interior trim, factory phone, books, tools, original window sticker. – One of 12 SE models delivered exclusively to the American market, and represented with 55,300 miles. Also represented with service records since 2005, including a $7,800 service 100 miles ago. The paint is a really cool color but it has enough detail scratching and swirling to be distracting. There are also several chips on the hood. Tidy underneath. Very good interior that looks nearly new and the colors are neat. Rare model, but buying a used 1990s Bentley with miles on it at auction is a risk that often springs a few unpleasant surprises later on. – This would have been a roughly $200,000 car when new, and that’s in 1996 dollars. Bentleys, however, depreciate like few other automobiles do and even very good Turbo Rs typically trade in the low-20s. This one’s rare SE designation and neat colors should certainly afford it a premium, but its mileage and age are significant and it could easily have sold at this price.

Lot # F188 1991 BMW 850i Coupe; S/N WBAEG2317MCB73827; White/Tan leather; Visually maintained, largely original 3 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $18,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $20,350 – 4,988/296hp, automatic, aftermarket wheels, sunroof. – Mileage not listed and no service history represented. Looks like it was repainted at some point a while ago and there is a small circular crack on the roof. There are also some paint flaws around the front bumper, and the rubber in between the bumper and hood is loose. Very clean interior, though. Cosmetically decent but mechanically, who knows. Being a big, old V-12 BMW, this is a pretty big roll of the dice. – And the Vegas bidders, wisely, didn’t wager too much on this gamble. On the surface it’s a cheap price for an 8-Series but it could turn into an expensive one fast. Unless the buyer is a BMW specialist this purchase is a high stakes bet that mechanically it will be better than the cosmetic indications imply, but this is Las Vegas.

Lot # S131 1970 Buick GS 455 Stage I Sport Coupe; S/N 446370Z110025; Bamboo Cream/Brown vinyl; Enthusiast restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $45,000 – 455/360hp, column shift automatic, front disc brakes, Rallye Ride Control, steel wheels with hub caps, Goodyear Polyglas tires, power bench seat, power windows, tilt steering column, tinted glass, tissue dispenser, 8-track, Protect-O-Plate documented. – Represented as a matching numbers two-owner car, sold new in California. Good older paint with one sloppy touch up on the tail, but the chrome and brightwork are aged and a bit tired. Fresh, nearly spotless engine bay. Excellent restored interior. A mostly very good, and quite well-equipped GS let down only by some cosmetic shortcomings. – This car was a no-sale here last year at a high bid of $56,000, which is a modest number for a good GS Stage 1. This offer, though, is even lower. “Why” is a mystery although the enthusiast restoration leaves some concerns for bidders. The seller might be wondering “why”, too, but the bidding progression isn’t encouraging.

Lot # S190 1977 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Coupe; S/N 6L47S7Q223636; Gold, Gold vinyl roof/Gold leather; Unrestored original 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $12,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $13,200 – 425/180hp, column shift automatic, wheel covers, climate control, cruise control, pushbutton radio, air conditioning, power everything. – Showing 32,030 believable miles. Tired chrome and brightwork with light pitting around the headlights. Well-kept original paint with just light general fading and some large chips in the paint. Lightly worn seats but otherwise very good interior. Solid and dry underneath. A well-preserved, delightfully Seventies Cadillac that has no real needs. – Somewhere else this Eldo could bring more, even much more, and this result reflects no premium at all for its preservation and the modest miles it is claimed to have covered. It is a good value at this price even if it has limited appeal.

Lot # F87 1948 Chevrolet Fleetmaster Station Wagon; S/N 5FKC11104; Dark Green, Wood/Brown vinyl; Older restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $48,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $52,800 – 217/90hp six, column shift 3-speed, hub caps and trim rings, whitewalls, spotlight, sun visor, roof rack, three-row seating, factory radio, dash clock, rear-mounted spare. – Represented as matching numbers. Solid, clean wood. Good older paint and brightwork with only a handful of blemishes and a tired-looking front bumper. Crack in the right front quarter window. Erratic fit and gaps on the doors, but that’s common on woodies. Very good interior other than a few fine cracks in the steering wheel. An older restoration but still grabs your attention. – Chevy is not noted for its wood-bodied station wagons but in 1948 they sold 10,171. A vanishingly small number of them survive and few if any are as good as this reasonably well-restored and maintained example. It brought a whopping great price for a ’48 Chevy, but one that reflects the rarity and distinctiveness of this example and its body style, the top of the heap for ’48 Chevys.

Lot # S161 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible; S/N VC55S041399; Coral, India Ivory/Coral, Dark Gray; White vinyl top; Older restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $82,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $90,200 – 265, Powerglide, wheel covers, whitewalls, boot cover, later cassette stereo. – Represented as having the same owner for the past 55 years and 1,380 miles since restoration. Replacement engine. Good older paint and chrome. Slightly erratic panel fit, particularly on the trunk. Some lightly scratched trim and brightwork, especially the door handles. Very good interior. Solid restoration done to appropriate standards for what it is. – This is a sound and decently presented ’55 Bel Air convertible, but nothing to brag about. Yet it brought a superior price that is difficult to reconcile with its equipment or condition.

Lot # S164 1957 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N E57S101919; Venetian Red/Red vinyl; Black top; Older restoration 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $87,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $95,700 – 283/270hp, dual quads, 4-speed, steel wheels with hub caps, both tops, radio delete. – Represented as matching numbers but with no other documentation or certification. Restored to high standards. Very clean, mostly fresh-looking engine bay other than fuel seeping from the carbs. Very good paint, chrome, and interior. Clean wheels and new tires. Well-done and well equipped. – And well-bought, too. With this equipment and in this condition, this ’57 could have been a six-figure car without being expensive.

Lot # S178 1965 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N 194675S116844; Glen Green, Glen Green hardtop/Black vinyl; Visually maintained, largely original 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $100,000 – 396/425hp, 4-speed, centerlock wheels, Falken tires, hardtop, side exhaust, power windows, teakwood steering wheel, AM-FM, Positraction, Protect-O-Plate documented. – Represented as a one-owner California car with 29,787 original miles. Tidy, partially restored engine bay. Good older paint and chrome aside from a chip in the driver’s door. Lightly scratched windshield frame. Good interior. Solid, visually maintained, largely original first-year big-block car. – The one-owner history is reassuring but the lack of any documentation other than the Protect-o-Plate is not. It is a $150,000 car with thorough documentation but the Mecum Las Vegas bidders didn’t venture into that minefield. In the end this result means nothing, except to confirm that thorough documentation supports superior prices.

Lot # F71 1970 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS 454 Coupe; S/N 138570B155829; Forest Green, Black vinyl roof/Green vinyl with cloth inserts; Recent restoration 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $39,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $42,900 – 454/360hp LS5, column shift automatic, Radial T/A tires, factory air conditioning, power bench seat, power windows, cruise control, original AM/FM radio. – From the Pacific Northwest collection. Tired original chrome but high quality fresh paint. Recently restored but not overly detailed engine. Scratch on the right front wheel. Good interior other than a stain on one of the seats. Recently restored and not perfect but better than many Monte Carlo SSs, which have been historically undervalued considering the performance they offered. – Sold for $39,600 at Mecum Indy in 2020, a good car with a seriously strong drivetrain. It’s not a surprise to see it bring a bit more today.

Lot # F62 1990 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 Coupe; S/N 1G1YZ23JXL5801608; Bright Red, Glass roof panel/Black leather; Unrestored original 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $28,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $30,800 – 350/375hp, 6-speed, Goodyear Eagle tires, tinted glass, original Delco Bose CD stereo, original window sticker. – Represented with 11,700 miles. Several light but obvious scratches on the roof. Several chips on the nose and hood, plus the rest of the finish has dulled slightly. The wheels look aged, but the engine and underbody are tidy. Clean, lightly worn interior. Not as immaculate as the mileage might suggest, but it’s still a solid, clean and well cared for first-year ZR-1. – This car sold at Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas in 2013 for $23,650 and then again at the same sale two years later for $21,450, both relatively modest results for such a low-mile car, even at the time. The car has covered fewer than 1000 miles since 2015. C4 ZR-1s are one of the few high-performance cars from the 1990s that’s still a tempting value for money. A $30,800 all-in price is about right for this one in today’s market, but it’s still a fraction of the price of a twin-turbo Supra, NSX or 911 in this condition.

Lot # S101.1 1996 Chevrolet Corvette GS Convertible; S/N 1G1YY3253T5600582; Blue, White stripe, Red hash marks/Red leather; Unrestored original 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $37,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $40,700 – 350/330hp LT4, 6-speed, Goodyear Eagle GS-C tires, CD stereo. – Represented with 24,600 miles. There is some detail scratching in the paint as well as a few chips on the front and on the mirrors. Wrinkling to the leather matches the age and mileage, but the rest of the interior looks good. A straightforward, lightly used GS. Clean enough to be proud of and used enough to drive around and enjoy without feeling guilty, as opposed to the numerous mothballed no-mile Grand Sports out there. – One of 190 one-year-only Grand Sport convertibles (there were also 810 coupes), this car sold at Barrett-Jackson West Palm Beach in 2013 for $44,000, at B-J Reno four months later for $41,800 and at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale two years later in 2015 for $34,100. It has done 2,600 miles since then. Grand Sport prices have grown somewhat since then, but like most C4s they’ve been static compared to other performance cars of the era and this similar price six years later is indicative of that.

Lot # T151 1997 Chevrolet Camaro SS 30th Anniversary Coupe; S/N 2G1FP22P4V2117493; Arctic White, Orange stripes/Arctic White leather; Unrestored original 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $13,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $14,850 – 350/305hp, automatic, Sumitomo tires, glass T-tops. Factory CD stereo. – One of 979 30th Anniversary Camaros built in 1997, but with 76,739 miles showing it was actually driven rather than put away as a collectible. It shows a few touch ups on the nose and hood but the paint is mostly solid. Some surface rust on the brakes and some dirt underneath. The interior looks very good for the mileage, especially the white seats, which show no scuffs and only minor wrinkles. Used, but always kept clean and inside. – GM sold quite a few limited-production F-bodies, many of them for Anniversaries like this one. Most of the ones we see at auction were treated as collectibles their whole lives and have low miles or even plastic still on the seats. Whether the bidders were turned off by this one’s higher odometer reading or whether it just went under the radar at no reserve on the first day of a three-day auction isn’t clear, but this is a surprisingly low price for it. Especially since the same car sold for $15,950 at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale earlier this year.

Lot # T77.1 1951 Crosley CD (Truck) Pickup; S/N 123396; Red/Red vinyl; Enthusiast restoration 3 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $14,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $15,400 – 44/27hp overhead valve inline four, 3-speed, hub caps, hood ornament, bucket seats, original radio, heater, chrome bumpers, propellor grille center, pinstriped dash. – Very old and dull budget respray. Wavy body sides. Good bumper chrome. Clean wood in the bed. Worn steering wheel but newer seat covers. Looks older restored underneath. A little shabby but not bad and obviously still cute. – So small it has limited use on weekend runs to the lumber yard or even the transfer station (aka, town dump) but practical enough at this price that none of that matters. The grandkids will love being taken for a ride in it, just don’t take it on the freeway.

Lot # S117 1974 DeTomaso Pantera GTS Coupe, Body by Ghia; S/N THGTPL07039; Ruby Red, Black hood and engine cover/Black; Visually maintained, largely original 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $130,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $143,000 – 351/350hp, 5-speed, Wilwood brakes, Pirelli tires, fender flares, air conditioning, power windows, tinted glass, aftermarket exhaust, tool kit. – Rare GTS. Represented with single family ownership and just 7,303 miles from new. Very long scratch on the front bumper. Decent older paint with some chips on a few panel edges. Very good original interior. Clean engine bay and underbody. Not a time capsule Pantera but close, and it would be hard to find a better preserved one than this. – Ford offered the 351-powered Pantera at Lincoln-Mercury dealerships in period, and in 1974 a sportier version with a hotter engine and wider wheels called the GTS was introduced to the US market. About 150 were sold here. The DeTomaso/Ford partnership ended that same year, so US-spec GTSs like this one actually have Ghia badges on the nose and horn button in place of DeTomaso. Once regarded as a poor man’s supercar, Panteras have come into their own as proper collectibles and the GTS with its low production number, higher specs and super-cool riveted fender flares is highly sought after. This price was reasonable given its impressive level of preservation and, while high for a Pantera, is still considerably less than a Ferrari or Lamborghini with similar performance.

Lot # T162 1973 Dodge Colt Coupe; S/N 6H23K35117167; Red, White vinyl roof/White vinyl; Visually maintained, largely original 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $12,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $13,200 – 1,597/83hp, 4-speed, Panasport wheels, BFG Touring T/A tires, Mitsubishi pushbutton radio, tow hitch (not sure what you could tow with it, though). – Purchased new in Canada as a dealer demonstrator. A clean car, and although the 29,316 miles showing aren’t represented as original, it would be a believable claim. Very good older repaint and very good, possibly original chrome. A few minor smudges on the roof vinyl. Good partially restored interior. Unrestored with light oxidation and dirt underneath. Built by Mitsubishi for Dodge, it’s from the beginning of Chrysler’s long, fruitful fling with the Japanese company, and when was the last time you saw a Colt anywhere near as clean as this? – A neat little car, but at the end of the day it is just a Dodge Colt and it will never be all that valuable. Somebody fell in love with it back in June at Barrett-Jackson’s Las Vegas sale, where it sold for $23,650. This number at Mecum seems more realistic, and is a massive haircut for the seller who threw the dice in June and came up snakeyes.

Lot # S208 1989 Ferrari 328 GTB Berlinetta, Body by Pininfarina-Scaglietti; S/N ZFFXA19A2K0080029; Rosso Corsa/Tan leather; Unrestored original 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $160,000 – 3,185/270hp, 5-speed, Continental tires, later CD stereo. – Showing 9,977 miles. Represented with a belt service in 2019. Some dirt and grime in the engine bay but not bad. Good but not immaculate original paint. Clean wheels. Very good interior. Low miles, classic colors, good presentation, and a somewhat rare fixed roof GTB. – This 328 GTB was a $134,000 no-sale on Bring a Trailer last year and a $125,000 no-sale through Gooding’s Geared Online 2021 auction. It was then withdrawn from Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale this year. This reported high bid in Vegas should have been more than enough to see it off to a new home. It wasn’t clear what the seller’s reserve is, but it’s too high, even taking the 9,977 miles into account.

Lot # F73 1963 Ford Galaxie 500 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 3D63B108499; Red/Red vinyl; Older restoration 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $28,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $30,800 – 406/385hp B-code, Holman and Moody air cleaner, floor shift 4-speed, spinner wheel covers, Firestone blackwall tires, bench seat, original AM radio. – From the Pacific Northwest collection. Sound but older paint and chrome with light scratching. Slightly dull exterior trim, and the spears down the body sides don’t quite fit flush. Good, lightly worn interior. Light dirt and wear underneath. A straightforward older and lightly used body-off restoration of a well-equipped Galaxie. – This car was a $26,000 no-sale at Spring Auburn 2019 and a $26,000 no-sale at Leake Scottsdale last year. It then sold for $27,500 (on a $25,000 hammer bid) at the just barely pre-lockdown Mecum Glendale last year. It’s hard to argue with four very similar prices in barely two years.

Lot # S151 1965 Ford Mustang Convertible; S/N 5F08F116966; Raven Black/Red vinyl; White vinyl top; Visually maintained, largely original 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $38,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $41,800 – 260/164hp, 3-speed, spinner wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, power top, original AM radio, original owner’s manual. – Represented as a graduation present for the original and current owner. One repaint and an older replacement top but otherwise all original. Some dirt and oxidation underneath but consistently maintained and no real cause for concern. Sound paint. Pitting around the rear window frame and surface rust on the screws. Very good upholstery and mostly clean gauges and switchgear, but there is pitting around the shifter and significant fading on top of the dash. Unremarkable equipment and really just a used unrestored `65 Mustang, but the one-owner history at least distinguishes it from the gaggle of other ’65s out there. – Distinguishes it enough to bring restored car money, apparently. At this price it’s far too expensive to restore, but that’s probably just fine. Almost no matter how you measure it, the 1965 Mustang is the most popular classic car in the United States, so people do all sorts of things with theirs and few people will judge, even if you overpaid a bit. The buyer here probably just thought the original-owner graduation present story was neat and recognized that it’s unusual to see such an original 260 3-speed convertible. One question should be at the back of the buyer’s mind, however: A high school graduate in 1965 drove this time capsule only 91,236 miles in a half century? Not any 1965 high school graduate I ever knew.

Lot # T67 1987 Ford Bronco II 1/2 Ton Sport Utility Vehicle; S/N 1FMCU14T0HUC47966; Cement, Red pinstripe/Red cloth; Truck restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $11,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $12,650 – 177/140hp V-6, automatic, bucket seats, woodgrain dash, Pioneer cassette stereo, power windows, air conditioning, rear-mounted spare. – Restored with new paint, glass, A/C, radiator, water and fuel pumps, shocks, and more. Bumpers are original but they look fine, while the paint looks fantastic. There is some sloppiness around the window seals but it’s forgivable. Not fully taken apart and redone underneath but the chassis is clean. Excellent interior. The Bronco II was most people’s least favorite, but the badge has so much cachet now that even these are getting serious money pumped into then. – The Bronco hype is passe but there are still Broncos like this out there that have had beaucoup dollars spent on quick “auction car” restoration and have missed the sweet spot. This is an enjoyable Bronco II that will reward its new owner with a practical weekend driver for errands at a modest price at a time when new vehicles of all types are in short supply and have exaggerated equipment and sticker prices.

Lot # S80 1993 Ford Mustang 5.0 SVT Cobra Hatchback; S/N 1FACP42D0PF141857; Vibrant Red/Gray leather; Unrestored original 2+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $64,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $70,400 – 302/230hp, 5-speed, original Goodyear tires, fog lights, power windows, air conditioning, CD stereo, original window sticker. – Represented as a one-owner car and showing 353 miles. Still has the window sticker in place and there is plastic still on the seats and even the shift knob. The paint and underbody could stand a detailing and you probably couldn’t drive it very far if at all, but this is a first-year SVT Cobra still in the wrapper. – Bought less as a car and more as a full-scale version of a toy still in the box. It’s a lot of money for a Fox-body Mustang but these kinds of numbers for in-the-wrapper high-performance models like the SVT Cobra have become familiar at big muscle car-heavy auctions like this. If the car had a few nicks and scratches and a couple more zeroes on the odometer it might have sold for half this much. This is a huge premium for originality on a car that can’t be driven much more than on and off transporters and showfields without taking a monumental value hit.

Lot # T114.1 1995 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra Convertible; S/N 1FALP45D8SF221928; Black, Black hardtop/Tan leather; Unrestored original 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $17,250 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $18,975 – 302/240hp, 5-speed, hardtop, Continental tires, rear spoiler, factory cassette stereo, power windows, air conditioning. – From the last year for the more desirable 5.0L Cobra. Rare hardtop. Represented with 48,150 miles. Mostly good paint with a handful of chips and scratches on the body plus several more on the hardtop. Clean wheels and tires. Very good interior with hardly any wear. A solid well-kept fourth gen Cobra with plenty of life left in it. – This car sold for $13,125 on Bring a Trailer in November 2020. Here in Vegas it hammered not sold at $15,000 on the block but was later reported to have changed hands for $18,975. Either number is strong for a ’95 Cobra which, like most fourth gen Mustangs, isn’t a particularly valuable car. But even though this is a top of the market price, it still represents a decent amount of performance per dollar.

Lot # S160 2006 Ford GT Coupe; S/N 1FAFP90S06Y400362; Tungsten Grey, Gray stripes/Ebony leather; Unrestored original 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $340,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $374,000 – 330/550hp, 6-speed, all four options, (stripes, painted calipers, BBS wheels, McIntosh stereo). – Represented with 7,000 miles so it has been driven a bit by Ford GT standards. The only signs of wear or age are a few, small stone chips on the nose. – This was the most expensive car at Mecum Vegas this year. It sold for $291,500 at Leake Tulsa in 2016 and $330,000 only a few months ago also in Tulsa, but GTs have been doing very well lately in both online and live auctions, so the seller may have seen the big numbers for GTs in Monterey and decided to try their hand at a quick flip. Including fees they didn’t get much ROI, but the higher number in Vegas still shows how popular GTs are at the moment. This price is actually at the lower end of the spectrum (chalk it up to mileage), since several others have brought over 400 grand over the summer.

Lot # S196 1968 Jaguar XKE S1.5 Coupe 2+2; S/N 1E77928BW; Red/Black leather; Enthusiast restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $55,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $60,500 – 4,235/246hp, automatic, centerlock wire wheels, Dunlop tires, pushbutton radio. – Represented as matching numbers. Fitted with the more attractive but incorrect covered headlight hood (bonnet) from Series I. Solid older chrome. Good newer paint but shows water spots and could use a detailing. Solid mostly original, well-preserved interior that was wisely left alone. Never fully restored underneath but has had serious attention when necessary. Not the most desirable configuration on an XKE with the auto and stretched 2+2 rear end, but a decent car. – Bid to $44,444 on Bring a Trailer back in March of this year but didn’t sell. That was surprising since $40k or so for a 2+2 automatic is perfectly reasonable, so over 60 at Mecum Vegas was really something. Its placement on the red carpet in the middle of the venue with the most foot traffic certainly helped, but only explains some of the big result here.

Lot # T177 1956 Lincoln Premiere 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N 56WA31779L; Amethyst/Amethyst, Gray; Older restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $26,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $28,600 – 368/285hp, automatic, wheel covers, whitewalls, Town and Country radio, power windows, dual mirrors, rear seat speaker, dash clock. – Good older paint and chrome. Very light pitting and scratching around some of the window frames. Uneven door gaps. Tidy underneath. A few light scuffs on the seats but mostly clean interior. An honest older restoration in eye-catching [sic] colors. In 1956 it would be seven years before Mary Kay Cosmetics was born, but this could be a classic award car. – This car has been cleaned up a bit since 2016, when it was an incomplete restoration and sold for $20,900 at Spring Auburn and $23,100 at Hershey. Values for 1950s American cars haven’t done a whole lot since then, and this result is a sensible reflection of the attention it has gotten since it was last seen and the limited appeal of four-doors. The seller should be rejoicing at this price.

Lot # F29 1960 Mercedes-Benz 220SEb Convertible; S/N 12803011002919; Cream/Blue leather; Older restoration 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $102,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $112,750 – 2,195/134hp, column shift 4-speed, wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, fog lights, boot cover, Becker Europa radio, dash clock, wood dash and window trim. – Dull, lightly scratched chrome. Good older paint with a long scratch on the tail. Even gaps and panel fit. Very lightly worn leather front and back. Newer carpets. Original gauges but redone wood. Older restored underneath. A solid 220SE, restored a while ago and lightly used since. The chrome is a letdown, but on a nice day on a back road with the top down, nobody will notice or care. – A desirable, stylish and enjoyable car. It’s no 280SE 3.5 Cab but at this price it doesn’t have to be and is a good value in this transaction.

Lot # F169 1979 Mercedes-Benz 450SL Roadster; S/N 10704412053277; Medium Red/Black; Cosmetic restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $17,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $19,250 – 4,520/180hp, automatic, Michelin tires, both tops, climate control, aftermarket Sony CD stereo. – Sold new in Alberta, Canada and showing 128,567 km (79,888 miles). Represented as a two-owner car with the second owner keeping it from 1985 until this year. Cosmetically restored in the 1990s and again more recently. The bumper plastic looks good but the chrome is heavily scratched, and that contrasts harshly with the relatively fresh, high-quality repaint. Heavy scratches on the window frames as well. Excellent interior with newer-looking seats and carpets. The wheels are either new or restored. Undercoating on the chassis and minimal dirt or wear. Condition varies widely on R107s, but even though this one has been driven regularly it was always well cared for and is well above average for one of these SLs. It will be a rewarding Sunday cruiser. – R107s are solidly built, comfortable cars that for a generation symbolized success, and Mercedes built them for a long time so there are plenty still on the road. It’s only within the past five or six years that people really started to view them as collector cars. This is a fair but somewhat modest price (maybe discounted somewhat for the metric speedo, which will take some getting used to), and it’s hard to imagine the car will ever be worth any less than this.

Lot # S121 1966 Oldsmobile Cutlass 4-4-2 Convertible; S/N 338676Z121731; Red/Red vinyl; Black top; Older restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $47,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $51,700 – 400/360hp, L69 Tri-Power carbs, M21 4-speed, 3.55 limited slip, narrow whitewalls, boot cover, Hurst shifter, factory air conditioning, power steering, power brakes. – Represented as one of 240 1966 4-4-2 convertibles. Body-off restored reportedly just 371 miles ago but doesn’t look that fresh. The engine bay looks immaculate but the paint shows fine detail scratching and the tires are old. Light pitting on the mirror. Good interior but the shifter, console, steering wheel and gauges are original and showing some age. A solid, well-equipped early Cutlass 4-4-2 but it isn’t quite the show car that the listing suggests. – Tri-Power GTOs are a dime a dozen compared with similar induction systems on 4-4-2s and suitably documented as as-built this would be a six-figure car. But it isn’t documented and the bidders conservatively assumed it’s a 400/350hp 4-4-2 with a rare induction system retrofit. Even taking that assumption into account, however, this is a choice, rare 4-4-2 bought for an overlooked bargain price.

Lot # S88 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass Rallye 350 2-Dr. Hardtop Holiday Coupe; S/N 332770M254200; Sebring Yellow, Black stripes/Black vinyl; Enthusiast restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $40,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $44,000 – 350/310hp, M20 4-speed with Hurst shifter, Firestone Wide Oval tires, power front disc brakes, rear spoiler, dual mirrors, bench seat, Sunpro under dash gauges, W-31 badges. – Represented as matching numbers. Decent older repaint. The black stripes on the hood are a little faded and the yellow has lost some shine. Some heavy scratches in the window frame and visible scratching on the rear glass. Not represented as restored but the engine bay and underbody have new parts and fresh finishes. Very good interior. A relatively rare and well-equipped Rally 350, never fully redone all at once but had major restorative work done at various points in its life. – It’s the 4-speed that underpins the bidders’ opinion of its value while the balance of the lighter 350 engine goes a long way to moving its value closer to the big block 4-4-2s. This result is generous for its condition and, except for the limited audience who might appreciate the lighter small block engine, is a notable premium.

Lot # S100.1 1937 Packard Twelve-Series 1508 Touring Limousine; S/N 1035362; Packard Blue/Black leather in front, Gray cloth in back; Older restoration 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $65,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $71,500 – 473/175hp V-12, 3-speed, hub caps and trim rings, whitewalls, dual enclosed sidemount spares with mirrors, cormorant mascot, Trippe Safety lights, suicide rear doors, banjo steering wheel, division window, robe rail, wood dash and window trim, rear luggage rack. – Restored in 2000. AACA Junior First, Senior First, Best Packard and Grand National winner along with several other concours awards. The paint has been buffed a few too many times ahead of shows. The luster is gone and it shows light scratching and swirls. A few dents in the left running board trim and the rubber on the running boards is wavy. Excellent interior. Tidy underneath. Orderly engine compartment with use and age evident from some leaks and dribbles. No longer a show winner, but a repaint would make a world of difference and this is still a stately, imposing automobile even as it sits. – An elegant, imposing and reasonably powerful limited production Packard with only 1,300 Twelves built in 1937. This is a prestigious CCCA Full Classic ™ eligible for any of the club’s events and tours. This is a reasonable result for its style, specifications and condition.

Lot # T175 1954 Packard Cavalier 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N M402437; Light Blue, White roof/Blue cloth; Older restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $28,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $30,800 – 327/185hp L-head inline eight, automatic, wheel covers, wide whitewalls, hood ornament, dual mirrors, fender skirts, pushbutton radio. – Good older paint and chrome with a chip in the left front and some runs in the drip rails but no other significant flaws. Fully restored and lightly used underneath. Erratic panel gaps. Long crack in the left front window. Very good interior. Fully restored a while ago at a cost that’s probably more than this car will ever be worth. – The Cavalier had upgraded appointments from the Clipper but otherwise was a pedestrian Packard as the company struggled to maintain its fading reputation for quality and luxury. One look at this Cavalier is enough to see that the effort was not a success and this is heroic money for a dull, uninteresting, mundane sedan, arguably sufficient to buy at least two similar cars.

Lot # S147.1 1921 Paige 6-66 Larchmont II Sport Touring; S/N 130891Z; Dark Green, Black fenders/Black vinyl; Black top; Older restoration 3 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $32,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $35,200 – 331/66 ALAM hp six, 3-speed, wood spoke wheels with Paige hub caps, MotoMeter, woodrim steering wheel, dash clock, rear-mounted spare with cover. – Tired old paint and brightwork. Severe cracking on the tail. Cracking in the Paige badge on the nose. Scuffed up running boards. Clean, tight-fitting top. Decent interior. A few dents in the right rear fender. Older restored underneath. Any Paige is rare and a dual cowl Sport Tourer is special, but this one shows quite a bit of wear and tear. Still usable for casual weekend drives or tours. – In performance and style this is far more car than many of its contemporaries but brought little more than “obscure car” money. With 66 ALAM horsepower it is capable of keeping up with modern traffic, if not stopping with it and the presentation is disappointing but much too good to subject to another restoration. It is decent value for the money.

Lot # S110 1966 Pontiac GTO Royal Bobcat Convertible; S/N 242676P226476; Starlight Black/Black vinyl; Black vinyl top; Older restoration 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $167,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $184,250 – 389/360hp Tri-Power with Royal Bobcat conversion, 4-speed, Hurst centerlock wheels, BFG Silvertown red line tires, 3.55 Safe-T-Track, woodrim steering wheel, wood shift knob, power driver’s seat, power steering, power brakes, console, PHS documents. – Represented as matching numbers. Excellent paint and chrome. The top is a little wrinkled and dirty but not bad. Sharp-looking wheels. Fresh interior. Fresh and clean but not overly detailed engine bay. The rocker trim pieces are scratched and there is a small dent on one side. Body-off restored but not overdone and well-equipped. – The Royal Bobcat treatment was a dealer-installed setup offered by Royal Pontiac outside of Detroit that featured higher compression and other tweaks for more power over Pontiac’s factory Tri-Power setup, rumored to be 30-60 more ponies. They are appreciated by Pontiac fans for their superior performance and rarity. This result represents a 25% or so premium in value even taking the triple black livery and 4-speed into account. That is handsome, but the new owner got a brag-worthy GTO for the money.

Lot # S111 1978 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Hardtop Coupe; S/N 2W87Z8N157779; Black, Gold/Red cloth; Unrestored original 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $65,000 – 400/220hp, 4-speed, WS6, snowflake wheels, Goodyear Polysteel tires, rear window slats, mud flaps, T-tops, 8-track, original window sticker, PHS documents. – The 9,881 miles showing are represented as actual. Unrestored but tidy and maintained underneath. Newer decals but the paint underneath looks original. There are a few buffed through spots and some mild crazing on the rear. Excellent interior. Scratching around the window switches is the only part that doesn’t look new. A remarkably well-kept and desirably equipped Bandit-era Trans Am with a 4-speed. Too good to restore. – The reported high bid includes all the premium necessary for this car’s great equipment and stellar preservation, and should have been taken.

Lot # T116 2002 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am SLP Firehawk Coupe; S/N 2G2FV22G322136162; Black/Black leather; Unrestored original 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $20,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $22,000 – 346/345hp, 6-speed, Firestone Firehawk tires, T-tops, 3.42 limited slip, Monsoon CD stereo. – Represented as a one-owner car with 16,714 miles. Number 732 of 1,300 Firehawks built in 2002, the Firebird’s final year. Good but not immaculate original paint. The wheels and brakes look aged. Significant scratching on the rear glass. Significant wrinkling to the leather but otherwise perfect interior. Not as well-preserved as the mileage and single owner suggest but still a cool, lightly used Firehawk. – Built by SLP Engineering (who also did the fourth generation Camaro SS) but sold at Pontiac dealerships, the SLP Firehawk was based on the Firebird Formula from 1991-97, and from 1999 on could be had in either Formula or Trans Am trim. Engine and handling upgrades were significant and Firehawks are quite rare compared to the mass-produced Firebirds they’re based on, but you’d only have to stretch the budget a few grand and exercise a little more patience to snag a Firehawk over a regular old Trans Am. This car in Vegas was a great buy at this price, with a ton of performance per dollar and in collector-grade condition.

Lot # S25 1976 Porsche 914 2.0 Targa; S/N 4762903531; Silver/Black vinyl; Visually maintained, largely original 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $21,000 – 1,971/84hp, 5-speed, store brand tires, cassette stereo. – Final year 914. Good older repaint other than some prep issues and blisters around the windshield. The front bumper is clean but doesn’t fit on the body straight. The headlight doors sag in a little in the front. Original wheels that could use a refurbishment. Tidy, mostly unrestored interior. Original but maintained engine bay, and unrestored but tidy underbody. Treated well but never restored or had a ton of money put into it, which makes sense as 914s were just cheap sports cars until recently. – This reported high bid is #3 driver money but the car is a little bit better than that. It also sold for $27,500 at Mecum Monterey only a few months ago and was bid to $20,000 at Mecum Dallas a month ago. Holding out for more here makes perfect sense, although fees and transport costs will add up quickly if the seller decides to keep chasing every last bid with Mecum. The Monterey bidder paid too much, should recognize it and take a realistic offer like this.

Lot # T68 1980 Porsche 924 Coupe; S/N 92A0433231; Monaco Blue, Red pinstripe/Black; Visually maintained, largely original 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $15,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $16,500 – 1,985/110hp, 5-speed, phone dial wheels, Kumho tires, sunroof, air conditioning, power windows, JVC cassette stereo. – Showing 35,191 believable miles that are represented as actual. Clean wheels. Mild scrape on the bottom front lip. Paint looks original, and quite good. The plastic rear spoiler is a little dry and dull but not bad. Excellent all-original interior. Remarkably clean underneath. Very, very few 924s have been so well and consistently kept as this. It’s a great example. – Like 914s, 924s suffer from an identity problem. They were originally designed in a joint venture with Volkswagen, were built in an Audi factory, and came with a coarse, buzzy, water-cooled 2.0-liter Audi engine under the hood. Even compared to the “cheap” Porsches (914s, 944s, Boxsters) they aren’t worth much at all. But they make a simple, fun first Porsche and this one has been treated like a more valuable car. It was withdrawn this year from Mecum Monterey, where it would have gotten more Porschephile eyes on it and probably would have brought more money, but this is still a strong, sound price for it.

Lot # S155 1995 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet; S/N WP0CA2998SS341533; Polar Silver/Red leather; Black cloth top; Unrestored original 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $65,000 – 3,601/270hp, 6-speed, Continental tires in back and Toyos up front, aftermarket Pioneer CD stereo. – Represented as a one-owner car and showing 22,667 believable miles, but no service history represented. Mostly good paint, but there are several large scratches on the left front fender. Clean top. Lightly worn seats. Tidy engine bay and underbody. A used 993 Cab and, cosmetically at least, a good one. – Being the last of the air-cooled 911s, 993s are particularly desirable even in base Carrera form like this one, but a $65,000 high bid for a used one like this is seriously generous. There’s no reason why it shouldn’t have gone to a new home here.

Lot # S53 1967 Siata Spring Convertible; S/N 959721; White, Gray, Silver/Vinyl with pattern cloth inserts; Recent restoration 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $6,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $6,600 – 843-cc Fiat four with single Weber carb, 4-speed, painted Borrani wire wheels, rear-mounted spare, wood dash, woodrim steering wheel. – Rare Siata Spring and the last model built by the company. Essentially just a Fiat with a retro body on top, it’s a far cry from the gorgeous Siata roadsters of the 1950s. Good paint but dull brightwork. The grille surround chrome is a little wavy. A little grubby underneath. Lightly worn seats. A cute enough little car that would make a neat beach cruiser and could fit into parking spaces that your VW Thing can’t. – Società Italiana Auto Trasformazione Accessori, aka SIATA, always borrowed heavily from the Fiat catalogue but built some of the most gorgeous small sports cars of the 1950s. Siata’s glory days were way behind it by the end of the 1960s, however, and the Spring was the final nail in the company’s coffin. Siata was bankrupt by 1970. A silly thing with a pointlessly huge grille (the Spring is based on the Fiat 850, a rear-engined car), the Spring nevertheless appeals to people who love automotive eccentricities. And unlike some eccentric cars, the Spring is very affordable and prices aren’t much different than the Fiat it’s based on. This one sold at Bonhams’ “Quail” online auction last August for just $6,720 and brought essentially the same price a year later. The consignor is well rid of it at this price.

Lot # S33 1972 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ43 Soft Top 4×4; S/N FJ4325925; Teal/Gray vinyl; Tan top; Truck restoration 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $25,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $27,500 – 3,878/155hp, 3-speed, winch, rear-mounted spare. – Represented with new paint, interior, tires and top, but only the seats actually look new. The paint has several runs and cracks in it and the top has scuffs and stains in several spots. Surface rust is poking through on the door handles. Older restored chassis with some dirt and oxidation. Light scratches in the quarter windows. Tidy engine bay. An old, quick truck-quality restoration on an early long wheelbase FJ. Not gorgeous but usable, and this is a neat color. – Vintage Land Cruisers didn’t do all that well in Vegas this year. Of the five consigned just two sold (they were no reserve) and this one was the most expensive. It’s still a modest result for an FJ-43 in flawed but usable and presentable condition, and the buyer should be satisfied.

Lot # S69 1970 Volkswagen Beetle 2-Dr. Sedan; S/N 1102582487; Yukon Yellow/Brick Red vinyl piped in White; Cosmetic restoration 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $16,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $17,600 – 1,585/57hp, 4-speed, hub caps, modern radial tires with whitewall inserts, roof rack, later cassette stereo. – Good older paint with a few chips and a little bit of orange peel. Scuff near the left taillight. Good bumper chrome but the headlight bezels and marker lenses look tired. Tidy underneath. Excellent upholstery but aged original dash and steering wheel. A decent Beetle restored to Beetle standards. – Sold for $9,900 at Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2015. Its cosmetic restoration was a lot fresher at the time, but classic Beetles are worth a lot more these days than they were six years ago. $17,600 for it in 2021 makes just as much sense as $9,900 did in 2015.

Lot # S144.1 1971 Volkswagen Transporter (Van) Riviera Campmobile Station Wagon; S/N 2312209721; White/Beige vinyl; Recent restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $59,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $64,900 – 2,054-cc engine with dual Webers, 4-speed, hub caps, narrow whitewalls, fog lights, front-mounted spare with cover, original pushbutton radio, fridge, table, window curtains, pop-up camper. – Fresh paint but there are some noticeable runs (my body man pal Bob Fleischmann called them “viscosity checks”) and some orange peel on the roof. Fresh wood floors, wood door panels and upholstery. Clean windows. Restored underneath. Tidy engine bay. Has a ton of stickers in the rear window that they probably should’ve removed before coming here. Very charming and more than clean enough to enjoy as a beach trip cruiser and casual camper. Plus, even though it’ll never exactly be fast, at least it can get out of its own way with the enlarged, Weber-fed engine. – This is a choice surf wagon that will look great parked along California 1 or on Cape Cod during the surfing season. It’s expensive, but less than the earlier and less practical Type 2 Vanagons bring these days.

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