It’s one of the biggest motoring events of the year – let alone one of the biggest auctions – and the 37th Mecum Spring Classic in Indiana promises everything from exquisite Enzo-era Ferraris to single-digit muscle car rarities, and modern hypercars to pre-war vintage – and everything in between. A collection of mint-condition 1990s Hondas, anyone?
It all kicks off at the Indiana State Fairgrounds between May 10-18, 2024, with around 3000 lots crossing the stage. If you can’t make it there in person, MotorTrend, MotorTrend x Max and Discovery will be covering certain days live – more details on that can be found here.
In the meantime, we’ve picked out several lots that have caught our eye – what are you looking to bid on?
This 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB comes to market after being in the care of the same owner, Gordon Raymond of Northfield, Illinois, for 54 years. Chassis 06943 has always been a US market car, but it began life as a ‘short-nose’ model. As with many 275 GTBs, it was upgraded to ‘long-nose’ specification via the aftermarket; however, Raymond bought a new long-nose front end from Scaglietti, and had Josef Neumayer and Michael Gabler of North Shore Auto Rebuilders in Chicago perform the conversion. Over Raymond’s time with the car, it has been fettled with an upgraded master cylinder for the four-wheel disc brakes, a full-length TUBI exhaust system, F40 Competition safety harnesses and, recently, a new steering box; it now shows a little over 41k miles. No estimate had been released at the time of writing.
Further Enzo-era Ferraris include several of the cars that failed to find homes at previous Mecum sales, such as a one-of-four 1951 Ferrari 212 Inter 2+2 Berlina bodied by Ghia and one of 22 1963 Ferrari 400 Superamerica Coupé Aerodinamicos. Other Ferrari highlights include a 2011 599 GTO, a 1982 512 BBi Zegna Edition, a 1965 375 GTS convertible, a 1000-mile 1988 Testarossa in black and a 1967 330 GTC.
In what promises to be a fascinating sale to watch, this 2004 Porsche Carrera GT is being offered at no reserve. That’s somewhat brave, because many Carrera GTs have been rendered undriveable at least until summer 2024 by a recall. According to Porsche, the spherical joints that connect the wishbone suspension components on the front and rear axles of the Carrera GT may be susceptible to corrosion over prolonged periods of time. Porsche will replace the components free of charge, but owners have been waiting since April 2023. The timing of this auction at no reserve is a brave one for the seller; on the other hand, the new owner won’t – in theory – have long to wait until Porsche rectifies the problem. This particular car does have rarity on its side – it’s one of 41 Carrera GTs built for the US in black, and has covered less than 8000 miles. The estimate is between $1.5m and $1.7m.
Other Porsche highlights include another Carrera GT, this time a Seal Gray 2004 example, estimated at $1.6-1.8m, plus it’s another time around for a one-of-six 1959 Porsche 718 RSK centre-seat, estimated at between $3.2m and $3.6m.
This 1965 Shelby GT350 Fastback is one of 562 Shelby GT350s produced in 1965, and was used by Ford as a public relations car before being shipped to Fuller Ford, Inc. in Cincinnati, Ohio. It’s since been given a full rotisserie restoration, retains a copy of the original Shelby invoice and is listed in the Shelby Registry. No estimate had been released at the time of writing.
Other Ford highlights include a 2005 GT formerly owned by Kid Rock (one of five 2005 GTs up for grabs in the sale), one of 90 1970 Torino Twister Specials, five Mustang Boss 429s and three Boss 302s, one of which was bought by Chrysler and used to help develop the Plymouth AAR Cuda and the Dodge Challenger T/A.
This 2012 Lexus LFA is number 270 of 500 built and one of 38 finished in Absolutely Red. It’s one of just 23 LFAs that originally came to the US, and has covered 68 miles. It also features chromed wheels, a $2500 option when ordered new. It’s estimated at between $850k and $950k.
Other Japanese highlights include two 2021 Nissan GT-R T-Specs, a 1995 Nissan Skyline GT-R R33, a 1996 Toyota Supra MkIV manual, a 1998 Mitsubishi Lancer V GSR and a 1997 Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution.
Offered from the Jim Anderson Corvette Collection, this 1978 Chevrolet Corvette Silver Anniversary has covered 131 miles and is presented in original condition. Its window sticker, plus its protective plastic and cardboard elements, are still in place, and features a Mahogany interior – a rare combination with the exterior colour scheme. The NCRS has bestowed it the Dave McLellan Mark of Excellence, Performance Verification and Top Flight awards. It is also Bloomington Gold, Survivor and Benchmark Certified. No estimate was revealed at the time of writing.
Other Corvette highlights include one of 29 1964 convertibles with the J56 Special Sintered Metallic Brake Package, one of 25 1970 ZR1 convertibles, one of two 1967 L79 convertibles in Tuxedo Black with a white interior, one of 20 1972 ZR1 coupes and one of 17 L88 coupes built with an automatic gearbox.
This 2022 Bentley Bacalar Roadster is the last of 12 produced. It’s finished in Mulliner Extended Range Veridian with satin bronze exterior brightwork, including the radiator grille, exhaust and headlight surround, with carbonfibre bonnet vents, side mouldings, mirror caps and power humps. It’s covered 119 miles, and is estimated at between $2.2m and $2.7m.
Other British highlights include a 1974 Jaguar E-type S3 convertible that won Excellence in Class at the Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance, one of 166 1988 Aston Martin Vantage Volantes, a 1932 MG J2 and a 1950 MG TD Roadster.
This 1966 Shelby 427 Cobra Roadster is the last of the initial order of 427 Cobras. One of only approximately 155 True 427-powered Cobras, it’s also one only 100 427 road-going Cobras with factory dual carbs and Black drivetrains. It was first billed to Richardson Ford Sales in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Chassis no. CSX3200 retains its original body, so no hood scoop, side exhaust, roll bar or racing gas-filler cap. The engine, transmission and rear end are all original, too. No estimate had been released at the time of writing.
This 1989 Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary is one of just six to be painted in Giallo Fly yellow. Recently subjected to a gearbox overhaul and an engine-out service (including belts), it has covered 39,000km. No estimate had been released at the time of writing.
Other Lamborghini highlights include a 1988 5000 QV offered at no reserve, a 1984 Jalpa, a 2022 Huracan STO and a 2022 Aventador LP 780-4 Ultimae Roadster in green over gold.
This 1956 Ford Thunderbird convertible was purchased new by George and Peg Crockett, founders of Alamo Airways and owners of Alamo Field, the predecessor and site of today’s McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas. The roadster was pressed into service as a new aircraft-support vehicle, rapidly bringing supplies and, occasionally, fire-fighting equipment to and from aeroplanes.
However, this Thunderbird’s most important role was to help keep a Cessna 172 aloft for 64 days, 22 hours and 19 minutes in late 1958, setting the world record for the longest-duration continuous flight. The usual gasoline truck was out of commission, so George Crockett drove the Thunderbird along a dry lakebed near Primm, Nevada, keeping up with the plane above while feeding several five-gallon cans of gasoline, along with other supplies, up to it using a rope.
The car was sold along with all other Alamo Airways assets to Howard Hughes’ Hughes Tool Company in 1967, for which a tag is still present on the firewall. Hughes subsequently sold the car to his personal pilot, John Seymore, in the mid-1970s. Seymore passed it to a boat dealer in 1981, and it has resided in private collections since then, and has been frame-off restored. No estimate had been released at the time of writing.
And finally – here’s something for ultimate cred at RADwood. To the uninitiated, this 1997 Nissan Stagea would appear to be a slightly more aggressive-looking estate car. However, the Series 1.5 260RS Autech Version Wagon – to give it its full title – is a Nissan Skyline GT-R R33 with (moderately) sensible trousers on. Built by Autech, Nissan’s in-house tuning division, it uses the same twin-turbocharged RB26DETT 2.6L/276 HP inline six-cylinder engine, HICAS four-wheel steering and ATTESA four-wheel-drive system as the Skyline of the era.
This one is number 318 of 986 Series 1.5 260RS Autech Versions produced, and one of 196 in Dark Bluish Black Pearl as per the GT-R Registry. It has been sensitively upgraded with a front-mount intercooler, updated exhaust system, GReddy Profec B boost controller and coil-over suspension. No estimate had been released at the time of writing.
Further details:
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