Mecum’s big Monterey 2024 sale promises much, judging by the cars already confirmed – but before that, the auctioneer is hosting two mammoth sales: the Florida Summer Special between July 10-13, and the Harrisburg 2024 sale between July 24-27.
We’ll be bringing you a round-up of all the Monterey sales in a few weeks’ time, so here we’re focusing on Mecum‘s next two sales, which largely feature US metal rather than European exotica. We’ve uncovered some rare US gems among the lots, as well as some Continental highlights, so we’ve picked out some of our favourites.
Florida Summer Special
Mecum’s Florida sale takes place at the Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Florida. Among the 1500 vehicles up for grabs is a 1954 Kaiser Darrin Convertible. Meanwhile, coming from the Orlando’s Finest Collection of ten cars, largely made up AACA Grand National-winning American automobiles from the 1940s and 1950s, this 1957 Ford Thunderbird Convertible is one of 196 F-codes built. Restored some time ago and part of a private collection for 30 years, it was awarded the Classic Thunderbird Club International Gold Award with 82.5 out of 83 points in authenticity and 225 of 227 points for workmanship. No estimate was available at the time of writing.
This 1984 Porsche Carrera 3.2 was converted to Strosek Mega Speedster specification by Fred Opert Racing in the 1990s. It features a Can-Can red-and-black leather interior with bucket seats, and comes with factory air-conditioning. No estimate had been released at the time of writing.
This 2005 Ford GT comes to market with just 610 miles on the clock, garnered by two owners. Kept in a climate-controlled atmosphere, it has all four available options – stripes, red calipers, BBS wheels and the McIntosh stereo. It also comes with an authenticated Carroll Shelby signature.
This 1999 Lamborghini Diablo VT is one of 252 Diablos built in 1999. Over the past 20 years it has been rebuilt from a 2005 front passenger-side accident using factory parts where available. Red Stag Motors was brought on to finish the project, and it wears 20,432km, equivalent to 12,695 miles.
This 1969 Plymouth Barracuda is one of 937 produced with the Mod Top option – which allowed Cuda owners to replace their vinyl tops with a floral print design – alongside a Sunfire yellow paint colour. The Mod Tops were made by the Stauffer Plastics Division, better known for making shower curtains and tablecloths. This particular car blends the 318ci V8 with an automatic transmission, and its yellow exterior is contrasted with a green interior.
Harrisburg
The Harrisburg event takes place between July 24-27, with 1200 vehicles expected to cross the stage at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex. This 1968 Chevrolet Corvette L89 Convertible is one of 624 built with the L89 aluminium cylinder heads, and was ordered new at Buster Miles Chevrolet in Heflin, Alabama. It features a matching-numbers M21 four-speed manual transmission, and comes with its original carbs and manifolds.
This 1957 Chrysler 300C Convertible is one of just 484 produced, and is presented in the rare colour combination of Gauguin Red with a cream leather interior. Coming from the Charles J Musto Collection, it was comprehensively restored by Whitehall Auto Restorations in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, and won the AACA National First Prize in 2006.
This 1964 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 is one 503 built, and first delivered to Garage Francorchamps in Brussels, Belgium. Chassis 5699 first came to the US in 1973 via Verne Vignolle of Los Angeles, before passing to John Dusi of Chino, California, in 1976. According to Mecum, it was restored by a prior owner in Kuwait.
This 1969 Mercury Cyclone Cale Yarborough Special is one of 617 built to celebrate Yarborough’s 1968 Daytona 500 victory, and one of only three produced with the 428 Super Cobra Jet V8, Drag Pack and four-speed manual transmission. According to the Marti Report, it’s the only one in this particular mechanical/physical combination, with the Cyclone spoiler package.
This 1962 Ghia L 6.4 is one of 26 built, and was sold new to a member of the Kuwait royal family. The first owner kept the car for 60 years, and it still wears its factory-correct Rosso Rubino exterior and English Saddle leather interior. It was imported to the US in 2023, and wears 28,888 miles.
For more information on the Florida sale, head here.
And for more information on the Harrisburg sale, head here.
