The superlative Steve Todhunter collection of rare and low-mileage cars heads the docket for the third annual Mecum Glendale auction, March 18–20, at State Farm Stadium.
Seven fabulous Ferraris top the group, all in signature Rosso Corsa: a 2011 Ferrari 599 GTO (Lot S103), 1 of the 125 exported to the U.S., with just 175 miles; a 2016 Ferrari F12tdf (S105), with 449 miles; 1992 Ferrari 512 TR (S102) the Cavallino Classic XXIV 1st in Class, 2,017 miles; 2005 Ferrari 575M Superamerica (S104), Ferrari Classiche Red Book, 1,344 miles; 2001 Ferrari 550 Barchetta Pininfarina (S106), 1,497 miles, a 6-speed, number 4 of 448 produced; 2009 Ferrari F430 Scuderia Spider 16M (S107), 1,866 miles, 1 of 499 produced; and a 2018 Ferrari 812 Superfast (S108), 2,254 miles, with the 789-horsepower V-12.
Originally from rural Oklahoma, Todhunter was inspired early in his life by the automobile, explains Sam Murtaugh, vice president, marketing & presentation for the Walworth, Wisconsin-based company.
His father was a design engineer for Ford Motor Company, and Todhunter remembers watching, and sometimes assisting, him at the kitchen table as he repurposed odds and ends to create prototypes for auto parts. He recalls later opening the hoods of street Fords and recognizing those dinner-table parts in the engine bays.
With his father’s help, he purchased his first car, a 1970 Ford Torino. Mopar was next, with its classic muscle-car-era machines. Throughout his collecting career, he has owned some of the rarest and most desirable of American and imported classics; their rarity has proved their value through the decades.
As a career civil site contractor, he has built Accell Construction, Inc. which has been involved with the NASCAR Cup Series for many years. From 2011 to 2015, the company was a primary partner for Tommy Baldwin Racing, whose Alex Bowman, J.J. Yeley and Dave Blaney were some of the drivers piloting the Accell No. 36 car.
The part-time Scottsdale, Arizona, resident, began collecting and driving his next passion, Ferraris, on open desert roads. “There might be nothing better than the extreme contrast of Ferrari Rosso Corsa paint against the neutral tan desert backdrop,” he has said.
“Steve has sought out the premier example of each model he went after, and each has met strict criteria before joining the collection with lowest miles possible being an absolute must,” says Murtaugh.
Also in his superlative collection are a 2014 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series (S101), with 2,326 miles, 1 of only five produced in Fire Opal Red; a Saleen S7 Twin Turbo (S109) with 1,167 miles, 1 of only 14 twin-turbo models produced; 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 (S110), 805 miles, purchased new by Todhunter; 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon (S111), 793 miles, also purchased new by Todhunter; 1965 Shelby 427 Cobra FAM (S111.1), CSX1010, once owned by Paul Walker; and a 1969 Dodge Daytona (S112), a 440/375 horse with 4-speed.
Completing the collection are 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429 Fastback (LOT S113), 7,745 miles, KK No. 2401; 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429 Fastback (S114), KK No. 2337, 429 CI, 4-speed, Grabber Green; 2011 Ford Shelby GT350 (S115), 1,267 miles, 1 of 159 produced; and a 2009 Ford Shelby GT500 Super Snake (S116), 2,563 miles, 5.4L/800 horsepower, supercharged V-8, 6-speed. Three motorcycles will be offered: two Triumph 650cc, 4-speed 120R Bonnevilles, a 1966 (S117) and 1967 (S118) and a 1967 BSA Spitfire MkIII Special (S119), also 650cc, 4-speed.
Mecum Glendale 2021 will also feature 18 fine cars from the Napa Valley Collection, led by a 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 (F123), 1 of only 1,580 produced; a 1970 Oldsmobile 442 W-30 (F118), 1 of the 96 4-speed convertibles that year; 1972 Alfa Romeo Montreal Bertone Coupe (F121), aluminum DOHC V-8, 5-speed; 1966 Chevrolet Yenko Stinger Stage II (F119), number 50 of 100 produced that year; 1970 De Tomaso Mangusta (F120), 1 of 401 produced, S/N 8MA1118; and 1973 Alfa Romeo 1600 Junior Zagato Coupe (F122), 1 of only 12 known in the U.S.
“Dana Mecum and the entire team look forward to welcoming our consignors, buyers and automotive fans back to Glendale for our third annual event in the Valley of the Sun,” says Murtaugh. “Once again, we will be offering a stellar variety of American and European vehicles and a selection of vintage motorcycles.”
For those interested in consigning a vehicle or becoming a registered bidder for the auction, visit mecum.com or call 262.275.5050. Mecum’s website is updated daily with the latest consignments including detailed descriptions and photographs of the vehicles. To view the list, to consign a vehicle or to register as a bidder for this and all Mecum auctions, visiting mecum.com is a great place to start.
Gallery
