Mecum Auctions Heads to Glendale, Arizona, March 5-9
2,000 Classic and Collector Cars and 200 Road Art® Items to Cross the Block
After the close of another record-setting January with $300 million in collector car and vintage motorcycle sales, Mecum Auctions will be back at it again with another 2,000 classic and collector vehicles slated to cross the auction block at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, March 5-9. The host of The World’s Largest Collector Car Auction® has been staging its Arizona-based event since 2018 and has achieved exceptional success in the region, and 2024 is expected to see another exciting return to the Southwest with both headline-worthy collections and individual offerings populating the Arizona auction roster.
Private collections include one assemblage to be offered from the estate of the man behind the original design of the 1961 Ford Thunderbird, the late James Powers. The unique and eclectic group of vehicles includes a one-of-a-kind prototype 2004 Lincoln Mark X Convertible, the design of which he also played a part in developing.
One of the first 300 Corvettes ever built back in the model’s debut year of 1953 will join 26 other examples of “America’s Sports Car” as part of The Utah Corvette Collection, and all are consigned at no reserve. The car is number 129 of the 300 produced and is presented in the correct Polo White with Sportsman Red interior with power supplied by the 235/150 HP Blue Flame Six engine and Powerglide transmission. The Utah Corvette Collection spans every generation of the Corvette, with other noted units from the collection including a matching-numbers 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Z06/N03 that is one of 63 Z06/N03 Tankers produced in 1963 and an award-winning 1965 Chevrolet Corvette Big Tank Fuelie that is one of just 41 built and the only known one wearing Tuxedo Black.
A pair of Ferraris presented in majestic Rosso Corsa are also among the headlining lots consigned to the Glendale auction. The first of the pair is a 2003 Ferrari Enzo that is one of 111 imported to the U.S. and one of 400 produced in total; it’s Ferrari Classiche certified and will be offered with an accompanying Classiche Red Book. The second is a 1992 Ferrari F40 that is one of only 60 U.S.-spec cars produced in ‘92 and one of 213 total U.S.-spec cars produced for the F40 run; it wears chassis number 91097 and boasts a matching-numbers engine and gearbox.
For the custom enthusiasts is a two-time SEMA winner and Goodguys Street Machine of the Year winner: a 1969 Ford Torino Talladega GPT Special that was custom built by Rad Rides by Troy for land speed racer George Poteet. It was unveiled at the 2013 Detroit Autorama and later featured in the Universal feature film “Furious 7” with star Vin Diesel.
A 2002 Nissan Skyline GT-R M Spec Nür was imported from Japan to the U.S. in April 2023 and is one of 24 Skyline GT-R M-Spec Nür models with black paint. It was produced during the final evolution of the fifth-generation Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 with a special edition Nür twin-turbocharged 2.6L RB26DETT Inline 6-cylinder engine based on the N1 racing engine, and it also boasts a 6-speed manual transmission and original paint.
Among the noteworthy Road Art items consigned for Glendale are two custom-built 2018 F1 Simulators with full-size F1 car shells on platforms and triple-screen computers, a 2022 The Little Car Company Bugatti Baby II with chassis number 96 of 500 produced, and a 1940s Harley-Davidson Double-Sided Tin Sign that has The Authenticators Company (TAC) No. 006158.
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Wayne Carini’s 1969 Ford Torino Talladega GTP “Special”
One can always expect to see some very special cars at the annual Mecum Glendale auction in Arizona. This year’s event, held from March 5th-9th, is no exception. In addition to a Ferrari Enzo and F40, there will be Ford GT’s, an entire collection of classic Corvettes, and the usual Mecum mix of everything from pickup trucks to Rolls-Royces. Highline Autos was treated to an exclusive preview of Wayne Carini’s 1969 Ford Torino Talladega GTP “Special”. A Mecum “Main Attraction”, this car is lot # S123 and will cross the auction block lot on Saturday afternoon. As you may know, Wayne is the star of “Chasing Classic Cars”, an all-around great guy, and genuine car nerd. His Torino is truly a piece of rolling art. A two-time winner at SEMA, “Furious 7” movie car, and Goodguys Street Machine of the year, this Talladega is one-of-a-kind. It was hand-built in 2013 at Rad Rides by Troy for land-speed record holder George Poteet. Dressed in Whisky Brown and Daytona Sand, there are endless subtle but effective details. The rear end is 2 inches wider, the front was shortened by 3 inches, exterior trim is all billet and nickel-plated, cool NASCAR-style rivets are found around the windows and throughout the car. It’s clear that the overall look was inspired by the famous Holman-Moody stock cars from the late 1960’s. It’s powered by a monstrous Boss 429 and shifts gears though a beefy Tremec TKO 600 5-speed. The Chassis is by Art Morrison, the suspension is Corvette C5, and all of the other mechanical components are of the highest quality available. If you want to find out more, log onto www.mecum.com, if you want to own it, this is your chance. – Jeff M. Martin
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Bidder registration options start at $100 and can be completed online and on-site at the auction. For those unable to attend in person, enhanced remote bidding options are available, including both online and telephone bidding. General admission tickets are available for $30 per person, per day, and for $75 for a three-day pass; children 12 and younger receive complimentary admission. Doors open daily at 8 a.m. with the vehicle auction beginning at 10 a.m. and Road Art items to begin 30 minutes prior.
Mecum auctions are family-friendly events open to all registered customers and ticketed attendees, and the festival-like atmosphere of each auction ensures fun for the whole family. On-site dining options are available at State Farm Stadium as well, with a variety of culinary favorites and local cuisine served at food and beverage stands located throughout the facility.
For fans and followers who aren’t able to take part in the live auction action and enjoy the host of on-site amenities, portions of the auction will be broadcast live on MotortrendTV and MotorTrend+ featuring commentary from Mecum’s expert television hosts and auction-floor reporters.
For more information on Mecum Glendale 2024 and all other scheduled auctions, visit Mecum.com. Mecum’s website is updated daily with the latest consignments and includes detailed descriptions and photographs of the vehicles to be offered. For schedule information, to consign a vehicle or to register as a bidder for this and all Mecum events, visit Mecum.com, or call (262) 275-5050 for more information.
