Mecum’s huge Kissimmee, Fla. auction again found primo Mopars heading into the record books. The biggest number was generated by the legendary T5 Copper Hemi Charger Daytona, part of the Gary Edwards collection of 12 wing cars and other quality vehicles offered at no reserve. The $1.43M set a new Mecum record for this vehicle model, which is the lowest-mileage Hemi/4-speed in existence to still retain its factory driveline. Previous ownership included actor David Spade, NFL player Kevin Green and collectors Tim Wellborn and Otis Chandler. The #22 Bobby Allison Daytona racecar also soared to the exact same price on Saturday. The auction featured over 4,000 cars this year and had an extensive number of collections, many offered at no reserve.
. Other highlights included a number of other Hemi wing cars that topped with $500,000 from both the Edwards and Vince Lindley Collections and some very strong sales on other Mopars. To wit:
$308,000 ’70 AAR ‘Cuda – Stretching to far above the previous $240,000 record was an FM3 Moulin Rouge 1970 AAR Cuda, which had first been purchased new as a graduation gift for a young woman. A 4-speed car with a white interior in unrestored condition purchased directly from that family by Vince Lindley, the car generated considerable attention prior to crossing the block on Thursday, garnering this incredible number in spirited bidding.
$156.750 1969 383 Road Runner – A huge surprise on Wednesday was a freshly-restored 1969 Road Runner hardtop in Bronze Metallic with a tan interior, that climbed to an unexpected $150K+ sale. A 383 console-equipped automatic with an Air Grabber hood and Magnum 500 road wheels, the real interest getter on it appears to have been the stunningly-executed exterior paint and detailing. Otherwise, it was, well, a 383 Road Runner…
$550,000 1971 Hemi Charger – Coming in strong among the cars in the Edwards collection was perhaps the best-known of all 1971 Chargers, the Hemi R/T sunroof car that has appeared in many books and magazines. Painted red with a white vinyl top and interior and formerly of the Wellborn collection as well, this price was not an overly surprising amount for the highest MSRP ’71 Hemi Charger built (over $6,300 in 1971), but was a new record for this model year as well. A similarly-attractive car Wellborn himself offered on Saturday afternoon, done in Hi-Impact GY3 Citron Yella with a Six Pack, was also a record at $242,000. Ironically, both were automatics in a market that seems to be stronger with four-speeds.
COVERAGE COMING IN MOPAR ACTION MAGAZINE
