April 2010
1967 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe, 427/400 HP w/ Air, Original and Unrestored
The Time is Now.
Consign by May 1st to Maximize Marketing Opportunities.
JUNE 25-26
@ Bloomington Gold Corvettes USA Pheasant Run Resort • St.Charles, IL
400 CORVETTES
Watch Mecum Auctions Every Saturday Night on HD Theater
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BUYERS
SELLERS
Buy and Sell with Mecum for the Best Value. • MECUM offers and sells more collector cars than any other auction house. • MECUM customers (buyers & sellers) saved over $8 Million in ‘09. • MECUM saves buyers & sellers 8% or $8000 per $100,000 of business. • MECUM buyer commission is 6%, major competitors 10%. • MECUM seller commission is 6%, major competitors 10%. • MECUM puts the $$$ where it really counts: in your pocket.
SURPRISE
Did you know...? Mecum sells more cars annually than any other collector car auction house!
APRIL 2010
Collector Car Auction News from MECUM AUCTIONS
CONTACT
MECUM AUCTION?
Via Mail, E-mail, Phone or Fax: Mecum Collector Car Auctioneers 950 Greenlee Street Marengo, Illinois 60152-8261 Website: www.MECUM.com Office: (815) 568-8888 Fax: (815) 568-6615 E-mail: info@mecumauction.com
SELL A VEHICLE
AT A MECUM AUCTION?
Download a “Request for Position” form today. Visit www.MECUM.com. Click on the Buy/Sell tab at the top of the home page to download all forms. Print out and fax completed forms to 815-568-6615. Be sure to fill out separate forms for each vehicle when requesting positions.
BUY A VEHICLE
AT A MECUM AUCTION?
Mecum provides three ways to become a registered bidder and purchase vehicles at our auctions. In addition to conventional onsite bidding (recommended), we also offer absentee services to bid online or via the telephone. For complete bidder registration information, visit www.MECUM.com, click on the buy/sell tab at the top of the home page. For any questions contact the bidder department at 815-568-8888.
Mecum Auctions has been specializing in the sale of collector cars for over 23 years, and has become America’s largest Collector Car Auction Company offering nearly 5,000 vehicles per year. With auctions spanning coast to coast, Mecum is able to provide the utmost in customer service while giving both buyers and sellers the greatest of options.
Copyright © 2010 Mecum Auction, Inc. All rights reserved.
DANA SAYS
Mecum Auction is on a roll, thanks to our tremendous family of Customers across the United States. Mecum bucked the Recession, ending 2009 with record numbers … and then exceeded all expectations in January 2010 at Kissimmee by offering more cars for sale and producing more sales volume than any of its national competitors who visit the Sunshine State during Florida Auction Season (Jan-March). The Mecum Team just returned from Bartle Hall in Kansas City, where the television show, “Mecum Auction: Muscle Cars and More” was broadcast live on HD Theater for the first time ever from our Spring event. Mecum offered 534 cars for sale at this two-day event (vs 325 in ’09), generating $6.4M in sales (vs $2.4M in ’09) with a 62% sell through rate (vs. 47% in ’09). What fantastic growth for our Spring Kansas City event. The Mecum Spring Classic at Indianapolis has always been good for Mecum and its Customers, but in 2010 it is shaping up to be spectacular. With over 1,400 collector vehicles already consigned for May 19-23, this event is already the largest Collector Car Auction in the World for 2010. If Mecum reaches its goal of 1,750 vehicles, it will be the World’s Largest Collector Auction ever. Both St. Paul (June 18-19) and Monterey (August 13-14) have been expanded from one to two day Events in 2010 … we look forward to seeing you at as many Mecum Auction events as you can attend in 2010.
2010
AUCTION SCHEDULE PRE-REGISTER TO BID TODAY!
MAY 19-23
1750 VEHICLES
Indiana State Fairgrounds 1202 E. 38th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46205
Broadcast LIVE on HD Theater
IT’S TIME TO CONSIGN!
JUNE 18-19
at MSRA’s 37th Back to the 50’s Minnesota State Fairgrounds 1265 N. Snelling Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108
JUNE 25-26
NOW TWO DAYS!
IT’S TIME TO CONSIGN!
400 CORVETTES
Pheasant Run Resort 4051 E. Main Street, St. Charles, IL 60174 IT’S TIME TO CONSIGN!
JULY 16-17
Iowa State Fairgrounds East 30th & East University Avenue Des Moines, IA 50317
AUGUST 13-14
400 VEHICLES
500 VEHICLES
Broadcast LIVE on HD Theater
IT’S TIME TO CONSIGN!
Hyatt Regency Resort & Spa 1 Old Golf Course Rd. Monterey, CA 93940
•
On Del Monte Golf Course
400 VEHICLES
Broadcast LIVE on HD Theater
NOW TWO DAYS!
SEPTEMBER 16-19 Pheasant Run Resort
DECEMBER 3-4
Watch Mecum Auctions every Saturday night on HD THEATER
800 VEHICLES
4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, IL 60174
Broadcast LIVE on HD Theater
Bartle Hall - Kansas City Convention Center 301 W. 13th Street, Kansas City, MO 64105
Broadcast LIVE on HD Theater
500 VEHICLES
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MECUM101
VERIFY YOUR VIN BEFORE THE AUCTION The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is one of the most important items to check on your automobile prior to the auction. A “bad VIN” can result in a car’s rejection from the auction. Make sure the VIN on your vehicle matches the VIN on your title – and be sure to check it CAREFULLY. It is very common for Departments of Motor Vehicles (DMV’s) to misread, mistype, add, or even delete a number. Common errors involve these numbers and letters: “S” and “5”, “3” and “8”, “D” and “O”, “G” and “O”, “V” and “Y”, “0” and “O”, etc. To perform a VIN check, one needs to first locate the VIN tag on the car. While most late model cars have VIN numbers located on the dash near the windshield, other locations may include: door frame post, engine, firewall, left hand inner wheel arch, steering column, radiator support bracket, etc. One problem we frequently see is a pre-1954 vehicle manufactured by a company that placed the VIN number on the engine. During either a restoration or a subsequent engine change, that number can sometimes be lost. In this case, the vehicle owner would need to contact the DMV in his/her state to get a “state issued VIN tag”. Issues related to VIN title typos are generally straightforward to correct; if you have questions about this process, please feel free to contact us. ACCEPTED
A state issued VIN tag. Some states may issue the original VIN like this one for a Corvette, or you may get a state assigned number.
ACCEPTED
A 1960’s Chevrolet tag with correct embossed characters.
The VIN tag itself can also be an issue. Because of the variance between states with regard to VIN tag requirements, what is acceptable in one state may not be acceptable in another. Since Mecum cannot predict where a car will go, we must evaluate each VIN tag for the worst-case scenario. Five years ago, most homemade VIN tags were acceptable for street rods, but that is no longer the case! Most states will either reject a homemade VIN tag, hold the registration while the VIN is tracked through the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), or require a bonded title. For this reason, Mecum no longer accepts homemade VIN tags. Another good example of a VIN tag problem are 196567 Mustangs. During this era of Mustang production, the VIN was stamped on the left hand fender well near the shock tower, an area that is frequently rusted and replaced. Owners oftentimes think the tag on the door, which contains the full VIN, is acceptable. However, it is not! A closer inspection of this tag indicates it is for emission purposes only, and it is not a VIN tag. In this case, a state issued VIN tag would be required. Most VIN situations can be successfully addressed, and if you have particular questions related to your VIN, its location, etc., feel free to contact the Mecum office for assistance. Since several of our VIN inspectors are retired state police officers with auto theft backgrounds, their familiarity with VIN’s can be a major asset to you. M REJECTED
A correct VIN, but has been cut out of it’s original location and installed with hardware rivets.
REJECTED
A home-made tag with engraved characters.
Pre-Register to Bid by May 5th and You Will Receive:
• • • •
2 Five Day Advanced Tickets ($150 Value) Complimentary Parking Pass (Fairgrounds Parking) All Advance Catalogs and Brochures Easy Credential Pick-up at Bidder Desk
Indiana State Fairgrounds
MAY 19-23
•
Indianapolis, IN
Broadcast LIVE on HD Theater
w w w.M E C U M.c o m Nobody Sells More Collector Cars Than Mecum. Nobody.
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HAMMER PRICE
MECUM GIVES THE REAL DEAL. Reporting prices at the hammer provides the most accurate data.
The traditional and most accurate way of reporting auction sales is simply to publish the hammer price. In recent years, some reporting agencies have adopted the practice of reporting sales prices and adding buyers’ premiums. While these reporting agencies may continue to report Mecum events that include buyers’ premiums, Mecum Auctions is committed to report our sales the old fashioned way… the hammer price. Hammer price reporting shows the buyer or seller what the true value of a vehicle is before any auction company fees. Sellers get paid from the hammer price, so we will report sales from the hammer price. Mecum Auctions presents the REAL deal! M
Top Ten Sales Results for April 9-10 in Kansas City, MO
1 Lot S110.1 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe 427/435 HP $125,000 2 Lot S82 1965 Shelby Cobra 427 Roadster CSX6000
$84,000
3 Lot S104 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible Automatic $82,000 4 Lot S81 1957 Corvette Convertible 283/220 HP, Auto. $65,000 5 Lot S79 1966 Corvette Coupe 427/390 HP, 4-Speed
$61,000
6 Lot S181 1965 Pontiac GTO Convertible 389/360 HP,
$61,000
7 Lot F58 1940 Willys Coupe 350/350 HP, Automatic
$60,000
8 Lot F92 2007 Cadillac XLR Supercharged, Automatic
$57,500
9 Lot S146 1970 Chevelle SS Convertible 396 CI, Auto.
$56,000
10 Lot S150 1969 Chevrolet Camaro 427/430 HP, 4-Speed $53,000
FULL RESULTS AVAILABLE For full details on all auctions and complete auction results join the Mecum infoNet. It’s FREE. Sign up at www.MECUM.com
ND O E TI D C N U A A P X E
Previous Lot Shown. Not Available at this Auction.
The Time is Now.
Consign by May 1st to Maximize Marketing Opportunities. AUCTION OPEN TO ALL COLLECTOR CARS
JUNE 18-19
at MSRA’s 37th Back to the 50’s Minnesota State Fairgrounds • St.Paul, MN
NOW 2 DAYS 400 VEHICLES
Watch Mecum Auctions Every Saturday Night on HD Theater
w w w.M E C U M.c o m Nobody Sells More Collector Cars Than Mecum. Nobody.
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MEET THE MECUM TEAM MIKE HAGERMAN, simply put, is just one of the Mecum boys. “I’m just part of the big family,” says Hagerman. Joining Dana 22 years ago during Mecum’s second auction season, he has auctioneered at every event since. A life long resident of Iowa, Mike has been in the auction business for 35 years. When asked about the changes he has seen since the auctions have been broadcast live on HD Theater, Mike says, “I’ve noticed more and more that the individuals and newer auction participants have become more comfortable as they are able to watch the show every week on TV. As a result, the overall excitement at our auctions gets better every time!” M
TOM CHRISTMANN, also known as Mecum’s, “Resident Corvette Expert”, brings over 41 years of Corvette restoration and judging expertise and a life long career in the automotive industry to Mecum Auctions. Onsite at our events, Tom is a profound multi-tasker ensuring that our behind the scenes technical and office operations run smoothly and efficiently throughout the auction. From a title question, to our bid screen, to bidder registration, Tom has his hands in just about all of it. With Tom’s numerous years in the automotive aftermarket business, combined with his communication skills and genuine love and passion for cars, Tom adds significant strength to the Mecum organization. M
BOB KING has spent the better part of his life in the automotive industry, 42 years to be exact. In 1968, Bob signed on as an Illinois State Trooper and dedicated 15 of his 25 year career to auto theft. The knowledge and expertise gained from the field of auto theft recovery, coupled with the love and passion for collector cars is exactly what brought Bob King to Mecum Auctions. Over 22 years ago, Bob was hired by Dana Mecum to oversee vehicle check in, which involves the careful process of examining documents against vehicles, inspecting VIN plate attachment, and evaluating vehicles to ensure they have not been tampered with. When asked what his favorite aspect of working for Mecum Auctions has been, King replies, “There are not many people on this earth that get to do what we do. To be surrounded by great people, great cars, and to be a part of such a great industry is truly a pleasure.” M
950 Greenlee Street Marengo, Illinois 60152
N O ED I T C ND U A PA X E
1966 Aston Martin DB6
Time to Consign. AUGUST 13-14
Hyatt Regency Resort & Spa On Del Monte Golf Course • Monterey, CA
NOW 2 DAYS 400 VEHICLES
Broadcast LIVE on HD Theater
w w w.M E C U M.c o m Nobody Sells More Collector Cars Than Mecum. Nobody.
SM