D E C E M B E R 2 013
Exciting Announcement Inside!
#WhereTheCarsAre
January 17-26, 2014
The Real McCoy The Car That Saved the Corvette Brand
TO CONTACT MECUM AUCTION
Via Mail, E-mail, Phone or Fax: Mecum Collector Car Auctioneers 445 South Main Street Walworth, Wisconsin 53184 Website: www.MECUM.com Office: (262) 275-5050 Fax: (262) 275-3424 E-mail: info@mecum.com
SELL A VEHICLE
AT A MECUM AUCTION
DECEMBER 2013
CONTENTS
BUY A VEHICLE
AT A MECUM AUCTION
FEATURES PAGE
Download a “Request for Position” form today. Visit www.MECUM.com. Click on the Seller info tab at the top of the home page to fill out or download all forms. Be sure to fill out separate forms for each vehicle when requesting positions.
8 VOLUME AND VARIETY
Anaheim Auction Results
12 MECUM 2014 Next Year’s Auction Schedule 14 JUDSKI CORVETTES Special Kissimmee Offerings
18 SLEDGEHAMMER
Mecum provides two 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 via the telephone. For complete bidder registration information, visit www. MECUM.com, click on the Bidder info tab at the top of the home page. For any questions contact the bidder department at 262-275-5050.
Famous Callaway Record Holder
22 600 BIKE SALE IN VEGAS Mecum Presents World’s Largest
28 TORPEDO BERLINE
www.facebook.com/mecumauction
1930 Model J Duesenberg C OLUMNS
1 7 THE DEALMAKER New Year News
21 EVEN BIGGER BANG The Ever Expanding Mecum 25 ON THE CLOCK CLASS New Ways to Bid on RoadArt
Nobody Sells More Than Mecum. Nobody. The Mecum Auction Company is the world leader of collector car and Road Art sales, hosting auctions throughout the United States. The company has been specializing in the sale of collector cars for 26 years, now offering more than 15,000 vehicles per year and averaging more than one auction each month. Established by President Dana Mecum in 1988, Mecum Auctions remains a family-run company headquartered in Walworth, Wisconsin.
Copyright © 2013 Mecum Auction, Inc. All rights reserved.
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MECUM.COM
The Dealmaker
DANA MECUM
NEW YEAR NEWS 2013 is coming to a close, and with the New Year knocking at our door, I’d like to take this opportunity to make a few announcements about some of our new additions for 2014. The drive to 100 million homes kicks off in 2014 at the largest collector car auction in the world in Kissimmee, Florida. I am proud to announce that Mecum will join the NBC family and our new television partners the NBC Sports Network. The Kissimmee auction will see nine days of coverage live from Osceola Heritage Park on both NBCSN and the Esquire Network. As an added bonus, the NBC broadcast network will air a special one-hour segment on Sunday, January 26. We are very excited to work with our new TV partners and help bring future auctions into more households across the country than ever before. This January 9-11, Mecum will present the 23rd annual MidAmerica Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction & Races. As we take on a financial and marketing stake in MidAmerica Auctions, we’re thrilled to have Founder Ron Christensen remain on board as president of Mecum’s motorcycle division as we expand into the motorcycle market via the MidAmerica Auction brand. Ron will bring his wealth of knowledge about the motorcycle industry to our events in 2014 and beyond. Finally, Look out for the January issue of the Mecum Monthly. To adequately reflect the growth and evolution of the Mecum experience, we’re expanding the Monthly into a full-size magazine beginning with the January 2014 issue. Look out New Year, we’re just getting warmed up.
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VOLUME
AND
Mecum Auctions returned to Anaheim, California, for its second annual auction at the Anaheim Convention Center and with spectators and bidders pouring in, total sales reached nearly $14 million. With 812 vehicles crossing Mecum’s block November 21-23, 412 hammered sold with deals continuing to be made in the Bid Goes On department. Mecum had originally anticipated a 750-car lineup, but the consignments came in
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VARIETY
OFFERED
at
anaheim
droves bringing the run total to its impressive final count of more than 800. Top sales for the event were strong and proved an accurate reflection of the variety the auction offered with everything from modern-day supercars and classic muscle, to ‘50s era cars and customs making the list. Two Ford GTs (Lot S114.1 and S196.1) took the top honors with a 2006 and a 2005 both hammering at $210,000. A highly optioned and well-documented 1969 COPO
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Camaro (Lot S123) was next in line selling for healthy $180,000. Steve McQueen’s Harley-Davidson (Lot S138.1) also made the top 10 list coming in at number nine with an astounding $125,000 gavel price. Significant sales continued beyond the top 10 with lots like S134, a 1931 Ford Model A custom pickup. Nicknamed “The Grasshopper,” the truck sold for $100,000, ringing true to SoCal’s reputation for a robust hotrod and custom car scene. M ANAHEIM 2013 AUCTION RESULTS TOP 10 SALES
VEHICLE
DESCRIPTION
SOLD FOR*
LOT NO.
1. 2005 Ford GT Only 5,150 miles $210,000 S196.1 2. 2006 Ford GT Only 9,422 miles $210,000 S114.1 3. 1969 Chevrolet COPO Camaro Highly optioned, well documented $180,000 S123 4. 1953 Hudson Hornet Twin-H Convertible Twin-H Power Straight Six $150,000 S96.1 5. 1955 Chevrolet 210 Resto Mod, 2005 Harley-Davidson Roadglide, 2006 Ness Lowliner Motorcycle and 2008 Adventure Motor Bike Trailer $132,500 S182-S182.3 6. 1954 Buick Skylark Convertible One of only 836 ever made $130,000 S129 7. 1954 Buick Skylark Convertible One of only 836 ever made $130,000 S115 8. 1956 Chevrolet Nomad Resto Mod LS1/400 HP, Art Morrison chassis $125,000 S135 9. 1938 Harley-Davidson WLD Solo Sport formerly owned by Steve McQueen $125,000 S138.1 10. 1955 Chevrolet Nomad began as a family owned Nomad $120,000 S116 * All Sales Reflect Hammer Prices. MECUM.COM
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THE EXPERIENCE BEGINS AT MECUM.COM
2014 AUCTION SCHEDULE
JAN 9-11 JAN 17-26 APR 4-5 APR 4-5 APR 10-12 APR 24-26 MAY 13-18 JUNE 7 JUNE 28 JULY 24-26 AUG AUG 1-2 AUG 14-16 SEPT 3-6 OCT 9-11 NOV NOV 13-15 DEC 4-6 DEC 11-13
Mecum Auctions presents MIDAMERICA’S 23RD ANNUAL MOTORCYCLE AUCTION & RACES // LAS VEGAS, NV
KISSIMMEE // KISSIMMEE, FL GONE FARMIN’ TRACTOR SPRING CLASSIC // DAVENPORT, IA YACHT AUCTION // SOUTH FLORIDA HOUSTON // HOUSTON, TX KANSAS CITY SPRING // KANSAS CITY, MO DANA MECUM’S 27th ORIGINAL SPRING CLASSIC // INDIANAPOLIS, IN GONE FARMIN’ NASHVILLE // FRANKLIN, TN BLOOMINGTON GOLD // CHAMPAIGN, IL HARRISBURG // HARRISBURG, PA THE ORIGINAL GONE FARMIN’ // WISCONSIN THE JACQUES LITTLEFIELD MILITARY ARMORED VEHICLE COLLECTION // PORTOLA VALLEY, CA MONTEREY // MONTEREY, CA DALLAS // DALLAS, TX CHICAGO // SCHAUMBURG, IL GONE FARMIN’ IOWA PREMIER // DAVENPORT, IA ANAHEIM // ANAHEIM, CA KANSAS CITY // KANSAS CITY, MO AUSTIN // AUSTIN, TX
TM
got gear? t-shirts caps sport shirts ladies youth die cast novelties sweatshirts outerwear
mecumGear.com
JUDSKI CORVETTES The name “Corvette” inspires thoughts of many historical greats who have had a hand in the creation of America’s Favorite Sports Car. There are also some truly notorious Corvette collectors whose names have become synonymous with the cars themselves and one man who has achieved that status without question is Roger Judski. Owner of Roger’s Corvette
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Center and what he has dubbed the “427 Dream Team,” Judski’s passion for Corvettes dates back more than a half-century. “It all began in 1957 when I got to see a brand new Red 1957 Convertible in a Chevrolet showroom as Dad was purchasing a brand new 1957 Bel Air,” Judski recalled. And it was love at first sight. By 1965, Judski was able to get into dealing in pre-owned
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Corvettes and through years of honest and reliable sales, he has built one of the most impressive pre-owned-Corvette dealerships in the world – a place that many Corvette lovers consider a “must-see” attraction located in Maitland, Florida, just outside Orlando. In addition to some of the finest examples of late model, low mileage or especially unique vintage Corvettes for sale in
COMING TO the center, Judski also displays the Corvettes in his personal collection, most of which are not for sale. “Probably my favorite is my 1967 White L-88 due to mileage, condition, originality and color,” Judski explained. The L-88 is just one of the four Corvettes that Judski considers his “Dream Team.” There is also a 1966 Big Tank, a 1968 White L-88 and a
KISSIMMEE
1969 Yellow ZL-1. “The most significant in my collection would have to be the ‘69 Yellow ZL-1 because only two were produced. With its 427/560 HP all-aluminum engine, it is the rarest and most valuable Corvette to ever come off the production line. It’s absolutely the definition of irreplaceable,” Judski stated. Though he has no intention of ever parting with his Dream Team
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lineup, Judski is ready to share some of the others in his collection – 13 nearly untouched examples, to be exact. Each significant in its own right, the cars that make up this Corvette-exclusive offering are extremely low-mileage originals, and many are special editions. Judski explained his decision not to drive them saying, “I have always liked low mileage cars.
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To be able to get them and keep them in the condition that they left the assembly line, was, and still is challenging, as these cars can only be in this condition once.” Judski has ensured that the factory-fresh condition of each has been properly maintained not only by resisting the urge to
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drive them, but by caring for these cars through the years as any true Corvette lover would – with extreme attention and devotion. “They have been garage stored prior to now being stored for many, many years in my climate controlled showroom in the sales area, roped off and protected, for
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customers, friends and Corvette visitors from all around the world to see,” Judski described. Offered on behalf of one of the world’s most well-known Corvette collectors, these cars will cross the block at Mecum’s Kissimmee, Florida, auction on Saturday, January 25. M
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sledge Based on a 1988 Chevrolet Corvette, the famous Callaway Sledgehammer was built by Callaway to exceed all existing top speed records, and as a showcase for Callaway’s industry-leading engineering expertise. For years the Sledgehammer owned the record as the fastest street-driven car in the world, having set the mark on October 26, 1988, when John Lingenfelter drove it to an incredible 254.76 MPH at the Transportation Research Center (TRC) in Ohio, an enormous facility with a 7.5 mile oval track. The record run occurred after the Sledgehammer was driven
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from Callaway headquarters in Old Lyme, Connecticut, to TRC. Rated at 898 HP and 772 lbft of torque, the balanced and blueprinted engine was handbuilt by Callaway Cars using a 4-bolt main NASCAR-spec GM “Bowtie” engine block, Mahle pistons on forged connecting rods, a special cam to enable both a docile drive around town and voluminous breathing at high engine speeds and Brodix aluminum heads for maximum power and durability. Extensive research was required to efficiently package the engine within the Corvette’s tight confines, which
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also were made to accept twin Turbonetics TO4B turbochargers, matching intercoolers and all the plumbing necessary to make it all work. Carroll Smith tuned the Sledgehammer’s suspension for high-speed stability by relocating the lower control arms, reducing the car’s ride height by one inch. Koni shock absorbers were used in conjunction with 17-inch Dymag aluminum wheels wearing specially made Goodyear tires developed for the high speed run. Inside the Paul Deutschmandesigned Callaway Aerobody is a mostly stock interior modified for
254 MPH 898 HP
HAMmer the high-speed run with a leather padded roll bar, 5-point harnesses and instruments for monitoring goings-on beneath the hood. And yes: it still has the factory air conditioning and sound systems! In 2013 the Sledgehammer was inducted into the Bloomington Gold Great Hall, which “recognizes 50 people and 50 Corvettes that significantly influenced the Corvette Phenomenon” – a great honor for one of the world’s great Corvettes. This record-setter will cross the block at Mecum’s Kissimmee auction on Friday, January 24 as Lot F259. M
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#WhereTheCarsAre
Osceola Heritage Park â&#x20AC;˘ Kissimmee, Florida 3000 VEHICLES
JANUARY 17-26, 2014
S168 1969 Chevrolet Yenko Camaro 12,600 Original Miles
FL.LIC. #AB1919
For Auction Schedule and Consignment or Bidding Information go to mecum.com or call 262-275-5050.
At The Redline JOHN KRAMAN
EVEN BIGGER BANG
The amount of continuous evolution within the Mecum Auctions organization is astonishing! The company seems to grow exponentially each year; so much so that the word expanding no longer does it justice – we’re exploding in the best way there is. The planned 2014 schedule is our largest yet with 19 auctions on the docket including collector motorcycles, luxury yachts, vintage tractors and military armor! Our car auctions now number an even dozen with venues located conveniently around the country to allow buyers, sellers and spectators from virtually anywhere the chance to
take part in a Mecum auction. In addition, we have the talent, aptitude and energy to successfully facilitate all of these auctions with storied success, and there is no sign of us easing off the redline. This diversity, sheer volume and true quality in delivery, requires dedication on all levels and within all departments. The talented team that consistently demonstrates this dedication includes everyone from Reception and Consignment Processing to the Sales, Bidders and Presentation Departments, as well as various support staff who keep everything moving along. This group of individuals will enter, promote, check-in, sell, check-out and manage more cars MECUM.COM
at a single Mecum auction than many auto dealerships will handle in an entire year! It’s an amazing, intricate and exciting process to be involved with. Our growth, success and records shattered is due heavily to the individuals that make it all happen. And that includes our many valued customers as well. The relationships that we have created with literally thousands of customers, adds to the satisfaction of being a part of the world’s largest collector car auction company. Happy Holidays everybody and stay tuned for even more news about what’s in store for the New Year. You ain’t seen nothin’ yet! M MECUMMONTHLY
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Mecum to Present
MID AMERICA’S 23RD LAS VEGAS AUCTION
Mecum Auctions is proud to present the most anticipated antique motorcycle auction of the year, MidAmerica’s 23rd annual Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction & Races at the South Point Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. With participants from all 50 states and around the world, more than 600 antique and classic motorcycles will be crossing the block January 9-11, 2014. Headlining the auction lineup is the George Pardos Collection, representing “The Evolution of the Harley-Davidson Motorcycle.” The collection includes 20 of 22
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some of the most sought after and historic first-year Harleys in existence ranging from a fully restored 1911 7D Twin to a 1965 FL. Mr. Pardos spent years acquiring and restoring these unbelievable American-made machines, amassing a collection like no other. MECUM.COM
“The George Pardos Collection is one of the finest groups of Harley-Davidson motorcycles I have ever seen,” commented MidAmerica’s Ron Christensen. “I’ve seen a lot of bikes cross my path over the last quarter century, but nothing quite like this when it comes to Harleys,” he added. Of the 600 bikes to be offered, a vast selection will be on hand from marques like Triumph, Vincent, Ducati, Indian, MV Agusta, BMW, BSA, Excelsior and more. With no shortage of variety, the auction will bring
HISTORIC HARLEY-DAVIDSON COLLECTION TO BE OFFERED AT THE Worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Largest Motorcycle AuctioN
everything from vintage classics to bikes of the new millennium. The three-day event begins with a Thursday evening dinner auction followed by a three-hour auction with special guests Jean Davidson and her son Jon. Jean is the granddaughter of one of the founders and first president of
Harley-Davidson Motorcycles. She began riding a Harley at the age of 12 and once owned the largest Harley-Davidson dealership in Wisconsin, resulting in her vast knowledge of the motorcycle industry. Produced in conjunction with the Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction, Friday and Saturday night will be the Championship Indoor Concrete Short Track Races inside Michael Gaughanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s South Point Arena - truly indoor racing at its best. This grand, annual event not only offers collectors the chance MECUM.COM
to find their dream bike, it also brings with it the camaraderie that is shared among those who have a true passion for motorcycles of every age and type. Bidders can register in advance to bid onsite, over the phone or online by visiting www. MidAmericaAuctions.com. M MECUMMONTHLY
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MECUM PRESENTS 2014
23rd annual
las vegas
600 antique & classic motorcycles
motorcycle auction & races january 9 - 11 south point hotel las vegas, nevada, usa
featuring the
George Pardos Collection The Evolution of the Harley-Davidson Motorcycle
For Information on Buying or Selling at this Auction:
www.MidAmericaAuctions.com | midauction@aol.com | 651-633-9655
Road Art
Bob Sain
an on the clock education Mecumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s On The Clock timed online auctions have proved to be an awesome addition to our already great lineup of bidding platforms. Conducted in conjunction with live events, timed online auctions allow bidders the opportunity to bid on Road Art and memorabilia right from their computer or mobile device. Bidding opens several days before the live auction event and ends at a set time on a live auction day. Photos and information of each available item is posted several days, to weeks in advance of the bidding period to allow for preview. Registering to bid for the On The Clock auctions is easy and only needs to be done once, not
for each individual auction. Once registered, bidders may place individual bids or a private max
bid can be set and the lowest bid possible will be placed automatically up to and including the max bid. MECUM.COM
When the closing process begins, one item closes every few minutes. If a bid is placed in the last five seconds of the itemâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s run time, an additional five seconds is added until there are no further bids. The winning bidder can collect their spoils in person at the live event where the items are available for preview, or have them shipped directly home. Much of our Kissimmee auction Road Art lineup, which includes more than 3,000 pieces total, are live for preview now and bidding will begin January 6, 2014, at 10 a.m. All items will be available for inspection at the live event January 17-26. Start your shopping early at OnTheClock.Mecum.com. M MECUMMONTHLY
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Gone Farminâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Auctions
Episodes Airing Every Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. CT and on Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. CT
Go to rfdtv.com to find out if RFD-TV is available from your Pay TV provider
4th Annual Spring Tractor Auction April 4-5, 2014 Mississippi Valley Fair Center • Davenport, Iowa OVER 400 SIGNS & FARM RELICS 300 TRACTORS Feature Lot: 1962 Minneapolis Moline G706
It’s Time to Consign! 262-275-5050
mecum.com
1930 model j
No American car even approached the grandeur of the Duesenberg Model J when it made its first public appearance at the New York Salon on December 1, 1928, an event for which trading was temporarily halted on the New York Stock Exchange. By then the company founded by Fred and August Duesenberg 15 years previous was the property of E.L. Cord, whose plan for his latest venture was to exploit the 28
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Duesenberg name and engineering expertise – their reputation already enriched with a win at the French Grand Prix and three victories in the Indianapolis 500 – to produce “The World’s Finest Motor Car.” The Duesenberg J perfectly fulfilled Cord’s desire for an uncompromising luxury motor car that was also a technical tour de force. Its masterfully designed 420 CI dual-overhead-camshaft straight-8 engine was fitted with MECUM.COM
four valves per cylinder and produced an astounding 265 HP and 374 lb-ft of torque, enabling a second-gear speed of 90 MPH and a top speed of 116 using a 3-speed transmission. America was in the grip of the Great Depression when this 1930 Model J Torpedo Berline Convertible, engine number J-391, chassis 2315, and body 952 was completed by Walter M. Murphy Coachbuilders of Pasadena,
torpedo BERLINE
California, as a demonstrator for Duesenberg’s Los Angeles sales branch. Originally painted in Washington Blue, it was sold to Hollywood screenwriter Gene Markey, who later became a highly decorated Rear Admiral after World War II. A series of owners in the 1940s included James Talmadge (son of Buster Keaton and Norma Talmadge),
who in 1952 traded the car to actor Tyrone Power for a new MG. Power owned the car until his death at the age of 44 in 1958, after which it was sold to J.B. Nethercutt and then to Bill Harrah’s Auto Museum in Reno, Nevada. It was then purchased in 1986 by Joseph Folladori of Indianapolis, who restored it and finished it in its present color scheme. In 1991 it became part of Las Vegas’ fabulous Imperial MECUM.COM
Palace Auto Collection, after which it was in the care of several short-term owners until its purchase by the prestigious John O’Quinn Collection. Presented in stunning Concours condition, this unique Model J has been judged as an ACD-Certified Category 1 Original with the original engine, chassis and body, and is now set to cross the Mecum auction block as Lot S158 in Kissimmee, Florida, January 2014. M MECUMMONTHLY
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Join the Mecum Team and help give children with cancer the gift of hope. Curing Kids Cancer is funding some of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most innovative and promising treatments for pediatric cancers. To find out more please go to:
curingkidscancer.org
The Little Tractor That Could 1951 John Deere AR
For Curing Kids Cancer Tradition Begins:
Sold for $15,000 in August 2013 with all proceeds donated to Curing Kids Cancer Foundation Tradition Continues:
Sold for $9,000 in November 2013 with all proceeds donated to Curing Kids Cancer Foundation Tradition Continues:
Will be offered again at the Gone Farminâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; auction in April 2014 with all proceeds donated to Curing Kids Cancer Foundation Tradition Hope:
That each consecutive owner will allow this tractor to continue to give back to this great cause
445 South Main,Walworth,WI 53184
Nobody Sells More Than Mecum. Nobody.
MECUM PRESENTS 23rd Annual
LAS VEGAS
Motorcycle Auction & Races
January 9-11, 2014 South Point Hotel Las Vegas, Nevada
KISSIMMEE
January 17-26, 2014 Osceola Heritage Park Kissimmee, Florida
HOUSTON
April 10-12, 2014 The Reliant Center Houston, Texas
KISSIMMEE AUCTION LOT S148 - 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Dick Lang Race Car 2013 NCRS American Heritage Award