AUCTION NEWS&HIGHLIGHTS
BY MATTHEW LITWIN AND TOM COMERRO PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF MECUM AUCTIONS AND AS CREDITED
Mecum Auctions, Chattanooga 2021 Inaugural Tennessee sale yields an $18.7 million tally AFTER SEVERAL STELLAR ROUNDS OF SALES LAST SPRING AND SUMMER,
Mecum Auctions began early fall with its first-ever event in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on October 15-16, 2021. The auction was held in conjunction with what was effectively — due to the pandemic conditions of 2020 — the second-annual Chattanooga Motorcar Festival. Thus, the setting was ideal for in-person bidding and spectating alike, with all attendees witnessing a catalog of 543 vehicles cross the block at the city’s convention center. Leading the charge to the top of the sales chart was a 2021 Mercedes-Benz G550 “Brabus Edition” that realized
1939 FORD V-8 STATION WAGON
1963 FORD FALCON
Reserve: Undisclosed Avg. Market Range: High Bid: $50,000 (not sold) $59,000 - $120,000
Reserve: Undisclosed Selling Price: $36,300
It’s difficult to discuss wood-bodied station wagons without mentioning Ford’s success in this market segment. Ford’s “woodies” are arguably the most iconic, no matter what model year they were constructed. Some have been modified, but others, like this 1939 V-8 Station Wagon, have been restored to an incredibly high standard. When that process was completed went unmentioned within the catalog listing, but the end result did net the owner an AACA National First Place afterwards. Complete with a well-detailed, periodcorrect engine and seating for eight, there was nary a nit to hold this one back from landing in the sold column. It was a wise choice to uphold the reserve.
Well after the use of wood in auto production had become a thing of the past, Ford continued to produce station wagons in all sizes, as depicted by this four-door Falcon Deluxe, complete with optional roof rack, a 260-cu.in. V-8 and Ford-O-Matic transmission. According to the catalog, this cargo carrier was also presented in “highly original condition, carefully preserved by previous owners.” Maintenance items — the fuel pump and brakes — had been replaced, as had the rear bumper; the fuel tank was cleaned. One value guide offered that the best Deluxe four-door wagons fetch $41,000, so perhaps the price paid shouldn’t trigger sticker shock.
LEGEND
Reserve: Minimum price owner will accept Selling Price: What the vehicle sold for (including the buyer’s premium)
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$302,500, followed by an LS3-powered— albeit stock-ish looking —1958 Chevrolet Corvette that brought $264,000. Another restomod Corvette, a 1963 split window coupe, netted third overall with a sale price of $214,500. A fast Ford raced its way into fourth: a 1968 Shelby G.T. 500KR convertible, which commanded $176,000. Many lots, however, were factory-stock examples from all eras, including a trio of special Fords that helped Mecum gross $18.7 million, with a respectable 84 percent sellthrough rate. For complete results, and a comprehensive list of upcoming sales, visit mecum.com.
HEMMINGS CLASSIC CAR APRIL 2022 I Hemmings.com
1978 FORD PINTO Avg. Market Range: $15,000 - $25,000
Reserve: Undisclosed Selling Price: $12,650
Avg. Market Range: $8,000 - $15,000
Ford’s subcompact Pinto still gets a bad rap among casual enthusiasts, despite the fact that Dearborn sold tons of ’em, including wagons. And, for a brief time, the factory even gussied up Pintos into Cruising Wagons, which was an attempt to snag hold of a piece of the van craze. Aside from the tinted fishbowl windows on the rear flanks, the package also included sport mirrors, styled wheels, and a front spoiler, along with wild graphics, which were a delete option checked off when this one was ordered from a California dealership. With just 78,000 miles at its consignment and “mostly original paint,” the Pinto also had documentation confirming its authenticity.
Average Market Range: Values coincide with current market trends for vehicles rated from condition #2- to #1, respectively
