Auction Preview: Mecum Houston 2016
Mecum first came to Houston in 2012, and it has since grown into one of the company’s larger sales. On April 14-16, Mecum will return to Houston’s NRG Center for its third auction of the year. After a great start to 2016 in Kissimmee, Mecum will be looking to maintain that momentum and improve on the $28.3 million in total sales that they achieved in Houston last year. Here are five lots that we’ll be keeping an eye on.
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Tanker
Hagerty Price Guide:$291,000 – $545,000
The first Z06 was a race-oriented version of the 1963 Corvette equipped with the fuel injection 327/360hp V-8, Positraction rear end and heavy duty suspension and brakes. Only 199 Z06s were built in 1963 and just 63 of them got the 36-gallon fuel tank that led to the name “Tanker”. Mecum’s example wears a body-off restoration from the 1980s, and while it has no race history to speak of, it has Bloomington Gold and NCRS Top Flight and is one of the stars of the sale.
1967 Shelby GT500
Hagerty Price Guide:$92,800 – $206,000
In the first year of the big-block Shelby GT500, just over 2,000 were built with their 428 cid engines, dual Holley carbs and fiberglass hoods with functional scoops. Mecum’s example is an automatic-equipped car represented with 37,332 actual miles and is finished in an attractive Dark Moss Green with no stripes. It also has the ubiquitous Carroll Shelby signature on the dash.
1997 Lamborghini Diablo VT Roadster
Hagerty Price Guide: N/A
The Diablo was the first Lamborghini to join the 200 mph club, and the VT version was the first (other than the LM002) to be equipped with all-wheel drive, which is now a company staple. The VT Roadster then came in 1995 and featured a carbon fiber targa top and a new front bumper. Mecum’s example is finished in the appropriately eye-catching Rosso Diablo over white leather and has recently been serviced and shows 25,000 miles. Lamborghini came under the Volkswagen Group umbrella in 1998, so as a 1997 model, this is among the last of the pre-Audi Lamborghinis.
1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 LS6
Hagerty Price Guide:$63,900 – $186,000
Among the all-time great muscle cars is the Chevelle 454 SS with the LS6 engine, which featured a forged steel crank and connecting rods, aluminum pistons, a high-lift solid-lifter cam and aluminum intake manifold. Conservatively rated at 450 hp, the LS6 was a devastatingly quick car, and Mecum’s example is a matching numbers, frame-off restored car that was special ordered with Daytona Yellow paint. It also has F41 suspension, 4.10 Positraction and the M22 “Rock Crusher” 4-speed.
1992 Porsche 911 America Roadster
Hagerty Price Guide: $64,000 – $137,000
The 964 Carrera Speedster has gotten a lot of attention in the classic car market recently as a rare special version of the late air-cooled 911. Even rarer than the Speedster, though, is the America Roadster. Only 250 of them were built during the 1992 and 1993 model years, and it was basically a normal 964 Cabriolet with a Turbo wide body, spoiler, brakes and suspension as well as 17-inch Cup wheels. Mecum’s example is represented with 47,386 miles and a recent service. Even though it’s rarer than the equivalent Carrera Speedster, the America Roadster is worth considerably less and represents a better value.
