Mecum Auctions topped its previous year’s sale, yet again, with a 38-percent increase in total sales at its 10th annual Daytime Auction held in Monterey, California. With quality, rarity and diversity punctuating the vast Mecum lineup, the 2018 auction hurdled past last year’s totals as overall sales reached an impressive $47 million and marked the anniversary event as the highest-grossing Monterey auction in Mecum’s 10 years on the peninsula. In all, 394 vehicles changed hands in just three days, Aug. 23-25, and even individual sale prices reflected the strength of the auction’s stellar lineup.
The auction’s top seller was an absolutely stunning 1933 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe Disappearing Top Roadster (Lot S93) that sold for $3.85 million, while the second top slot was claimed by a 307-mile 2014 hybrid-drive Ferrari LaFerrari (Lot S111) that brought $3.19 million.
The auction’s diverse lineup was further highlighted by the sales of a 2003 Ferrari Enzo (Lot S48.1) that brought $2.86 million and a 1989 Porsche 962 (Lot S126) that sold for $2.2 million.
Another Duesenberg to land among top sales was the 1929 Model J Convertible Sedan (Lot S116.1) of the headlining Academy of Art University Collection. This car brought a $1.155 million sale, taking the prestigious school’s entire seven-car offering to $2.82 million overall as all vehicles in the group hammered sold.
Unique sales that drew substantial attention from the public included the $1.127 million sale of the Indy 500-winning 2012 Dallara DW12 Honda Indy Car (Lot S90). This significant racecar was offered with an unusual engine lease agreement that will allow the new owner to take possession of the car’s race-winning powerplant—something that is virtually unheard of in the world of factory-sponsored racing. The 1987 Porsche 959 Komfort (Lot F109.1) offered on Friday was another vehicle that became an attraction unto itself, and its sale at $467,500 demonstrated that its unbridled potential was unquestionably evident. The 1985 Modena GT Spyder California (Lot S189) featured in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” demanded serious attention as well, and heated bidding brought its final selling price to $407,000.
The complete top 10 collector-car sales at the Mecum Monterey 2018 auction include:
- 1933 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe Disappearing Top Roadster (Lot S93) at $3,850,000
- 2014 Ferrari LaFerrari (Lot S111) at $3,190,000
- 2003 Ferrari Enzo (Lot S48.1) at $2,860,000
- 1989 Porsche 962 (Lot S126) at $2,200,000
- 1969 Lamborghini Miura P400 S (Lot F114) at $1,155,000
- 1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan (Lot S116.1) at $1,155,000
- 2012 Dallara DW12 Honda Indy Car (Lot S90) at $1,127,500
- 1958 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster (Lot F116) at $1,072,500
- 2017 Ferrari F12tdf (Lot S125) at $1,045,000
- 1936 Auburn 852 SC Boattail Speedster (Lot S89) at $1,017,500
For access to complete auction results, sign up for the free InfoNet service offered at Mecum.com. Mecum’s next auction will be Louisville 2018 this Sept. 7-8 featuring 600 classic and collector cars followed by a 1,000-car offering at Dallas’ Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center this Oct. 3-6.
