The Mecum Seattle 2014 auction was staged June 13-14 at CenturyLink Field Event Center in Seattle, Washington, resulting in $15,125,097 in total sales. Mecum’s inaugural Seattle sale saw 322 vehicles successfully cross the auction block over the two-day auction.
“It was evident about an hour into the first auction day that the fine people of Seattle were glad we’d come to town,” described Mecum Auctions’ President and Founder Dana Mecum. “The auction arena at CenturyLink Field Event Center quickly filled to capacity, and we had a great first auction. Our consignment docket exceeded expectations in both quantity and quality, and with the record-setting sale of the Hemi ’Cuda Convertible, it instantly put Mecum Seattle on the map. We look forward to returning to the Emerald City next year.”
The top result at the 2014 Mecum Seattle sale went to the 1971 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda Convertible that hammered sold for $3,500,000, the highest price achieved at auction for any of the storied muscle cars that came out of Detroit in the Golden Age. The ’Cuda (Lot S95) is one of just two four-speed examples delivered in the U.S. and the only one still powered by its factory-original engine and drivetrain.
Shortly following the bidding war (see video below) that ended with the record sale of the Hemi ’Cuda, four Calypso Coral Ford Boss Mustangs from the Legacy Collection paraded to the block. Beginning with the 1970 Boss 429, each car from the collection witnessed vivacious bidding activity. Offered by local Washington collector Josh Dykes who had regularly shown this group of Mustangs at local events, it was obvious that bidders had been anxiously awaiting their chance to snag a Legacy Boss for themselves. The 1970 Boss 429 (Lot S118) gaveled at $340,000 and became the auction’s second highest seller. The 1969 and 1970 Boss 302 Fastbacks hammered at $115,000 and $105,000, respectively (Lots S118.1 and S119). To round out the group, Dykes’ 2012 Boss 302 Patriot Edition (Lot S119.1) brought $86,000.
Mecum Seattle 2014 – Top Ten Auction Results (all sales reflect hammer prices)
1. 1971 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda Convertible – $3,500,000
2. 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429 Fastback – $340,000
3. 1968 Shelby GT500KR Fastback – $160,000
4. 1958 Buick Limited Convertible – $150,000
4. 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle LS6 Hardtop – $150,000
4. 1937 Packard Twelve Victoria – $150,000
7. 1958 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible – $143,640
8. 1956 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz – $130,000
9. 1967 Shelby GT500 Fastback – $125,000
10. 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T – $115,000
For complete auction results, visit Mecum.com.
Mecum’s next 2014 auction will be another inaugural event held July 24-26 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg. With an anticipated 1,000-car offering, Mecum’s East Coast debut is set to be another success. Mecum will then hold its annual Daytime Auction in Monterey, California on August 14-16 with a mix of 750 classic and collector cars. For more details on an upcoming auction, to consign a vehicle or to register as a bidder, visit Mecum.com or call (262) 275-5050.
[Source: Mecum]
If an American built 1971, Plymout convertible with a Hemi is worth 3.7 million I’m sure that my original 1966, Griffith 400 of which only 59 were made for the entire world my car should be worth 30 million. By the way, take a look at the latest 2014 Spa-francorchamp and see the Griffith 400 of Sawn and Michael McInerney blazing through all the hot Shelby Mustangs, Jaguars, Porsches, and Corvettes.
Also, see the same TVR Griffith 400 (Continent ID) in the 2013 Oldtimers Grand Prix on U-tube. These car didn’t get a lot of publicity due to the Shelby Cobra craze. However, when you see well prepared Shelby Cobras in the 2013, Oldtimers Gran Prix caught and passed by that Scotish light blue Griffith 400 one can only come to the conclusion if Jack Andrew Griffith had put some money into that racing machine in the middle 60’s. The Griffith’s unequal wishbone suspension all around, four shocks in the rear, below the ground center of gravity, with the same Ford V/8 as the Cobra, and weighing about 1875 pounds, the media would have changed for the real champinn of the sports car track.Too bad that is not the way things happened.
Met Jack at the Amelia Island and he is up in his years. So, you fellows who own one of the 59 American Griffith 400’s hang on to them for if a 71 Plymouth convertible can bring one 3.7 million dollars what will one of the 59 Griffith 400’s will bring.
Oil sheiks, oil barrons, Corporate owners can buy anything they want. And 3.7 million to a trillionaire is pocket change to them. By the way, who bought the Plymouth?
The Griffith 400 is prepared by Niguel Reuben of England. It is one of the fastest Griffith 400’s in the Continent.
Great job Niguel Ruben!
My best,
Charles Pineda of the USA
59 is a lot considering there were only 2 of these made a 426/425 hp V8 and 4-speed manual transmission. I believe this is the only one still in existence.
I guess that one man’s perspective of an automobile is anothers man’s nightmare. Since I come from a sportcar perspective big, giant, heavy, American coupes or sedans were something that never caught my attention in the sixties. Today, the classic races in the Continent are really interesting and competitive.
In my 74 years of age I have yet to see a big, giant, heavy, Plymouth with the hemi engine in any road race where the public can assess it’s virtues. I might add that one doesn’t see Mercedes S550’s on the track either.
My best,
Chuck