Bigger than ever, Mecum’s anunual Kissimmee auto auction is back at Osceola Heritage Park this weekend.

The popular event, which is also televised live, expanded to five full days of auction action this year, including today and Sunday.

More than 1,750 collector cars will have been on the auction block by the time the event comes to a close Sunday.

“The Kissimmee Auction is Mecum’s fastest growing event as witnessed by the huge success of last year’s event, which boasted a very high sell-through rate, more than 4,000 registered bidders and total sales over $25 million,” said President Dana Mecum. “We already see the momentum building for an even more impressive turn out at this year’s event, and it’s all taking place east of the Mississippi – it’s where the cars are.”

As the collector car industry’s largest January auction, Mecum Kissimmee offers a variety of vehicles up for bid, including several no-reserve collections, historic race cars and rare muscle cars.

Because of Mecum’s recent growth, they have moved the auction block to Silver Spurs Arena – a larger building next to the Exhibition Building where last year’s event took place.

Mecum Kissimmee will broadcast with live national TV coverage on “Mecum Auto Auction: Muscle Cars & More” on HD Theater – Discovery Communications’ 24-hour high-definition cable network, offering compelling real-world and motorized content. Fans can also watch the auction via live Webcast at www.Mecum.com.

The Kissimmee Auction is open to the public with tickets are available at the door for $15. The Mecum Auction Company has been specializing in the sale of collector cars for 23 years, now offering an industry-leading 5,000 collector cars per year. Consignment, bidder and event information

is available online at www.Mecum.com or by calling 815-568-8888.

Sunday’s highlights include memorabilia from 9 a.m. until noon.

Another featured event

at the show is the sale of more than 150 noteworthy Corvettes.

Included in the Corvette consignments are a variety of first and second generation cars, a 1953 Corvette Roadster, a ‘68 L88 Convertible and a ‘69 L89 427/435 HP Coupe – many of which are offered at no reserve.

“Our annual Kissimmee event started as an all Corvette sale 11 years ago and remains a natural location for collectors to buy and sell Corvettes,” said Mecum.

Another weekend highlight will be today when Mecum will offer a race-ready 2007 #8 Budweiser Chevy Monte Carlo SS (Lot S201) driven by Dale Earnhardt Jr. and prominently featuring a Dale Earnhardt Jr. autograph on the dashboard.  Chassis number 83 and built by Dale Earnhardt Industries, the Monte Carlo SS marked the final season together for Earnhardt Jr., DEI and Budweiser, closing a chapter that saw the team win 19 Cup races, including two in the fabled Daytona 500.