The annual Mecum Kissimmee auction got underway this week with a record 4,200 vehicles up for consignment, up from last year’s record 3,500.
Attendance, judging from the packed visitor parking at Osceola Heritage Park, appeared to be up this year as well. This is the 18th year that Kissimmee has been one of Mecum’s recurring auction locations – one of its largest.
As in past years, the Mecum Auction has something for everyone, from vintage sports and luxury cars to motorcycles, engines, and tractors. A separate category of the auction is Road Art, collectibles associated with the automobiles, from vintage gas pumps and signs to toys. Those hit the auction block Monday.
Some of the highlights of the show include a red 1992 Ferrari F40, expected to sell for upwards of $4 million. Three ultra-rare models of the Toyota Supra, all with very low mileage, are also featured and have been much talked about. The Supra has always had a dedicated fan base, which was only enhanced when Supras began appearing in the Fast and Furious film franchise. A yellow 1986 pulse autocycle, basically a covered three-wheel motorcycle, which resembles a stubby-winged mini jet, sold for over $35,000.
In the midst of the high-dollar auction action, Mecum Auctions, along with its staff and supporters, are accomplishing some high-dollar action for charity as well. Curing Kid’s Cancer is the official charity, and donations have been rolling in from various sources.
Each day at 1 p.m., the auto auction pauses to auction off a modest “Mecum SOLD” wall clock for Mecum’s charity of choice since 2012, Curing Kids Cancer (CKC). While a cumulative total of proceeds from the clock auctions so far are not available, the first clock on Wednesday’s opening day went for $10,000. Three CKC charity items have been in the top four of the highest-paid sellers of the Road Art auctions so far. Both a Truck Quilt and a helmet painted by Jeff McPhail went for $11,800 each. A Joe Bonamassa autographed guitar will be offered in the days to come. There are also several other charity efforts happening. For example, the proceeds from the sale of over 30 cars from the Michael and Dianne Morey collection will benefit Northwood University in Michigan.
The Mecum Auto Auction will continue at Osceola Heritage park through Sunday. For more information see https://bit.ly/3XfBFHo .
For more information on Curing Kids Cancer see https://bit.ly/3CvIWLx .
