Mecum Auctions kicked off bidding at State Farm Stadium in Glendale last Wednesday and will continued through last Saturday with more than 1,300 cars and motorcycles expected to cross the auction block.
The Wisconsin-based auction company held its first auction in Glendale last year and saw $39 million in sales, which spokesman Dave Morton said far exceeded most other first-time auctions for Mecum.
He said the auction house is impressed with the Valley’s collector car culture. The auction fell well outside of Arizona Car Week, when crowds in January flock to Barrett-Jackson, Russo and Steele, Bonhams and other auctions in metro Phoenix.
Mecum, which bills itself as holding the most auctions around the country, holds its biggest auction, in Kissimmee, Florida, during Arizona Car Week.
Mecum’s Glendale auction, which consigns cars from across the country, was televised on NBC Sports.
“We encourage families to come out,” Dave Magers, CEO of Mecum Auctions, said. “You don’t have to be a buyer or seller to come to any of our auctions.
Most cars on the auction block had a reserve, meaning that sellers have a minimum selling price. However, sellers can choose to accept a bid if it falls below their limit, Magers said.
Barrett-Jackson, by comparison, is primarily a no-reserve auction. Magers said that by allowing minimum selling prices and working with sellers when bids may fall short, Mecum Auctions “straddles both lines.”
There is something for everyone at the auction, he said.
Guitars, Billy Ray Cyrus and Lifehouse also on tap
The auction included collector cars, motorcycles and even some guitars. The March 12 auction of more than 40 vintage guitars started at approximately 5:30 p.m.
Beyond the auction block, the event featured concerts from Billy Ray Cyrus and Lifehouse on March 13 and 14. The concerts, part of Mecum Auctions “Sunset Sessions,” went from 6-9 p.m.
But collector cars are the main attraction at Mecum. A 1970 Dodge Hemi Challenger R/T Convertible was the top seller during last year’s auction at $1.43 million. Other vehicles, Magers said, sold for $5,000.