Mickey Thompson’s 1963 Corvette Z06 Up for Grabs at Mecum’s Seattle Auction

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Mickey Thompson's 1963 Corvette Z06 Up for Grabs at Mecum's Seattle Auction

Clearly Mecum’s Seattle auction is shaping up to be a blockbuster for Corvette enthusiasts. In addition to the L88 “double feature” we reported earlier this week now Dana Mecum and his team have added another rare Corvette to their first ever Seattle event, Mickey Thompson’s personal 1963 Z06.

On June 13th and 14th, Corvette collectors can bid on a 1967 L88, a 1969 L88, and Thompson’s 1963 Z06. These are some of the rarest, most coveted and most valuable Corvettes ever produced. There’s not much more Mecum could throw into the equation to make it any more exciting for Corvette collectors unless they could find a ZL1 or an original Grand Sport to add to their other three bluechip Corvettes.

In the Corvette collector car market the 1963 Z06, as well as the second and third generation L88’s, are perhaps the three bluest blue chip collector Corvettes. Their values have been extremely strong during the last few years and are currently they are currently at their all time high market valuations. Few Corvettes have rebounded to their pre 2008 values but the L88’s and Z06’s have not only gotten back to those levels but are currently at their peak in terms of both desirability and price. On top of that, any of those optioned Corvettes with a proven competition provenance are selling for an added hefty premium. So on the barometer of Z06 desirability Mickey Thompson’s personal Z06 is right up there. There simply aren’t many names in the history of early Corvette competition better known than Mickey Thompson: road racer, drag racer, and speed record holder.

This restored Corvette is one of only 199 second generation Z06’s produced and has the L84 327/360 HP Fuel Injection engine, M20 close-ratio 4-speed transmission, and the N03 36 gallon fuel tank. Corvette Mike posted a short walk around video on YouTube about this Z06:

For over twenty years this car was originally thought to have been Thompson’s Allstate Corvette which tested tires at the Bonneville Salt Flats. But there was considerable controversy about that claim, so before the Z06 was sent across the block at Mecum’s 2012 Monterey auction, Dana Mecum hired Prove It.™, a research team headed by Bloomington Gold founder, David Burroughs to find out the actual provenance of the Corvette, to either prove or disprove the claim. Prove It.™ collected historic photography, testimony from expert witnesses, testimony from the restorer, and relevant materials associated with the vehicle.

Prove It.™ concluded this Corvette VIN #6844 was not the Allstate Bonneville test car as originally thought. However, it concluded that it was Mickey Thompson’s personal Corvette. It was also determined that Thompson used this Corvette in advertisements for his custom wheel business. This white, Z06 “tanker” was the Corvette he chose to reinforce his image and as well as his daily driver. Aside from being a drag racer, a Corvette race team owner and driver, and businessman, Thompson was well known for setting the land speed record at 406 MPH.

To illustrate the strength of the second generation Z06’s, three were offered this past January at Mecum’s Kissimmee auction. Though only one met the consignor’s reserve and was hammered sold at $475K, there was spirited bidding for the others, one bid to above $500K and the Z06 with a competition provenance, formerly raced by Dick Lang and owned by Terry Michaelis, was bid to $900K. A few weeks after the Kissimmee auction, Michaelis sold the Lang Z06, reportedly for more than the $900K high bid. In 2009 a former Delmo Johnson / Dave Johnson Z06 race car was bid to $700K and also failed to meet reserve.

This will be the second time this same Corvette, Lot S140, will cross the block in a Mecum auction. It is scheduled to be offered Saturday afternoon, June 14, in Seattle. Almost two years ago after Prove It. ™ verified it to be Thompson’s personal Corvette, the Z06 was hammered sold for $475K during the 2012 Monterey Mecum auction. It will be a good gauge of the Corvette collector market to see what happens to it in Seattle as long as the consignor has placed a realistic reserve on the car.

In any event the Z06 will be in stately company with the two L88’s also crossing the block. And even if you’re not the winning bidder on one or all of these outstanding Corvettes, collectors and enthusiasts will be treated to an afternoon of Corvette rapture in Seattle on Saturday, June 14th.

Mickey Thompson's 1963 Corvette Z06 Up for Grabs at Mecum's Seattle Auction Mickey Thompson's 1963 Corvette Z06 Up for Grabs at Mecum's Seattle Auction Mickey Thompson's 1963 Corvette Z06 Up for Grabs at Mecum's Seattle Auction
Mickey Thompson's 1963 Corvette Z06 Up for Grabs at Mecum's Seattle Auction Mickey Thompson's 1963 Corvette Z06 Up for Grabs at Mecum's Seattle Auction Mickey Thompson's 1963 Corvette Z06 Up for Grabs at Mecum's Seattle Auction
Mickey Thompson's 1963 Corvette Z06 Up for Grabs at Mecum's Seattle Auction Mickey Thompson's 1963 Corvette Z06 Up for Grabs at Mecum's Seattle Auction Mickey Thompson's 1963 Corvette Z06 Up for Grabs at Mecum's Seattle Auction

About “Prove It.™”
Corvette Blogger posted David Burroughs’ concise slide presentation of exactly how “Prove It.™” works and in it references this Z06. CorvetteBlogger’s Steve Burns summarized the “Prove It.™” program in a 2012 article and YouTube video.


Rick Tavel writes about automobiles with an emphasis on Corvettes and the hobby in general. You can see his website at Corvetted


Source:
Mecum Auctions

Related:
Prove It Aims to Resolve Controversy Affecting the Reputation of a Collector Car
Mecum to Offer a Fathom Green 1969 L88 Corvette Coupe at its Seattle Auction
Blue Chip 1967 L88 Corvette to be Featured at Mecum’s Inaugural Seattle Auction

 



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