Mecum’s 2023 Summer Special Returns to Kissimmee on July 6th

Mecum Auctions, the world’s largest collector car auction company is returning to Kissimmee, Florida for the 2023 Summer Special auction. The auction begins on Thursday July 6th and runs through Sunday, July 9th on the familiar grounds of the Osceola Heritage Park. Over 1,500 collector cars are consigned to the auction including 58 Corvettes currently listed with more on the way!

Mecum has had an amazing run of success in Kissimmee with their signature January auction this year achieving a world-record $234 million in sales from the world record 4,000 lots that crossed the auction block. The 2023 Summer Special auction, now in its fourth year, continues to grow in its own right and Corvettes are a big part of that success.

The 2023 Summer Special is currently showing 48 Corvettes consigned to the auction and we expect to see a few more added as we get closer to the auction’s opening on July 6th. Currently, the Corvette consignments can be broken down into these six generations as follows:

C1: 8
C2: 11
C3: 16
C4: 12
C5: 4
C6: 2
C8: 5

Overall, Mecum has assembled quite an array of Corvettes for the Summer Special auction, and there are a number of C3 and C4 Corvettes that may offer some great buying opportunities. I would also be remiss in not pointing out there is a 1992 Batmobile replica that’s included in those vehicle counts. The eclectic group of five C8 Corvettes are also guaranteed to get a look. Included are two C8.R editions and the only Z06 is a 2023 70th Anniversary Coupe in White Pearl Metallic with just five delivery miles. All the C8 Corvettes are scheduled to cross the block on Saturday, July 8th.

Here are five Corvettes that we’ll be keeping our eyes on at the Mecum Summer Special in Kissimmee:

1. Lot S13.1 – 1954 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster

Our first featured car is one of two early Corvettes being offered at NO RESERVE from the Mitchell Estate Collection. This Black 1954 Corvette features a red interior and is powered by the 235/150 hp Blue Flame 6-cylinder engine with side draft carburetors. Options include an AM radio, tachometer, full-size wheel covers, and wide whitewall tires. This roadster wears sequence number 1867 out of 3640 produced during its model year run.

2. Lot S153 – 1955 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster

The 1955 model year featured one of the lowest production numbers in Corvette’s 70 years with only 700 produced, but it’s also the first year of the V8 engine in the Corvette. One of the rarer Corvettes appearing in the Summer Special is this Pennant Blue 1955 Corvette roadster which is just 1 of 45 Pennant Blue Corvettes produced for the year. It’s powered by a 265/195hp V8 engine with a two-speed Powerglide transmission. The matching numbers car has undergone a comprehensive rotisserie restoration and it appears to be in show-ready condition.



3. Lot S70 – 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible

This 1963 Corvette Sting Ray Convertible is offered in Ermine White with a Black interior. It’s powered by the L84 fuel-injected 327/360 hp V8 engine and is coupled to a 4-speed manual transmission. Options include power brakes, power steering, factory AM/FM radio and white sidewall tires. An auxiliary hard top is also shown. This car looks to be in mostly original condition, however, there are few things on it that deserve a closer look. One example is that the transmission shifter appears to be a manual, but the console shows the shift pattern for a Powerglide automatic. Depending on the originality of the chassis and components, this ’63 fuelie could be a great candidate for restoration.



4. Lot S228 – 1965 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible

Lot number 228 is a beautiful 1965 Corvette Sting Ray Convertible finished in Goldwood Yellow, which was the second rarest color for the model year. The Sting Ray was built January 12, 1965 and delivered new to Bill Hall Chevrolet in Andover, Ohio. It was optioned with the L79 327/350 V8 engine coupled to a Muncie 4-speed manual transmission, and it also includes a black interior with power steering, power windows, and power brakes. A black convertible soft top and Goldline radials with the unique ’65 wheel covers complete the look. Documentation includes the NCRS Shipping report as well as extensive receipts from its restoration. This Corvette will be sold at NO RESERVE on Saturday, July 8th.



5. Lot S225 – 2022 Chevrolet Corvette C8.R Edition Coupe

Chevrolet produced 1,000 Corvette C8.R Editions in honor of Corvette Racing’s Championship-winning GTLM C8.R and this Accelerate Yellow C8.R Edition is number 37 of 1,000. The C8.R package included the racing stripes, Black Trident wheels with Jake Center Caps, and the Carbon Flash High Wing Spoiler. Optioned with the 3LT trim package, this special edition is loaded with the Z51 Performance Package, Magnetic Ride Control, Front Lift, and more. Inside is the Sky Cool Gray/Strike Yellow interior with the sueded microfiber, a heated steering wheel, and GT2 seats. There are just 42 miles on this special edition!



Mecum’s 2023 Summer Special will get underway on July 6th at the Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Florida. The gates open at 8:00 AM and the Collector Car Auction starts daily at 10 AM. MotorTrend TV and MotorTrend+ will be providing 12 hours of live auction coverage beginning on Friday, July 7th from 12pm to 6pm ET, and on Saturday, July 8th from 12pm to 6pm ET.

Mecum offers options for in-person, telephone and internet bidding starting at $100, and you can register to bid at Mecum.com. If you want to check out the action as a spectator, click here for ticket info.

Source:
Mecum Auctions