The new year is almost here, and with it comes the World’s Largest Collector Car Auction® ever – Mecum Kissimmee 2024. The auction runs January 2-14 at the Osceola Heritage Park, and full details for the January sale can be found at mecum.com.
Over the last few years, Mecum has been setting records in Kissimmee. Last year’s 12-day run in Central Florida achieved $234 million in total sales with a record 4,000 vehicles offered and 3,180 vehicles sold. This year, over 4,500 vehicles have been consigned, and the online catalog shows over 465 Corvettes offered for sale.
What really makes Mecum Kissimmee a magnet for Corvette enthusiasts are the sheer numbers of Corvettes being offered. All eight generations are well represented, and the quality ranges from drivers and show cars to garage queens and investment-grade collectibles. Throw in some special editions, restomods, and some modern-day muscle with the 2019 ZR1s and the C8 Z06s, and you’ve got a huge selection of Corvettes readily available to cater to any enthusiasts’ tastes.
With an auction the size of Kissimmee, we’re very interested in analyzing the Corvette Consignments to see how many are offered from each generation. Here’s the latest count at the time this preview was published:
C1: 52
C2: 156
C3: 104
C4: 46
C5: 32
C6: 31
C7: 19 (8-ZR1)
C8: 26 (9-Z06)
The consignments include some amazing Corvettes, like the Red/Red 1967 Corvette L88, as well as the First and Last L88 Corvettes being sold as a pair. Then there are the collections that are truly outstanding this year! We’ve already shared the Ultimately Preserved Corvettes from Dr. Mark Davis, and the 1963 Split Window Colorama Collection featuring one in every color. If you prefer White Corvettes, there is the White Corvette Collection, and Rick Treworgy’s Muscle Car City Collection is offering 28 Corvettes (mostly Mid-Years) on the final day of the auction, which is Sunday, January 14th.
There are also some great No Reserve collections being offered in Kissimmee. Sir Richard’s Corvettes and Classics has nine at No Reserve, a “Private No Reserve Collection” is offering 22 Corvettes at No Reserve, and the Maryland No Reserve Collection will sell its seven vehicles at No Reserve on Sunday, January 14th as well.
With over 425 Corvettes being offered for sale, picking out some of our favorites to share has proved to be more difficult than we initially imagined, but we think you’ll find them to be an interesting mix. Here’s a baker’s dozen of Corvettes offered for sale at Mecum Kissimmee:
LOT S185 – 1953 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster
This 1953 Corvette is no. 114 of 300 produced, and it’s one of approximately 150 known to have survived to the present. It’s offered with a numbers-matching 235 ci Blue Flame Six engine with a Powerglide automatic transmission. All first year Corvettes were painted Polo White and outfitted with a Sportsman Red interior and Black canvas top. The car is documented back to 1969 with owner history, registration, prior owner’s title, sales brochure and more. This 1953 Corvette roadster has been professionally body-off restored, during which all colors, inspection markings and assembly methods were accurately replicated. Previously owned for the last 50 years, the recently restored car offers an opportunity to exhibit and compete for trophies, awards, and recognition.
ESTIMATE: $375,000 – $400,000
LOT T262 – 1959 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible
This 1959 Corvette Roadster is offered at No Reserve on Thursday, January 11th. Finished in Roman Red with a matching Red interior, it’s a radio and heater delete car with the RPO 579D fuel injected 283/290 hp V8 engine and T10 4-speed manual transmission. This high performance Corvette was also outfitted with 4.11 Positraction and Off Road exhaust. The car has been body-off restored and comes with the owner’s manual and sales brochure.
ESTIMATE: $100,000 – $125,000
LOT F232 – 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
For the 1963 model year, Zora Arkus-Duntov conceived the Z06 Special Performance Equipment Package that offered the ability to turn a mild-mannered Corvette Sting Ray Coupe into a complete racing machine with a fuel injected solid-lifter 327/360 hp V8 engine and a Muncie M20 wide ratio 4-speed manual transmission. Further racing options included heavy duty springs and shock absorbers, and finned cast iron drum brakes. This 1963 Corvette Z06 is 1 of 199 optioned with the Z06 package and its 1 of 3 Z06s produced in the combination of Daytona Blue with Saddle Leather interior. It’s all original and has 40,781 miles on the odometer. It’s been judged at the highest levels, and a no-expense-spared restoration was performed in late 2022.
ESTIMATE: $700,000 – $800,000
LOT F159 – 1964 Chevrolet Corvette Bill Mitchell Styling Car
Bill Mitchell would take over GM’s Style Department following Harley J. Earl’s retirement, and he was directly responsible for the 1963-67 Corvette Sting Rays. This 1964 Corvette Coupe was specifically built for Mitchell’s personal use, and it features a number of differences from the production Corvettes that include a Bright Blue Metallic exterior with custom Blue leather interior, brushed metal door panels, vent-delete windows and other enhancements. The exterior was differentiated by its larger egg crate grille, wire-spoke wheels, a third tail light, and custom side vent design.
ESTIMATE: $500,000 – $600,000
LOT K160.1 – 1966 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible
This 1966 Corvette Sting Ray Coupe was custom-built by renowned builder Jeff Hayes at American Speed Shop in Bloomington, Indiana. It’s powered by an LS3 GM crate engine rated at 540 hp, and it’s mated to a 4L70E automatic transmission. The body rides on a Coffman chassis with Z06 brakes and suspension, and its C6 Z06 wheels are wrapped in Toyo custom Redline tires. The Sting Ray is finished in Silver Gray Metallic exterior with a custom Red leather interior, and it features Vintage Air conditioning, power steering, power hood, and a custom Haartz cloth convertible top.
ESTIMATE: $275,000 – $350,000
LOT S168 – 1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 Coupe
This 1967 Corvette L88 may be the most watched Corvette at Mecum Kissimmee due to its rarity as it’s 1 of 20 L88s produced in 1967 (of which only a little over half are known to exist), and it’s the only one painted Rally Red with the Red interior. The L88s were equipped with the heavy duty M22 Rock Crusher 4-speed transmission, transistor ignition, heavy duty power disc brakes, heavy duty suspension, heater and radio delete, and a special cowl induction hood. This Sting Ray has been Bloomington Gold Certified, won NCRS Top Flight and the Duntov Mark of Excellence Award, and it’s been part of several L88 Anniversary gatherings, Bloomington Gold Special Collections, and more.
ESTIMATE: $3,400,000 – $3,800,000
Watch the video on this 1967 Corvette L88.
LOT F169 – 1969 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe
From the Dr. Mark Davis collection comes this Cortez Silver over Black 1969 Corvette Coupe that’s believed to be one of the lowest mile unrestored original 1969 Corvettes known to exist with 11,050 miles showing on the odometer. This 1969 Corvette has won all the awards and received all the certifications. It’s so original that it has been used to train NCRS judges, and it was extensively photographed for the NCRS and their 1969 Judging Manual. This car has every original document, paper, manuals, copies of previous owners’ titles and insurance cards, original postcards from the selling dealer and it comes with a 9-page summary of the car’s history.
ESTIMATE: $125,000 – $175,000
Watch the video on the Ultimately Preserved Corvette Collection.
LOT J212 – 1972 Chevrolet Corvette LT1 Convertible
Another No Reserve auction comes with this 1972 Corvette LT1 Convertible with just 25,243 miles on the odometer. Stored in a heated garage since 1985, the numbers matching 350/255 hp LT1 V8 engine was removed, refreshed, and reinstalled, and it’s backed by a 4-speed manual transmission with a new clutch assembly. The gas tank was also removed and flushed and it also has a new radiator. This car still retains its factory-applied Steel Cities Gray exterior paint and the Black interior is original as well. Options include power brakes, Tinted Windshield, AM/FM radio, and Rally Wheels with BF Goodrich Radial T/A tires.
ESTIMATE: $60,000 – $75,000
LOT T258 – 1978 Chevrolet Corvette Pace Car Edition
This 1978 Corvette Indy 500 Pace Car was sold new at Potamkin Motors in North Plainfield, New Jersey. The original owner trailered the car home from the dealership, and it remained on jack stands until 2003. The Pace Car was then part of the Ed Foss collection from 2003 until 2015. It’s powered by the L82 350/220 hp V8 engine and coupled to a 4-speed manual transmission. This Pace Car is equipped with the Gymkhana suspension and the CB radio. The window sticker is still intact, and it’s documented with the build sheet and copy of the MSO. It’s been certified Gold by Bloomington Gold, won NCRS Top Flight and 4-Star Bowtie Awards, and it was awarded the Chevy VetteFest Triple Crown in 2004.
ESTIMATE: $60,000 – $80,000
LOT F153 – 2004 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Commemorative Edition
This 2004 Corvette Z06 Commemorative Edition is part of the Apex Collection, and it’s 1 of 2,025 Commemorative Edition Z06s built to celebrate Corvette Racing’s win at Le Mans. It’s powered by the LS6 5.7L/405 hp V8 engine with a 6-speed manual transmission, and the Z06 is further differentiated from the Coupe and Convertible special editions with a special painted Carbon Fiber hood with Silver/Red stripes. There are only 893 miles showing on the odometer, and it’s offered with manuals, the Commemorative Edition portfolio, instructional CD, and two keys.
ESTIMATE: $60,000 – $80,000
LOT J177.1 – 2007 Chevrolet Corvette Ron Fellows Edition Coupe
Offered as part of the White Corvette Collection, GM created a special run of Z06s in 2007 to commemorate Ron Fellows and the GT1 Championship in the American Le Mans Series. Only 399 examples of the 2007 Corvette Z06 Ron Fellows Championship Edition were built with 100 of those exported to Ron Fellows’ home country of Canada. There are only 156 miles showing on the odometer. Powered by the LS7 427/505 hp V8 engine and mated to a 6-speed manual transmission, this car is no. 121 of 399 and includes a certificate of authenticity and Ron’s signature under the center console door. The special edition was painted in Arctic White with featured Red metallic hash marks with the Canadian Maple Leaf motif.
ESTIMATE: $60,000 – $70,000
LOT S119.1 – 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Convertible
From the Michael Fux Collection comes this Artic White 2019 Corvette ZR1 Convertible. The C7’s swan song gets its power from the special 6.2L/755 hp V8 engine, and it has just 718 miles on the odometer. Offered with an automatic transmission, the car is equipped with the 3ZR premium trim group, and its white exterior is contrasted with the Spice Red Napa leather interior and red convertible top. Chrome wheels, Red brake calipers, and the low wing give it plenty of curb appeal.
ESTIMATE: $200,000 – $250,000
LOT S15 – 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 3LZ Convertible
The Mark Welborn Collection is offering at No Reserve this 9-mile 2023 Corvette Z06 Convertible in Amplify Orange with a Jet Black interior. It has a 3LZ trim package and options include the carbon fiber steering wheel, carbon fiber interior trim, Stealth interior trim package, and a set of premium leather weekend travel bags. In addition to the bespoke 5.5L/670 hp V8 engine and its 8-speed DCT, the car is also equipped with Brembo Carbon Ceramic Brakes with Orange brake calipers. Factory warranty is intact. No estimate offered.
Mecum Kissimmee 2024
Mecum’s 2024 Kissimmee Auction will be held January 2-14 at the Osceola Heritage Park, and an estimated 4,500 collector vehicles are consigned to the sale. The gates open at 8:00 am ET and the auction action kicks off daily at 10 am ET, except for Jan. 11-13, when it starts at 9 am ET. MotorTrend TV and MotorTrend+ will be providing extensive television coverage on its platforms, so click here for the TV schedule.
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, general admission tickets are $30 but CorvetteBlogger readers can get them for $15/day by using the promo code: CORVETTEDAY. We’re going to be on site on Thursday, January 11th, and you’re welcome to join us for several tours held that day. Children 12 and younger receive complimentary admission.
For more information on any of these great Corvettes or any other collector cars on the Mecum Kissimmee docket, head over to Mecum.com. Check out this promo video below:
Source:
Mecum Auctions
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That’s an amazing number of Corvettes for just one auction!
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