Indy Fall Special 2025
Following the success of the Larry Klairmont Auction, Mecum held their 2025 Indy Fall Special Auction last week and some impressive classic cars – clean restorations and custom restomods – crossed the auction block. There were a stunning array of muscle cars on offer so we’re going to take a look at the top selling muscle cars here.
The 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 Fastback represents one of the most extreme examples of the muscle car era’s obsession with homologation – the process of creating street-legal production cars solely to qualify an engine for competitive racing. Unlike the original Shelby GT350, which was built for the SCCA road courses, the Boss 429 was engineered with a singular focus on the high-speed ovals of NASCAR. Ford needed an engine that could challenge Chrysler’s dominant 426 Hemi, and the resulting answer was a massive 429 cubic-inch semi-hemispherical V8.
The problem, however, was that the new, physically enormous engine simply did not fit in a standard Mustang engine bay. To meet NASCAR’s production requirement of at least 500 road-going copies, Ford contracted the specialized engineering firm Kar Kraft of Brighton, Michigan, to hand-build each car. This process involved extensive modifications: the front shock towers were aggressively reshaped, the suspension was heavily revised to handle the immense front-end weight, and the battery was relocated to the trunk to help balance the chassis. The result was an understated yet unmistakable machine – a street Mustang with an almost comically large, functional hood scoop, housing a thinly disguised race engine beneath. Though factory-rated at a conservative 375 horsepower for insurance purposes, the true output was far higher, cementing the Boss 429’s legacy as a rare, uncompromising, and supremely powerful homologation special.
This was the top seller at Mecum’s Indy Fall Special and it’s worth noting that the proceeds from the sale will go to the Tulsa Community Foundation.
Sold for $247,500
The 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 stands as the climactic final chapter in the storied history of the internal-combustion Challenger, representing the last and most extreme example of Dodge’s “Last Call” special-edition series. Unlike earlier muscle cars focused on homologation for road courses or high-speed ovals, the Demon 170 was built with a singular, unapologetic purpose: domination of the drag strip straight out of the factory. It served as a definitive, maximalist farewell to the Hellcat platform and the HEMI V8 engine that had defined the brand for nearly two decades.
In a move that shattered expectations and production car records, Dodge engineers heavily revised the 6.2L supercharged V8 engine, boosting output to a staggering 1,025 horsepower and 945 lb-ft of torque when fueled with an E85 ethanol blend – the “170” in the name referencing the fuel’s 170 proof alcohol content. This monumental power was channeled through a comprehensively reinforced driveline and specialized drag suspension, enabling the Demon 170 to achieve a production car record of 0–60 mph in a blistering 1.66 seconds.
The ultimate testament to its specialized design came when the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) banned the stock car from competition for running a quarter-mile time of 8.91 seconds without mandated safety equipment like a roll cage. With production limited to just 3,300 units, the 2023 Demon 170 cemented its place not just as the fastest muscle car ever built, but as a legendary, uncompromising tribute to the V8 performance.
This example covered just 14 miles since new and includes its factory-equipped Demon 170 car cover and other factory-supplied accessories.
Sold for $176,000
The 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 stands as the definitive climax of the C7 generation, serving as the ultimate front-engine, rear-wheel-drive statement before the brand’s monumental shift to the mid-engine C8. Reviving the legendary ZR1 designation – a name reserved only for the pinnacle of Corvette performance – this model was engineered not just to compete with, but to surpass, the world’s most exclusive supercars. Unlike its drag-focused contemporary rivals, the ZR1 was designed as a track-honed weapon, utilizing extensive aerodynamic and cooling innovations to dominate road courses while still maintaining daily drivability.
At its core lay the exclusive LT5 6.2L supercharged V8 engine. This powerplant featured a 52% larger supercharger than the Z06’s LT4, along with GM’s first-ever dual-fuel-injection system (combining direct and port injection), enabling it to produce an SAE-certified 755 horsepower and 715 lb-ft of torque. This extreme power output, which made it the most powerful production Chevrolet ever built at the time, was channeled through either a seven-speed manual transmission or an available eight-speed automatic.
The example sold by Mecum at their Indy Fall Special auction is equipped with the automatic transmission and traveled just over 3,200 miles since new. It features the carbon fiber ground effects package and looks great in Sebring Orange.
Sold for $162,250
The 1966 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible represents the peak of the C2 Sting Ray design just one year before its final iteration. Built upon the revolutionary chassis engineered by Zora Arkus-Duntov – featuring its celebrated four-wheel independent suspension – the ’66 convertible combined race-proven handling with the sleek, aerodynamically refined styling initially conceived by Bill Mitchell and his team. This model year successfully blended high-performance engineering with the classic open-top roadster experience, making it a critical sales success for Chevrolet.
The example sold by Mecum at their Indy Fall Special auction benefits from a frame-off restoration along with some notable upgrades including a five-speed transmission and chrome wheels. It was well-sold at $137,500.
Sold for $137,500
The 1965 Pontiac GTO Convertible stands as a monumental figure in automotive lore, representing the moment the American muscle car concept officially exploded into the mainstream. While the GTO option package—created by a rebellious team led by John DeLorean, Bill Collins, and Russ Gee—debuted on the intermediate Tempest Le Mans chassis in 1964, the restyled 1965 model solidified its status as a market phenomenon. The ’65 GTO, still technically an option package, was characterized by its aggressive new styling, featuring the now-iconic vertically stacked quad headlamps and a crisper body that increased the overall length by 3.1 inches.
The example sold by Mecum at the 2025 Indy Fall Special auction benefits from a thorough restoration that includes an LS6 V8 paired with a six-speed Tremec manual transmission. It features a new power convertible top, a custom exhaust, and stunningly understated aluminum wheels. Considering the cost of restoring the car to this condition, with the included modifications, this was well-bought at $126,500.
Sold for $126,500