Mecum Auto Auctions Houston 2026
The collector car world is turning its attention to Texas this spring as Mecum Houston 2026 prepares to roll into the NRG Center in Houston for three days of high-energy bidding from April 9 – 11, 2026. With more than 1,000 vehicles slated to cross the block, this is shaping up to be one of the most exciting stops on the Mecum Auctions calendar.
Whether you’re a serious bidder, a first-time buyer, or a die-hard enthusiast who just wants to soak in the atmosphere, the Mecum Houston auction delivers a can’t-miss experience at one of Texas’s premier venues.
What Is Mecum Houston 2026?
Mecum Auctions, recognized as the world’s largest collector car auction company, returns to Houston’s NRG Center – located at One NRG Park – for its annual spring event. The three-day auction kicks off Thursday, April 9 and runs through Saturday, April 11, with bidding starting each morning at 9:00 AM.
The lineup at Mecum Houston 2026 spans everything from pre-war classics and 1960s American muscle to modern exotics and motorcycles. Alongside the vehicles, attendees can enjoy Road Art auctions featuring vintage neon signs and automotive memorabilia, making it a full-day event for collectors and spectators alike.
Star Lot: 1962 Ford Thunderbird M-Code Sports Roadster
Among the most anticipated entries at the Mecum Houston 2026 auction is an extraordinary piece of early-1960s American automotive history: a 1962 Ford Thunderbird Sports Roadster carrying the ultra-rare M-Code designation, listed as Lot S110.1 on Saturday, April 11.
To understand just how special this car is, a little context is essential. For the 1962 model year, Ford produced just 1,427 Sports Roadsters – a limited-run two-passenger variant of the “Bullet Bird” that featured a fiberglass tonneau cover over the rear seat, chrome wire wheels, and a distinctive roadster persona. But only 120 of those Sports Roadsters were ordered with the optional M-Code engine – a high-performance 390 cubic-inch V8 breathing through three two-barrel Holley carburetors in a tri-power configuration that produced 340 horsepower. That “M” designation was stamped directly into the fifth position of the VIN, making these cars instantly identifiable to knowledgeable collectors.
The Mecum Houston example is one of just 58 known surviving M-Code Sports Roadsters – and remarkably, just 1 of 4 documented in Raven Black over Red according to the Thunderbird M-Code Registry. Critically, the car retains its matching-numbers M-Code 390/340 HP Tri-Power V8, complete with original 406 high-performance cylinder heads, aluminum high-rise intake manifold, Holley Tri-Power carburetors, and special distributor.
Adding to the provenance, delivery was documented on July 6, 1962, through Spence Ford of Boyertown, Pennsylvania. The car has since undergone a comprehensive two-year concours nut-and-bolt restoration by Classic Garage of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, performed under the guidance of M-Code authority and VTCI Technical Editor Jim Wulf, and restored to VTCI concours standards using NOS components. It has been driven just approximately 75 miles since the restoration was completed. This is, without question, one of the finest M-Code Thunderbirds in existence – and a likely show-stopper at the Mecum Houston auction.
Don't Miss: 1968 Chevrolet Camaro RS/Z28
American muscle fans will want to keep a close eye on a matching-numbers 1968 Chevrolet Camaro RS/Z28, one of the most historically significant muscle cars ever produced.
The 1968 Z28 occupies a legendary place in American automotive lore. Chevrolet developed the Z/28 option package specifically to compete in the SCCA Trans-Am racing series, which required engines displacing no more than 5 liters. The result was a purpose-built, solid-lifter 302 cubic-inch small-block V8 – constructed by combining a 327 block with a 283 crankshaft – conservatively factory-rated at 290 horsepower, though real-world output was notably higher. The package also included a close-ratio 4-speed Muncie manual transmission, heavy-duty front disc brakes, a 12-bolt rear axle, stiffer suspension, and those iconic twin hood-and-trunk racing stripes.
Chevrolet built just 7,199 Camaros with the Z/28 option for 1968 – making them rare even when new. A matching-numbers survivor carrying the RS (Rally Sport) appearance package combines two distinct desirability checkboxes into one car, making it exactly the kind of lot that draws serious bidder attention at the Mecum Houston 2026 auction.
More Highlights at Mecum Houston
The broader lineup at Mecum Houston 2026 is deep with desirable iron. Several other standout lots include a perfectly restored 1958 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible – one of only 455 produced in Panama Yellow with Snowcrest White coves – that earned an NCRS Top Flight Award scoring 96.6%. Also on the docket is a 1966 Dodge Hemi Coronet 500, one of just 204 produced with a 4-speed manual transmission and the matching-numbers 426/425 HP Street Hemi.
Rounding out the eclectic mix is a 1934 Ford Custom Limousine (one of only 2 produced by Downs Industries), a pristine 1998 Land Rover Defender 90, and a wild 2011 Chevrolet Camaro SLP ZL585 – No. 33 of 250 produced – packing a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 rated at 585 horsepower and 550 lb-ft of torque.
How to Attend or Bid
The Mecum Houston 2026 auction takes place April 9 – 11 at NRG Center in Houston, Texas. Bidders and spectators can register at mecum.com, where online bidding is also available for those who can’t make it to Houston in person. With over 1,000 lots spanning six decades of automotive history, this is the kind of event that reminds you why collector cars remain one of the most compelling – and competitive – categories in the world of collecting.