Mecum Auctions Monterey 2024: Mike's Collection
The eponymously named Mike’s Collection will be a highlight of Mecum‘s auction during Monterey Car Week 2024. The collection consists primarily of European exotics from famed marques such as Ferrari and Lamborghini with a couple muscle car related surprises for good measure. Let’s take a closer look at the classic and collector cars that will cross the auction block in Monterey this month.
The first of the two 25th Anniversary Editions offered from Mike’s Collection, this one is finished in black with a black interior and shows just 1,079 miles making it a remarkably low mileage example of a car that seems to have gotten some actual use. The Countach was a monumental vehicle for Lamborghini, years ahead of its time and from when it first went on sale in 1974 there was no denying the impact it would have on supercars for years, indeed decades to come.
The second example of the 25th Anniversary Countach to be offered from Mike’s Collection is finished in a very fitting white with a black and red interior. Just like the other one, this is powered by a 5.2L V12 engine that generates 455 horsepower and is paired with a five-speed manual transmission. This will likely be the better buy in terms of value for the dollar, simply due to the higher mileage but that shouldn’t dissuade collectors from placing bids on either of these Lamborghinis.
The Lamborghini Diablo was a fantasy for so many who grew up in the 1990s, and perhaps no variant was more worthy of fantasizing than the Diablo VT Roadster. The VT letter indicates that it’s equipped with the all-wheel drive Viscous Traction system that was developed from the LM002. The VT system helps deliver all 530 horsepower generated by its 5.7L V12 via a five-speed manual transmission.
The Gallardo is when we all watched Lamborghini start to get a bit weird with their paint offerings. This 2008 Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder is finished in a green that almost looks like it jumped out of the 1950s, but somehow it works. Its black interior features green stitching and piping to complement the paint. The Gallardo is powered by a 5.0L V10 that produces 520 horsepower that is sent to the all-wheel drive system via an automatic transmission.
What’s especially noteworthy about this specific Gallardo Spyder is that it’s covered just 1,112 miles since new. That’s right in the sweet spot of being practically new, but still having seen some real use. This should be a huge draw for fans of the Gallardo.
The Ferrari 575M, powered by a 5.7L engine and only 57 miles since new! This stuns in Rosso Corsa and is equipped with an F1-style transmission with paddle shifters to deliver the 515 horsepower generated by its V12.
The 575M was the successor to the 550 Maranello that Ferrari introduced in 1996, a move that saw a return to the front-engined days of the Daytona. The 575M improved on the already impressive 550 Maranello with additional horsepower from its 5.7L V12 and an adaptive suspension that adjusted itself during gear changes for increased performance.
The Ferrari 360 Spider, introduced in the year 2000, represents a remarkable milestone in Ferrari’s journey of innovation and design excellence. This convertible variant of the acclaimed Ferrari 360 Modena model boasts an all-aluminum space frame that offers exceptional rigidity and reduced weight, showcasing Ferrari’s commitment to engineering advancements. Equipped with a powerful 3.6-liter V8 engine producing 400 horsepower, the 360 Spider delivers impressive performance capabilities, boasting a top speed of approximately 180 mph and accelerating from 0-60 mph in around 4.4 seconds.
Its innovative electro-hydraulic system allows the soft-top roof to retract seamlessly, transforming the coupe into an open-top sports car within just 20 seconds. The combination of its elegant design, cutting-edge technology, and exhilarating driving experience solidifies the 360 Spider as a modern classic, exemplifying Ferrari’s dedication to innovation, luxury, and performance in the early 21st century.
The example being offered from Mike’s Collection presents in a stunning Grigio Alloy paint with a blue soft top and beige leather interior. It’s covered just 6,012 miles since it was new, making for a very rare opportunity to buy this modern classic as though it’s still in its first year of ownership.
The successor to Ferrari’s incredibly popular 308 series, the 328 was introduced in 1989 and featured subtle but worthy styling updates that proved to be a timeless design. Powered by a 3.2L V8 that again utilized Quattrovalvole cylinder heads, the increase in displacement meant an increase in power, generating 260 horsepower that could propel the car from 0 to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds and a top speed of 153 mph.
Showing 10,283 miles, this example stuns in Rosso Corsa and is equipped with a removable targa top. Short of a Testarossa, this is the ideal Ferrari from the 1980s and should command a price in accordance with that.
This 1974 DeTomaso Pantera is one of only 255 finished in yellow and is equipped with a very clean interior finished in black with bucket seats and a gated shifter. The 351 cubic inch V8 supplied by Ford is absolutely stunning positioned behind the passenger compartment.
Paneras are always a draw at car shows and auctions so this one, showing 21,850 miles and equipped with air conditioning, power windows, and an AM/FM stereo should have no trouble finding a new home.
More From Mike's Collection
Mike’s Collection will cross the block at Mecum’s Monterey sale on August 17 and includes a few other surprises than we’ve listed here. Jaguar E-Type fans won’t want to miss it, nor will anyone seeking a low-mileage 2006 Ford GT!