Mecum Dallas 2024
The first day of Mecum‘s 2024 Dallas Auction ended with the top seller being a 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 3LZ Convertible that went for $156,200. Prices are certain to rise in the remaining three days with quite an impressive array of classic and modern muscle cars set to cross the block on Thursday, September 5 along with more modern collectibles that will sell Friday and Saturday.
Out of the 83,032 Dodge Challengers sold for 1970, only 2,400 were equipped with the T/A package, based on the Trans Am production car racing series. These were equipped with a 340 cubic inch V8 that was de-stroked to 305 cubic inches and equipped with three two-barrel carburetors.
The example being offered by Mecum received a rotisserie restoration that was completed in 2014 and has been well-maintained since that time. It’s a true factory-spec Challenger T/A and is equipped with a date-correct replacement 340 engine block and a four-speed manual transmission. It also sports an upgraded suspension, part of the Rallye package, as well as power brakes with front discs.
Photographs of the restoration are included with the car as well as a copy of the original broadcast sheet, a fender tag decoding report, and a dyno sheet.
The shaker hood can boost the value of these by as much as 15-20% so one in good condition, although not quite concours-level can bring as much as $125,000 on the auction block. If this sells for anymore than that, one would be hard pressed to call it anything other than well-sold.
1972 would prove to be a disappointing year in terms of Mustang sales with the total dropping to just over 125,000 units. The Mach 1 variant that will be offered by Mecum in Dallas was the second most popular configuration with 27,675 examples produced.
Due to a change in how horsepower figures were calculated the power outputs were significantly lower than the previous years. The four-barrel 351 cubic inch V8 was rated at just 168 horsepower. Although there was an optional HO V8, that was produced in very limited numbers totaling about 1,000 cars.
The example being offered here is restored and presents very nicely in PPG Gloss Black paint. It’s equipped with factory air conditioning along with power steering and power brakes with front discs.
While these aren’t the most desirable version of the Mach 1, good condition examples such as this can bring upwards of $40,000 at auction – perhaps more with the right bidders in the room.
1971 continued the second generation of the Chevrolet Camaro, featuring a somewhat more streamlined, sporty look than the original. Although performance figures were reduced for 1971, with the 350 cubic inch L48 V8 producing less power than the previous year, these were still popular and enjoyed when they were new.
The example being offered by Mecum is unrestored and was kept by its original owner for 47 years. It’s a matching-numbers car with the M20 four-speed manual transmission and is equipped with power steering and power brakes with front discs. It includes two build sheets and the Protect-O-Plate and presents a decision for its next owner – keep the car as it is, or go all-in on a restoration?
A concours-quality Camaro SS with the L48 from 1971 tops out in value a bit north of $50,000, so a full restoration may be a bridge too far. But keeping this car as a survivor, handling mechanical work but otherwise preserving it? That may prove to be the right choice for the next owner.
Powered by a 5.7L V8 that’s paired with an automatic transmission, this 1989 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z Coupe is a bit of an outlier for us. While this generation Camaro was no doubt enjoyed in its day, most collectors don’t think of these when the name Camaro pops into their heads. But this one is something special.
Although more than 110,000 Camaros were produced that year, just over 20,000 were optioned as the IROC-Z Coupe. This car presents exceptionally well with its Bright Red exterior and matching red interior. It’s equipped with air conditioning and alloy wheels, but what really makes this car special is its mileage – it shows just 120 miles since it left the showroom floor (120.5 at the time of cataloguing to be exact).
Prices on this generation Camaro have been fairly steady for the past few years, but an example such as this with incredibly low mileage would rank no lower than a 1 on our condition scale. There aren’t many, if any comparable cars to this one from this generation so bidding could approach $45,000 – a very strong price for a 1989 Chevrolet Camaro.
Introduced in 1987, the GNX was the ultimate performance version of the Buick Grand National. It was developed in conjunction with McLaren and ASC to serve as the big sendoff for the RWD Regal platform and was produced in limited numbers with just 547 being completed.
It’s powered by a 3.8L turbocharged V6 that produced 276 horsepower and 360 lb-ft of torque that was delivered to the rear wheels by an automatic transmission. Every example was finished in the now-iconic black paint with a black and gray interior.
The example here will be offered by Mecum on Saturday and is the 108th GNX built. It presents nicely and its odometer shows just 13,000 miles. While we can’t be certain the mileage is accurate, there’s nothing evidenced in the photographs of the car to lead us to believe otherwise.
There was a time when these were increasingly common at auctions, but the market seems to have settled a bit which may make this the ideal time for the consignor to sell this GNX. Prices for examples of a similar condition have been exceeding $200,000 recently so it won’t shock us to see this car sell for something in that range.
Next for Mecum
Mecum is prepping to sell plenty more cars before the end of 2024 with their next auction scheduled for October 3-5 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis, IN. Currently 1,000 vehicles are expected to be offered at that auction with even more set to follow before the year is out.