Mecum looks to improve on their 2022 showing in Glendale – at which they recorded $66.3 million in sales and a solid 78% sell-through rate – when they return to State Farm Stadium for the fifth time. Mecum Glendale 2023 is expected to offer nearly 2,000 vehicles for sale in addition to a variety of memorabilia.
The auction runs from March 28 to April 1 and is packed with exciting cars that should have no problem grabbing the attention of bidders on location, on the phone, and online. A collection of Corvette Pace Car Editions, along with two Corvettes that were used as race-official Pace Cars will hit the auction block along with our own personal Top Ten list, as follows.
Commonly known as the last great Ferrari developed under the auspices of Enzo Ferrari himself, the F40 began life as a dream to compete in Group B rally races, an improvement on the 288 GTO. Sadly the FIA shut down Group B racing in 1986, forever depriving us of the battle between the 288 GTO Evoluzione and the Porsche 959. Undeterred, Ferrari developed the car into the F40, named for the 40th anniversary of the storied brand. This specific example is one of 213 F40s that were built for the US market and is Ferrari Classiche-certified having covered just 3,413 miles since new. This is an excellent example of a relatively modern collectible supercar that’s seen enough use to justify more than a permanent parking spot in someone’s collection.
Finished in stunning Apex Blue with a black and yellow interior, this is one of about 700 CR-edition S2000 models delivered to the US market. It’s powered by a 2.2L inline four-cylinder engine with a remarkable redline of 8,000 RPM. It includes the hardtop and rear wing, but is definitely meant for driving rather than cruising with the radio delete option. Low mileage S2000 CRs were bringing some impressive figures in the past 18 months and while this example does have a reserve, Mecum should be able to get enough bidders on the car to get a deal done on the block.
This is number 249 of 249 examples of the Shelby Series 1 Convertible built by Shelby American. Carroll Shelby himself signed the engine cover, not a claim too many other cars can make. The odometer shows only 4,645 miles, indicating that it’s been driven, but not too much. The six-speed manual transmission is paired with a 4.0L V8 that was unfortunately detuned from the original vision of an engine straight from Indycar. Setting aside the lower power than was originally intended by Shelby, the Series 1 Convertible has withstood the test of time and a low mileage example such as this should prove quite attractive to bidders at Mecum Glendale 2023.
This 2020 McLaren Speedtail is stunning in Heritage Gloss Steel Blue with a Semi-Aniline Metallic Blue Silver leather interior. Number 87 of 106 examples built in 2020, this is a throwback to the three-seat, centered-driver position of the McLaren F1. Its hybrid powertrain produces more than 1,000 horsepower. This car shows just 275 miles, a solid number that indicates it wasn’t driven excessively, nor was it parked from the moment it was delivered to the first owner. This is set to be one of the major cars to cross the block in Glendale on Saturday, April 1.
Lamborghini continues to be a brand that pushes the limits of automotive technology, but they’ve failed to improve on one thing – no model has had a better name than the Diablo. The 1998 Diablo VT Roadster that’s set to cross the block at Mecum Glendale 2023 on Friday March 31 is one of fewer than 200 examples imported to the US and is powered by a 5.7L V12, delivering power through a five-speed manual transmission to Lamborghini’s all-wheel drive system. The odometer shows 42,506 km – about 26,422 miles – making it a collectible that a new owner won’t be afraid to drive.
This is a fairly clean example of the ever more desirable Porsche 944 with a matching numbers engine and a five-speed transmission. Finished in Chiffon White with a Cadbury Brown leather interior, it certainly looks better than the 89,580 miles shown on the odometer would imply. Equipped with power steering and power windows, fairly extensive documentation on the car’s history post-1993 is included in the sale, along with two original keys and a set of 944 manuals. Hitting the block on Wednesday, even with a reserve this Porsche should be able to find a new home in Glendale.
It wouldn’t feel right to see an auction as large as Mecum Glendale 2023 without a Shelby appearing in the WMCW Top Ten, and this is a particularly interesting GT350H. The majority of the Hertz “Rent-A-Racer” Shelbys were equipped with automatic transmissions, though many of those have subsequently been converted to four-speed manuals. This one, however, still sports the automatic transmission that’s paired with a period-correct 289 cid V8. It underwent a nut and bolt restoration and the black paint with the Hertz gold stripes looks impeccable. It’s listed in the Shelby Registry, tracing its history throughout New England and down to New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Most enthusiasts who would bid on this may want a manual transmission, but there’s nothing wrong with an automatic in a car that was equipped as such from the factory.
This Datsun 280ZX Turbo 2+2 is being sold by its original owner, following a restoration to its original paint and interior specifications. This is more than just any old Datsun, having been special ordered in 1981 and not received from the dealer in Japan for almost a full year. The included documentation shows that this is a one-of-one car with the black and tan color combination along with the Premium GL package, featuring a five-speed manual transmission and T-Tops. It boasts air conditioning and four-wheel disc brakes along with the factory stereo and has been well-maintained from new. Understandably this 280ZX has a reserve, but crossing the block on Wednesday means there could be an opportunity for a skillful bidder to get a well-bought turbocharged Datsun.
This is certainly an interesting car. Not the fastest – it is a 1984 Oldsmobile after all – but it definitely turns heads. At least once someone looks inside. In the location a normal transmission shifter – automatic or manual – would be found, instead there is the Lightning Rod. This is an automatic transmission and can function as just that, but when the urge to play with the gears strikes, there are three chrome levers that mimic the Dual Gate shifter of the real muscle car era. This car isn’t expected to sell for a lot – probably why it’s selling on Tuesday – but it’s an intriguing piece of automotive ingenuity that will likely increase in value over the coming years.
DeTomaso Panteras are always a hit with everyone at WMCW and this GTS is no exception. It’s one of only 150 examples built, 52 of which were bound for California, although this car was originally sold in Minnesota. According to the Marti Report, which is included with the car, it’s one of 59 built with the Red and Black exterior paint combination and was first sold in January, 1975. A tool kit and the original owners manual are also included in the sale. This car shows just 8,480 miles and sports power windows, air conditioning, and power disc brakes. The Pantera may not be for everyone, but this is an excellent example for fans of DeTomaso.