Previewing Mecum Houston 2025
Following a strong showing in Glendale, Mecum will return to Houston next month with 1,000 vehicles set to cross the auction block. Several collections will be offered including the Scott Lougheed Collection and a variety of trucks from the Mile High Collection. There are plenty of cars that should excite most collectors and enthusiasts, but we want to highlight two true blue chip collector cars in particular.
The 1970 Plymouth Superbird was a high-performance muscle car designed to dominate in NASCAR. It was an evolution of the Dodge Charger Daytona, featuring a large rear wing and a streamlined nose cone for better stability at high speeds and reduced drag. Under the hood, it came with three powerful V8 engines: the 440 Super Commando with a four-barrel carburetor, the 440 Six-Barrel, and the iconic 426 HEMI which produced 425 horsepower, making it one of the fastest cars of its time. The car could be paired with either a manual or automatic transmission, making it capable of reaching over 150 mph, establishing itself as a formidable force both on the track and in street racing.
What truly sets the 1970 Plymouth Superbird apart is its rarity and rich racing heritage. In order to qualify for competition, manufacturers were required by NASCAR to produce at least 1,920 road-going versions, making it an extremely exclusive and sought-after muscle car today. Although its extreme styling made it polarizing among buyers at the time, its aerodynamic features contributed to Richard Petty’s success in NASCAR, securing its place in racing history. Over the years, the Superbird has become one of the most recognizable American muscle cars and consistently performs well on the auction block.
The 1971 Chevrolet Corvette LS6 Convertible is considered one of the most powerful and rarest Corvettes from its era. It was equipped with a 454 cubic-inch V8 engine, which delivered an impressive 425 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque. This high-performance big-block engine featured solid lifters, an aluminum intake manifold, and a Holley four-barrel carburetor, making it one of the most potent powerplants available in American sports cars at that time. The car could be paired with either a Muncie M22 “Rock Crusher” four-speed manual transmission or an optional automatic, allowing for blistering acceleration and raw muscle car performance. Its aggressive styling, including flared fenders, pop-up headlights, and a removable T-top option, was complemented by a performance-tuned chassis featuring independent suspension and power-assisted disc brakes, ensuring excellent handling.
What makes this model particularly special is its rarity; only 188 units were produced with the LS6 engine. This makes the 1971 Corvette LS6 Convertible one of the most collectible Corvettes from the C3 generation. Despite new emissions regulations affecting muscle cars in the early 1970s, the LS6 remained a powerful option, offering near-race-car levels of power in a street-legal convertible. The fiberglass body and sleek design of the Corvette remained iconic, while optional features like air conditioning, leather seats, and power windows added a touch of luxury to its otherwise aggressive nature.