1969 Chevrolet Corvette L88 Convertible

This 1969 Chevrolet Corvette L88 convertible was first a Grand Touring machine that took its owner from Leslie, Michigan to Alaska and back, then a successful drag racer until it was placed in storage in 1975. Following the purchase by its present owner in 1986 it underwent a painstaking restoration that was completed in 1988. It subsequently was included in the 1988 and 2008 Bloomington Gold Special Collection, Earthquake 88 and L88 Invasion events. Documentation includes the owner’s manual, warranty book, tank sticker and Bloomington certificates.

This rare L88 convertible will cross the block at the Mecum Kissimmee Auction Saturday, January 25 at 3:40 PM.

Blast from the Past: The 1965 Shelby GT350 Essex Wire Car

After a glorious racing career the famed Essex Wire Shelby GT350 was exiled to an Ontario barn until 1981 when it was famously rescued by Rick Kopec, who purchased it for $5,000.00. After five years of collecting pieces for the restoration, Kopec delivered 098 to restorer Chris Liebenberg, who spent three years coaxing the sheetmetal back to its original contours and renewing every single part until the car was completely restored. Gus Zuidema, the former Shelby high performance service manager at Harr Ford of Worcester, Massachusetts, built the 289/271 HP engine to the original R-Model specifications so that it developed a realistic 360 horsepower. 098 was refinished in its original Wimbledon White, along with the lettering and wide Black Essex stripe that it wore throughout its career. While it usually raced as either number 92 or 9, it now wears 98 to signify its serial number. 

To my mind that is also a nice nod to the number 98 employed by both Carroll Shelby and Dan Gurney; it's an Amertican road racing icon and should always be valued. 

The Essex Wire Shelby GT350 crossed the block at Dana Mecum's 2009 Original Spring Classic Auction. 

Tyrone Powers' 1930 Duesenberg Model J Torpedo Berline Convertible

America was in the grip of the Great Depression when this 1930 Duesenberg Model J Torpedo Berline Convertible, engine number J-391, chassis 2315, and body 952 was completed by Walter M. Murphy Coachbuilders of Pasadena, California as a demonstrator for Duesenberg’s Los Angeles sales branch. Originally painted in Washington Blue, it was sold to Hollywood screen writer Gene Markey, who later became a highly decorated Rear Admiral after World War II. A series of owners in the 1940s included James Talmadge (son of Buster Keaton and Norma Talmadge), who in 1952 traded the car to actor Tyrone Power for a new MG. Power owned the car until his death at the age of 44 in 1958, after which it was sold to J.B. Nethercutt and then to Bill Harrah's Auto Museum in Reno, Nevada.

Read all about this one-of-a-kind Duesie being offered at the Mecum Kissimmee Auction Saturday, January 25, 2014 at 3:25 PM.

1963 Ford Galaxie R-Code

Ford launched its “Total Performance” campaign in 1963 and delivered on that promise in its full-size lineup half way through the year with a big surprise. The 1963½ Galaxie 500 and 500XL hardtops were fitted with a sleek fastback roof to improve aerodynamics on NASCAR’s super speedways, but the big news was under the hood in the form of Ford’s new 427 CI V-8. The R-code dual 4-barrel version took the engine’s potential to a new level, using a forged steel crank and cross-bolted main bearing caps, forged aluminum pistons, a lightweight valvetrain and solid lifter cam to punch out 425 HP and 480 lb-ft of torque. 

This 1963 Ford Galaxie R-Code will cross the block at the Mecum Kissimmee Auction Friday, January 24 at 6:40 PM. 

1969 Chevrolet Corvette L88 Convertible

From 1967 to 1969 Chevrolet built exactly 216 of what would become known as the Holy Grail of Corvettes, the L88. Production peaked at 116 cars in 1969, one of which is offered here in this expertly restored L88 convertible. In 1977 the car was discovered in Knoxville, Tennessee by Bryan Cooper, now promoter of the Knoxville Corvette Expo for 36 years, and former Corvette dealer and noted authority Paul Kitchen, who is also credited as one of the early contributors to the classic Corvette collector’s lodestar, the Corvette Black Book by Mike Antonick. The pair took the car to Cooper’s shop, where they dropped the gas tank to retrieve the all-important tank sticker that would reveal its specifications in detail.

It will cross the block at the Mecum Kissimmee, Florida Auction on January 18, 2014 at 3:35 PM.

The Dick Lang 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Racer

2013 NCRS American Heritage Award Winner

The Dick Lang 1963 Corvette Z06 Tanker Split Window Coupe was reintroduced to the world with an honored place in the Corvette Nationals Competition Corvette display in November 2012. In 2013 it was displayed at no fewer than four prestigious Concours d’Elegance, scoring numerous honors including Best in Class at the Dayton Concours d’ Elegance in September and Best in Class, First Place and the Special Display Award at the 36th Annual Ault Park Concours d’Elegance of America in July.

This fascinating Corvette racer will cross the block at the Mecum Kissimmee Auction Saturday January 26, 2014 at 3:00 PM.

1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 Fastback KK #1696

This 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 is Kar Kraft number 1696, one of very few still in existence that remains unrestored but for a single repaint, here in the original Candyapple Red. A popular and high-profile feature of the famed Floyd Garrett Muscle Car Museum in Sevierville, Tennessee for approximately 10 years, it still retains its original matching numbers 429/375 HP engine, Borg Warner 4-speed close ratio manual transmission and 3.91 rear end with Traction-Lok differential. 

It is scheduled to be sold at the Mecum Kissimmee Auction Saturday January 26, 2014 at 2:50PM.

1966 Shelby GT350

While most Sixties-era production-based race cars were built up from vehicles designed for street use, the Shelby GT350 was in reality a dialed-back version of the full-on race car Shelby and Ford actually had in mind, a race-ready Mustang prepared to dominate and win the SCCA National B-Production Championship. Because the SCCA allowed special factory options for either powertrain or suspension but not both, Shelby specified suspension, brakes, steering and other components to improve handling and stopping power. As a result, the 1965 Shelby GT350 surprised some buyers who complained about its harsh ride qualities. Changes were made to the 1966 model to soften the day-to-day driving experience, but the first 252 1966 cars were actually carried over 1965 models and retained the earlier lowered front A-arms and over-rider traction bars. This 1966 GT350, serial number SFM6S316, is one such car. Sold new by Arles Ford of San Rafael, California, to G.M. Freeman on March 19, 1966, it was restored by its third owner Mark Hereford and completed to full “R” racing specification.

This rare 'carryover' GT350 will cross the block at the Mecum KissimmeeAuction Saturday, January 26 at 4:00 PM.

1956 Chevrolet Corvette SR Prototype 'The Real McCoy'

The Car That Saved The Corvette Brand

Forever known as “The Real McCoy”, this 1956 Chevrolet Corvette prototype delivered a historic one-two punch against the competition that literally saved Corvette, the result of a gargantuan effort to rescue the ailing brand whose sales were flagging under competition from Ford’s Thunderbird. It began life at Chevrolet as Engineering Project Tracking Number 6901, assembled under the supervision of Corvette Chief Engineer Zora Arkus Duntov with a special bored-out 307 CI engine using dual Carter 4-barrel carbs and the now-legendary “Duntov cam.”

It's a great story.

The Real McCoy will cross the block at the Mecum Kissimmee Auction Saturday, January 26 at 2:30 PM.

1955 Porsche 550/1500 RS Spyder Chassis No. 550-0077

A major attraction of this year's Mecum Monterey Daytime Auction, this 1955 Porsche RS 550 from the Peter and Cheryl Dunkel Collection will cross the block at 2:25 PM on Saturday August 17. A beautifully restored racing Porsche from a pivotal period in the company's history.

2006 Ford GT Heritage Edition

6 Miles.

The Blue and Orange livery worn by the cars of the John Wyer racing teams of the 1960s and ‘70s is one of the most widely recognizable in the world. Back to back wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1968 (driven by Pedro Rodriguez and Lucien Bianchi) and 1969 (with Jackie Ickx and Jackie Oliver), contributed mightily to the reputations of both the car and the charming and talented Wyer, who was a force in international racing for decades. In 2006 Ford added a special limited-edition ‘Heritage’ paint scheme to the exclusive GT that recalled that famous JW Automotive/ Gulf Oil livery of the Le Mans-winning GT40, the “Heritage Edition” Ford GT. Finished in Heritage Blue with Epic Orange stripes and White roundels, this “Heritage” Ford GT is one of 343 produced and, with just 5.8 original miles on the odometer, is quite probably the least-driven and most original of them all.

Presented as Lot F151, this special Heritage Edition Ford GT is scheduled to cross the block at the Mecum Monterey Daytime Auction on Friday, August 16 at 3:30 PM.

1959 Chevrolet Corvette Big Brake Fuelie "Barn Find"

This 1959 Chevrolet Corvette convertible is that rarest and most elusive of all classic Corvettes– a genuine “barn find” that is the vision of every enthusiast who spends his precious time following the latest lead, searching through back lots and half-forgotten corners for the car of his dreams. It is one of 18 fabulous offerings from the John Justo Collection that will be presented for sale at the Mecum Kissimmee Auction, January 18-27, 2013.

2014 Corvette Z06

Teaser: Could this be the 2014 Z06?

2002 Chevrolet Corvette Z06

Made entirely from refined fossil fuel, sand, rubber and mined metals, my 2002 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is an amazing machine. I love this car.