Live Mecum auction returns to Indianapolis with 2,500 collector cars

1964 Shelby 289 Independent Competition

(June 17, 2020) WALWORTH, Wis. — It’s full speed ahead come this July 10-18 as the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis opens for the annual return of Dana Mecum’s Original Spring Classic auction. The auction is a highly anticipated occurrence each May, with thousands of classic and collector car enthusiasts pouring into the Fairgrounds every year from across the United States. With this year’s necessary postponement, buyers and sellers are especially eager for the auction’s return, and Mecum plans to deliver in spades, having already expanded the usual 6-day auction event to a full 9 days with nearly 2,500 cars now slated to cross the block live.

Keeping health and safety at the forefront, Mecum has instituted a host of safety procedures that will include mandatory daily temperature checks, available facemasks, sanitizing stations and a layout that encourages social distancing throughout the event and among the auction seating.

Topping the charts among the thousands of cars, 100 motorcycles and nearly 20,000 pieces of Road Art to be offered in Indianapolis are the nine Shelby Mustangs from The John Atzbach Collection, highlighted by the first 1965 Shelby GT350R Competition Model built. Known as the “Flying Mustang” and driven by Ken Miles, Shelby 5R002 stands today as one of the most significant and historic competition cars ever constructed by Shelby American Inc.

The collection encompasses eight other rare Shelby Mustangs, including two supercharged cars and one of the four GT350 convertibles produced in 1966, as well as a 1964 Shelby competition Cobra, which joins two other Indy-bound Cobras: a 1963 289 Roadster and a 1967 427 Roadster. Atzbach’s Road Art collection will also be offered and includes approximately 15,000 items ranging from rare Shelby artifacts to original and authentic vintage automotive signs and collectibles.

1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 convertible

Other auction headliners include a 1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 Convertible known as The Ultimate L88 for its storied history on the race track, Bill Holland’s 1947 Indianapolis 500-winning Indy Car known as the Blue Crown Spark Plug Special, two 1971 V-Code 440 6 BBL Plymouth Cuda Convertibles, a 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Berlinetta and many more. In addition to the Atzbach offering, at least 13 other private collections comprising 226 cars and 36 motorcycles will cross the Indy auction block as well, and among the most notable assemblages are Dana Mecum’s GTOs—a group that encompasses eight lots with two “main attractions” from 1965: the Pontiac GTO Hurst GeeTO Tiger and Pontiac GTO Hurst Riverside Pace Car.

The Richard Welkowitz Estate Collection of 18 cars includes seven Ferraris highlighted by a 2011 Ferrari 599 GTO that is one of 599 produced, one of 125 exported to the U.S. market and shows just 168 miles. Also from the selection is a 1963 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III Drophead Coupe that was special ordered and owned by famed actor Tony Curtis from 1963-1981 and is one of just 27 left-hand drive Drophead Coupes built with H.J. Mulliner Coachwork.

1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Berlinetta

The Dr. Eric Felix Collection features an assemblage of highly acclaimed classic muscle cars, a trio of 1967 Chevrolet Corvettes, each with Bloomington Gold certification, and a handful of classic Mopars highlighted by a one-of-11-produced 1971 Plymouth Hemi GTX—the only known example manufactured in In-Violet Metallic. Also notable are the four Ferraris from the Dr. Vance Shappley Collection, including his 1971 365 GTB/4 Daytona and 1965 275 GTS previously owned by David Letterman.

The auction is open to buyers, sellers and spectators. Bidder registration is available online in advance for $150, $200 after July 9, and includes admission for two to each auction day. Those unable to attend and bid in-person are encouraged to register for telephone and internet bidding, which allow for convenient bidding from the comfort of home.

Doors open each day at 8 a.m. with the vehicle auction beginning daily at 10 a.m., except on Road Art Monday, July 13, which will feature Road Art items only. Road Art will be sold on a separate auction block Thursday through Saturday, July 16-18, beginning at 9 a.m. Portions of the auction will be broadcast on NBC Sports Network.