Auction Preview: Mecum Indianapolis 2014
Mecum Auctions’ flagship Spring Classic sale in Indianapolis kicks off Tuesday, May 13 and will run through Sunday, May 18. This sale is one of the biggest auctions of the year and historically attracts a large number of muscle cars. With Mecum advertising that more than 2,000 cars will be offered, we found it difficult to drill down to only a handful to spotlight, but nonetheless here are five in particular we will be watching.
1969 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 Hurst 455/380 Coupe
Lot: S146
Estimate: $120,000-$140,000
Hagerty Price Guide: $33,400-$103,000
Oldsmobile’s top performer for 1969 was the imposing Hurst/Olds, an updated 4-4-2 offered by Hurst Shifters to sidestep GM’s 400-cid rule for the A-platform at the time. With the car’s low production numbers and bold styling, they have remained popular—even when values of other muscle cars dropped. That said, prices have remained flat of late—only in the two years has there been any upward movement. With two other examples being offered in Indianapolis, this will be a good chance to further gauge the market on these cars.
1972 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 455/300 Coupe
Lot: S55
Estimate: N/A
Hagerty Price Guide: $15,500-$59,700
As the muscle car era was fading away, Pontiac showed that its performance line still had life in it by equipping the 1972 Trans Am with a 455-cid engine that produced 60 more horsepower than its Camaro cousin. The ’72 models are particularly difficult to find as strikes halted production for a portion of the year. Values for these cars have remained nearly unchanged over the past seven, though they did experience a slight uptick recently. The example being offered is advertised as one of 458 produced with a 4-speed transmission, having recently won awards at the Trans Am nationals and carrying PHS documentation. A fine example of an early Trans Am.
1967 Jaguar E-type SI 4.2L Convertible
Lot: S136
Estimate: $50,000-$100,000
Hagerty Price Guide: $67,300-$224,000
With its stunning looks and terrific motor, the Series I E-type has remained a sought-after collector car. Over the past two years, convertibles have marched steadily upward in price with six-figure price tags becoming more common for even good driver condition cars. We’ll be watching to see if these cars keep gaining in value at a more rapid pace or if they begin to level off.
1966 Chevrolet Biscayne 427/425 2dr Sedan
Lot: F138
Estimate: N/A
Hagerty Price Guide: $16,800-$56,900
The Biscayne was Chevrolet’s middle-of-the-road offering for its full-size line in 1966. Because it shared the same platform as the Impala SS, it could be ordered with Chevrolet’s new 425-hp, 427-cid big block engine. Biscaynes have historically carried significantly lower values than the Impala SS, which makes them something of a performance hound’s quiet little secret. In the past year, though, 427 Biscaynes have doubled in price. We will be watching these cars to see if there is any more movement in prices.
1970 American Motors Rebel Machine 390/340 Hardtop Coupe
Lot: F115
Estimate: N/A
Hagerty Price Guide: $19,800-$57,900
The Rebel Machine was American Motors’ light, affordable answer to Detroit’s performance lineup for 1970. With a little help from Hurst and AMC’s performance division, these cars became formidable stoplight warriors, earning them respect from all muscle car enthusiasts. Prices for The Machine have risen and fallen with the rest of the muscle car market, and today they are quite affordable cars to collect. The most recognizable of these cars have the signature red, white and blue paint scheme, but this turquoise and black example is a nice departure from the norm.
