Mecum auctioned off over 4000 cars in Kissimmee over 13 days from January 7 to 19, 2025. For years, car collectors have been making the pilgrimage to Florida in January to get their hands on a special car for the spring.
Even in 2025, only some of the cars (there were also motorcycles and automobilia for sale) were classics, but the cars on offer included some very interesting vehicles. However, not all of them were able to convince the bidders.
Steve McQueen's Porsche 917 K (initially) not sold
The highlight of the 13 auction days was undoubtedly the Porsche 917 K from 1969, which stood there in the Gulf colors of Steve McQueen's film when it belonged to the production company Solar Productions. The car later passed through various hands, including Reinhold Joest, Brian Redman, Richard Attwood, Frank Gallogly and Jerry Seinfeld.
Steve McQueen bought chassis 917-022 directly from the factory to use it as the main character in his movie "Le Mans". However, the car was subsequently also used in real racing events and was driven by Jo Siffert, among others.
Brian Redman and a descendant of Steve McQueen were on hand when the Porsche 917 came to life and was then bid up in leaps and bounds.
Mecum did not give an estimated value for this car, but apparently expectations were significantly higher than the USD 25 million finally offered, which was not enough for a sale.
However, the 917 was later sold after all, albeit for an undisclosed sum. The new owner was a big car fan, Jerry Seinfeld is reported to have said. (Editorial supplement).
Other special Porsches shared the fate of the 917 at the auction and also remained unsold, including a 910 from 1966 (highest bid USD 1.3 million), a 934 from 1976 (USD 1.2 million) and a 911 Carrera RS Lightweight from 1973 (USD 825,000).
Ford GT40 as the most expensive car
The 1966 Ford GT40 with chassis number 1034 was the most highly valued car by the bidders. The car, which was advertised as a "road car", changed hands for USD 7.04 million.
The Shelbys had a harder time of it, because of the particularly valuable examples, only a GT 350 Fastback from 1965 found a new owner for USD 990,000, while several Cobras were left standing.
Ruxton as the biggest surprise
The Ruxton brand built 96 cars in the 1920s and early 1930s, which were characterized by progressive design and front-wheel drive. Incidentally, Joseph Ledwinka, an American relative of the Austrian engineer Hans Ledwinka, was responsible for the design.
Only seven of the chassis equipped with a 4.4-liter inline eight-cylinder engine are said to have been fitted with a Baker-Baulang body. The auctioned car was already part of many famous collections (including the Blackhawk Collection) and was completely restored in the 1980s.
Instead of the expected USD 800,000 to 900,000, bidders went as high as USD 1.4 million, resulting in a sale price of USD 1.54 million.
USD 605,000 was paid for a 1927 Bugatti Type 37.
One of three 300 SLs sold
The new owner paid USD 1.485 million for a 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing, while two other 300 SLs (a 1957 Roadster and a 1955 Gullwing) went for USD 1.35 and 1.9 million respectively.
Ferrari and Lamborghini mostly below expectations
The selection of sought-after Ferrari and Lamborghini sports cars was comparatively large. Two Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spiders came under the hammer, as well as a 275 GTB/4 from 1967.
There was also a Ferrari F40 from 1992, as well as models such as the 330 GTC, the Dino 246 GT/S, the Testarossa, the 250 GT/L and the 400 Superamerica Coupé Aerodinamico from 1963.
Only the Testarossa and the 275 GTS from 1965 found favor with the bidders, while the early 212 Inter as a 2+2 Berlina from 1951 (estimated value USD 500,000 to 600,000) also failed at USD 500,000.
It was a similar story for the two Lamborghini Miura P 400 S from 1969 and 1970, which were left standing with top bids of USD 1.7 and 1.6 million.
American dominated
Naturally, the Mecum range was dominated by American brands. There was no shortage of Ford Mustangs or Chevrolet Corvettes, and many were sold, some at high prices.
For example, a 1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 Coupé fetched USD 2.25 million, another Corvette as an L89 Coupé from 1967 USD 1.705 million. However, many of the expensively advertised American cars were not sold.
Vehicles offered and sold
The following table lists a small selection of the vehicles offered and sold with estimated prices, highest bids and sales prices (where available). The prices were converted at the exchange rate valid on the day of the auction. All information without guarantee.
| Lot | Car | Year | USD Est from | USD Est to | USD HP | USD SP | CHF SP | EUR SP | % Est | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F93 | Ferrari Testarossa | 1988 | 300'000 | 350'000 | 265'000 | 291'500 | 265'265 | 282'755 | -10.31%
|
V |
| F143 | Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster | 1959 | 1'700'000 | 1'900'000 | 1'200'000 | N | ||||
| F160 | Ferrari 330 GTC | 1968 | 600'000 | 700'000 | 525'000 | N | ||||
| F178 | Shelby 427 Competition Cobra Roadster | 1967 | 1'900'000 | N | ||||||
| F203 | Lamborghini Miura P400 S | 1969 | 1'800'000 | 2'200'000 | 1'700'000 | N | ||||
| F216 | Ford Tommy Foster Roadster | 1932 | 300'000 | 400'000 | 200'000 | 220'000 | 200'200 | 213'400 | -37.14%
|
V |
| F258 | Pontiac Firebird Konvertible | 1967 | 175'000 | N |
All information is provided without guarantee.
Legend: Column S = Status (V = Sold, N = Not sold, Z = Withdrawn, U = Under reserve)
Est = Estimate, HP = Hammer Price, SP = Sale Price
