While some sprout economic gloom and doom, bidders attending car week in Monterey in late August 2024 brushed any fears aside as they spent a staggering A$79.8 million at the Mecum’s auction held at the Del Monte Golf Course.
Played out in front of record crowds, the most expensive car going under the Mecum hammer was a 1969 Ford GT40 Lightweight selling for A$11.62 million, becoming the fourth highest priced car sold during Monterey Car Week.
A total of 11 cars were sold by Mecum in excess of US$1 million with a heated bidder battle for a 1969 Dodge Hemi Daytona, which finally went for A$4.96 million, a new auction record for the model.
Motorcycles lived up to pre-auction hype, with a handful of bikes achieving strong six-figure sales, including a 1913 Henderson Four at A$195,978 and a 1947 Harley-Davidson EL Deluxe Knucklehead that brought A$162,650.
Ferraris were sought after by Mecum bidders with a 1967 275 GTB/4 selling for A$4.55 million, a 2003 Enzo at A$4.22 million and a 1967 330 GTS finding a new owner for $3.74 million.
American 1960’s muscle made a statement with a 1970 Plymouth Hemi Cuda convertible making the vendor happy with a winning bid of A$3.80 million, while a 1967 Chevy Corvette L88 Convertible got A$3.47 million.
European thoroughbreds also fared well with a 2005 Porsche Carrera GT changing hands for A$2.56 million, a 1930 Packard 734 Speedster Boattail Runabout going for A$2.03 million and a 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster finding a winning bid of A$1.82 million.
Photography: Mecum Auctions/Gianni Cabiglio/Peter Rogers/KO Motoring Events/Mecum Auctions
