Three Chrysler display engines fetch AU$800,000 at Mecum

By: Alex Affat, Unique Cars magazine

Date: 21.05.2019

Three ex-display engines used by Chrysler fetch astounding money at auction

Three ex-trade show display engines by Chrysler crossed the block at Mecum’s Indy auction over the weekend, fetching an eye-watering combined AU$803,670.

The three engines are comprehensively detailed, mimicking their full-functioning units though bearing various cross-sections to display their inner mechanical workings.

These ex-display cutaway engines rarely come to market, and are a unique collectible for the most diehard of fans. All engines were estimated to fetch between USD$75,000-$125,000, but all drew bidding well beyond the upper ceiling.

The Dodge 426 Hemi was the highest achiever, selling for USD$209,000 (AU$303,000).

The engine is mounted on a rotating stand, and was likely built for the 1968-1969 motor show circuit, given it features the newly released at the time Scat Pack.

The engine’s oil pan was personally signed by drag racing royalty Dick Landy, and factory engineer Tom Hoover, the "father" of the Hemi.

A Plymouth 440 6-BBL trailed shortly behind, selling for USD$198,000 (AU$287,446).

Mounted on a pylon base, this particular 440 6-BBL display engine was one of the final cutaways made for the Chrysler Corporation.

Based on the Super Commando RB engine, the 6-BBL was available for just three years between 1969 and 1971. This piece’s party trick is it actually features an electrically functioning motor to showcase the mechanical movements put on display by the various Perspex cutaway windows.

Fewer than six of these multi-carb wedge displays are still known to exist.

The most "affordable" donk of the trio, was Plymouth’s 426 Hemi, selling for USD$148,500 (AU$215,728).

An instantly legendary motor for Chrysler corp. The 426 Hemi Super Commando is one of the most exclusive auto-show collectibles ever. This specific example is even more so, being based of the race version of 1965.

After life on the show circuit, the display engine was donated to an educational facility, before becoming part of the world-class Steven Juliano collection.

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