Like Chevrolet Chevelles? Mecum Auctions has a deal for you!
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Mecum Chevelle collection
We're used to hearing about big-time auctions from the likes of Barrett-Jackson, RM, Christies, etc., but you can add one more to the list: Mecum, based out of Marengo, Il. The firm's auctions can be viewed live on Discovery HD, and they've already booked cars like an original Shelby Daytona Coupe for their 22nd annual Spring Classic Auction in May.
Also going up on the block will be Dana Mecum's personal Chevelle collection. The cars will be sold as a group, meaning the winning bidder will be taking home a total of eight Chevelles ranging from a 1965 SS hardtop with a 327ci V8 to a numbers-matching 1970 convertible with a 450-hp LS6 V8 and four-speed transmission. Check out the gallery below, as well as descriptions for each vehicle in the press release after the jump.
Gallery: Mecum Chevelle Collection
PRESS RELEASE:
MARENGO, Ill. - Mecum, the high-performance and collector car auction specialists, is giving collectors a chance to own an elite collection of Chevrolet Chevelles when they are auctioned at the 22nd Dana Mecum Original Spring Classic Auction, May 13-17, 2009, in Indianapolis, Ind.
Dana's Chevelle Collection is an unparalleled assembly of high-performance convertibles and hardtops. The collection will be sold as a group on Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. EST. The sale will be broadcast live on national TV during "Mecum Auto Auction: Muscle Cars & More" on HD Theater - Discovery Communications' first 24-hour high-definition cable network.
* Lot S121 - 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 2-Door Hardtop 327/350 HP, 4-speed. Very popular among collectors today, this carefully preserved classic has low miles and remains in its original and unrestored condition.
* Lot S122 - 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle SS Z16 2-Door Hardtop 396/375 HP. This big block muscle car was the original Z16 prototype for GM, making it the very first SS396 Chevelle. It boasts a 4-speed manual transmission and Rally Red exterior.
* Lot S123 - 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS Convertible 396/350 HP, 4-speed manual. The car was originally built for display at GM's Corporate Headquarters showroom in Detroit.
* Lot S124 - 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle COPO Hardtop 427/425 HP, 4-speed manual. As one of 323 vehicles produced, this rare L72 Central Office Production Order is the only black 4-speed manual ever built.
* Lot S125 - 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle Convertible 396/375 HP L78 Engine. Featuring a 4-speed manual transmission and documented with Protect-O-Plate and Build Sheet, it is believed to be one of six existing SS396 L78 of 1970 vintage with its combination of original equipment, including power windows, tilt steering, White stripes and Cowl Induction.
* Lot S126 - 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle Convertible 454/450 HP LS6 Engine, 4-speed manual. This well-documented Fathom Blue Chevelle is numbers matching and has a 100% original engine, M-22 transmission and rear end. It was the first LS6 convertible in the Diamond Certification Registry.
* Lot S127 - 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle Hardtop 454/450 HP LS6, Automatic. With 32.9 actual miles, collectors would be hard-pressed to find a better example of an unrestored original LS6 that this gem, which is described as the lowest-mileage, highest-horsepower muscle car in existence.
"These Chevelles are highly valued in the market today because of their high horsepower and special options," said Dana Mecum, president of Mecum Auction. "The LS6, for example, is the most powerful engine offered in a production car and is on the A-list of the most sought-after collector cars in the world. With such remarkable caliber and variety of historically significant, rare vehicles coming up for sale at the Original Spring Classic, that auction is the ideal stage for this collection to be showcased."
The Chevelle Collection joins other high-profile vehicles - including a 1967 Camaro Cherokee - at the must-attend Original Spring Classic Auction at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. The event is open to the general public and tickets are available at the door for $10. For more information, visit www.Mecum.com. The Original Spring Classic Auction is expected to feature 1,250 vehicles and will be broadcast live on Mecum's popular television series, "Mecum Auto Auction: Muscle Cars & More" on HD Theater - Discovery Communications' first 24-hour high-definition cable network, offering compelling real-world and motorized content.
The Mecum Auction Company has been specializing in the sale of collector cars, muscle cars and Corvettes for more than 20 years. In spring 2008, the company sold its 50,000th car. Consignment, Bidder, event and accommodation information is available online at www.Mecum.com or by calling 815.568.8888.
Get a WordPress.com Blog
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
010111 9:11AM (3/24/2009)
i have a 1969 (not even *remotely* the same shape as those ... though completely drivable) and this post reminds me again that i should've got a '65 or '67 instead.
Reply
Brandon 9:56AM (3/24/2009)
He needed to add a 66 and 68 to that list to have a complete set of hi-po Chevelles. I also have a #'s matching 68 SS 396, but it's not quite as complete or documented as those cars. A few of those are super-rare and should be quite expensive by themselves. I'd be curious as to what the group of them will bring.
StickShift 9:23AM (3/24/2009)
I'll take the '65 with the 327. 1965 was a great year for Chevrolet styling-wise, and Chevelles in particular.
Reply
LoneWolf 10:14AM (3/24/2009)
Oh, I love these cars
Reply
Brad 10:21AM (3/24/2009)
Where's the '66, my first car I loved...What an awesome collection of Chevelles but I don't think I can get through another Mecum Auction on HD Theatre, Dana and his staff are so freakin' annoying I have to watch it with the volume off, I'm surprised they don't do Cart wheels & tap dance with puppies while auctioning off the cars.
Reply
Avinash machado 10:27AM (3/24/2009)
Imagine if the cash for clunkers was there in those days, these cars might not even have been in existence now.
Reply
superman211 10:45AM (3/24/2009)
No we don't like them. Nobody does.
Reply
jamie 11:36AM (3/24/2009)
It's a crying shame that GM can't build cars like this anymore.
All Toyota would see is the unending maze of Chevelle taillights.
Reply
I am Rich 1:20PM (3/24/2009)
If that 65 Z16 is for real, that may catch more money than the LS6. I had a 65 Chevelle for many years. When I sold her, she had a 327 bored over, TH350 trans with 2500 stall, 3.08 rear. She was fast and rusty. Also had a 65 Elco that I bought from a hippie. I recently learned my dad owned a 68 SS 396 convertible, and he sold it when my parents they discovered they were pregnant. They bought a 66 Impala.
Reply
drolds1 1:49PM (3/24/2009)
The car for sale here is not a Z16. The Z16 was the limited production SS396. It was a completely re-engineered car. Only 201 were made and just 74 are known to exist today. This one just a RPO SS with a 327. Nice, but sorry, it's not worth anywhere near what a Z16 is.
drolds1 2:22AM (3/25/2009)
Never mind. Didn't see the other one at first. Sorry.
kal326 2:29PM (3/24/2009)
To bad the 70 hardtop is an automatic and the convertible is the manual. A black on red 1970 Chevelle 454 SS 4spd is one of the cars I would love to have and really a feat of performance for its day.
Reply
Snutz 4:30PM (3/24/2009)
Marengo has a high-profile classic car auction? That little podunk town? I had no idea. I might have to go to that.
Reply
Snutz 4:32PM (3/24/2009)
Check that, I'm an idiot. The company is based out of Marengo but the auction is in Indianapolis. I should have RTFA first.