How Much Is Too Little? 10 No Sales At A Recent Mecum Auction

Love them or hate them, collector car auctions are not only here to stay, but growing in popularity. They offer sellers and buyers a large, high-visibility place to find the car of their dreams, whether it is American muscle, European exotica, or something else entirely. Massive numbers of cars are offered and buyers are lined up to find the ones they want. But how much is too much? How much is not enough? We looked at the top 10 muscle cars that didn’t sell at the recent Mecum Auction in Monterey, and present them here for your edification.

Note: We were not there, so we can’t judge these cars or their bids. Prices in this stratosphere are above our pay grade, so we won’t just these machines (or the owners who turned these numbers down). Mecum Auctions differ from some of their competitors because you can put a reserve on your car.

Finally, we included Corvettes and real Shelby Cobras as they represent the best of American muscle.

1967 Corvette L88 Coupe: $2.5 Million

Only 20 L88 427 Corvettes were built in 1967, the first year this race-bred engine was offered. Chevrolet rated it at 430 horsepower, five less than the L71 Tri-Power 427 street engine, to dissuade buyers from purchasing it. In reality, dyno tests have shown the actual number was 540, and L88-powered Corvettes would go on to win 23 consecutive SCCA races, a record that still stands.

According to the Mecum description, “this 1967 L88 is breathtaking. The Rally Red exterior is as impressive and resplendent as a fresh piece of bone china.”

We love the matching Code 305 red interior, which makes this the only known 1967 Corvette L88 dressed that way.

The car achieved an NCRS Duntov Mark of Excellence award and it was Bloomington Gold Certified in 1994 under the ownership of Ray Norvell and then again in 2014 while part of the Rare Wheels Collection. It’s been exhibited in the Bloomington Gold Special Collection in 2001, 2008, 2017 and 2018, earned an NCRS Regional Top Flight with a score of 98.2 and a National Top Flight with a score of 98.4, earned the NCRS Regional Performance Verification award, and it was awarded Chip’s Choice at Corvettes at Carlisle.

1969 Dodge Charger Daytona Hemi: $2.2 Million

The Charger Daytona was Dodge’s second attempt at an aero-warrior in 1969 (after the Charger 500) and the only wing car to win a NASCAR championship (1970). Yes, these cars were interesting, and with Hemi power and a four-speed, it is 1-of-22 produced. 

What makes this one more unusual is it is claimed to be one of only four Hemi Daytonas produced in black with a white interior and white wing. The 4.10 gears complete a package that was no doubt a street terror back in the day.

Options include power steering and brakes, bucket seats and center console, Tic-Toc tach (an awful device that was about as useful as no tach at all), and an 8-track player. We dig the unusual color combo. You had us at Hemi four-speed, but apparently that was not quite good enough for the owner.

1966 Shelby Cobra 427: $1.98 Million

Let’s be frank. The 1965 Shelby Cobra 427 represents the pinnacle of American performance in the 1960s—an uncompromising fusion of brute-force and light weight. Purpose-built by Carroll Shelby to dominate both the street and the track, the 427 Cobra remains one of the most revered and collectible automobiles ever produced. 

This particular example stands in an extraordinarily rare category, being one of approximately only 16 factory black, real 427 Cobras ever built — an ultra-desirable specification that dramatically elevates its significance among even the most elite Cobras. Of the 16 black cars produced, this is one of approximately only eight that have never suffered severe trauma.

Per the Mecum website: “Beyond its striking and seldom-seen factory black finish, this Cobra is one of only approximately 155 true 427-powered street Cobras produced. Only 100 were delivered new with the highly coveted dual-quad carburetor setup, making this example a standout among its peers. 

“At its heart lies the original 427 CI “center oiler” engine, an engineering marvel derived from Ford’s racing program that produces immense torque and delivers the visceral driving experience that defines the Cobra legend. It was factory delivered with the highly sought-after dual-quad induction system, further enhancing both its performance, pedigree and collector desirability, representing the ultimate configuration.”

Could you turn down $2 million for this car? How much would you pay for it?

1969 Dodge Charger Daytona Hemi: $1.32 Million

According to Mecum, this is one of 70 Hemi Daytonas built in 1970 and one of approximately 39 known to exist. Supposedly, only two are known to exist in F6 Spring Green Metallic. It’s an original California car and has only had one repaint in its life. 

The car still has its matching-numbers Hemi and automatic transmission, along with the Super Performance axle package with 4.10 gears. Power steering and power brakes make it easier to drive, though being able to see the end of the nose cone is a bit of a challenge!

1966 Shelby Cobra 427: $1.1 Million

5. 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 CSX3242, $1.1 million

Now this is a car with a wild back story. Originally used as a demonstrator by Manhassat Ford in New York, the first actual owner of CSX 3242 was Stuart Hyiam in 1967. After a few years of ownership, he decided to sell it and took a potential buyer on a test drive. Said buyer pulled a gun on Stuart and stole the car!

The thief owned a wrecker firm that had acquired another 427 Cobra (CSX3041) that had been totaled by the insurance company, and he tried to pass this car off as 3041. Eventually, the forgery was uncovered and in 1991, the vehicle was properly re-titled as CSX3242.

The car was rebuilt to 427 S/C specs and was used as the model for the 427 Cobra in the video game Forza Motorsport 4. Its history is listed in the Shelby registry. 

1971 Plymouth Hemicuda: $550,000

According to Mecum, only 59 Hemicuda hardtops were produced with the four-speed manual transmission in 1971, which made it rare then (and now).

This car was supposedly given a professional restoration featuring the extensive use of NOS parts and is documented by an Elite-level Dave Wise inspection report. Still sporting its original body and engine, it is also coded V6X, meaning it left the assembly line as a real factory billboard car. 

The 426 Hemi V-8, rated at 425 HP, holds the Shaker hood covering its dual 4-barrel carburetors, dual exhaust and matching-numbers block. This is backed by the A833 New Process four-speed manual transmission and a 3.54 SureGrip Dana 60 differential as per its coded A33 Track Pak.

Painted in correct FE5 Rallye Red, in addition to its Shaker hood with tie-down pins, this car features upgraded elastomeric bumpers in both front and rear. Coded H6X9 on the fender tag, there are front bucket seats, the legendary Hurst Pistol Grip floor shifter, R11 AM radio with optional R31 rear speakers and driver’s side remote mirror. 

1963 Corvette Z06 Coupe: $500,000

All ‘63 split window Corvettes are special, though not particularly rare, but those with fuel-injection and the Z06 option package — like this Tuxedo Black example — are truly unusual and worthy of automotive lust. 

The Z06 package was for road racing and initially only available on coupes, but you could later get it on convertibles and 199 were produced. It gave you a special heavy-duty suspension, including shocks, springs and sway bars, heavy-duty metallic power brakes with cooling fins, and a 36.5 gallon gas tank. 

This car has power windows, correct for ‘63 wheel covers, photos of the original invoice, window sticker and NCRS shipping data report. 

A half a mil sounds low, especially but for a car with the matching-numbers, fuel-injected 327 and an NCRA Top Flight award (among others), but this is what the market would bear on this day.

1969 Dodge Charger Daytona: $370,000

Sold new at Trail Dodge in Miami, Florida, this example now features a fresh OEM-level restoration and retains both its matching-numbers 440/375 HP powerplant and A727 TorqueFlite automatic transmission, according to Mecum. It also, perhaps, reflects the difference in price between a 440-powered car and a Hemi-engined version. This car is factory optioned with the A36 Performance Axle Package, which includes the 3.55 SureGrip 8 3/4 differential, maximum cooling accessories and heavy-duty suspension. It also came with both power steering and power brakes.

This car is R4 Red with a white wing and matching white interior, which includes front bucket seats with headrests, the center console with wood-grain applique and shifter, a three-spoke sport steering wheel, Solid State thumbwheel AM radio and Charger R/T A01 Light Group.

The bottom line speaks the loudest: The bidding was too low on this day. 

1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS454 LS6 Pilot Car: $275,000

We covered this car a little bit ago. Supposedly, it is a pilot car and the earliest documented LS6 Chevelle known to exist. Built in Kansas City on November 16, 1969, it got a frame-off restoration at some point and still has its matching numbers, 450-horse 454 engine, along with the three-speed Turbo 400 and F41 suspension.

From the photos, this appears to be a slightly older restoration based on interior wear.

1970 Plymouth Superbird: $260,000

This example is one of 408 produced with the 440/390 HP Six-Barrel engine backed by the TorqueFlite automatic transmission. This car has undergone an OEM-style rotisserie restoration, with its factory options documented on two original broadcast sheets. 

Under the hood resides the date-code-correct engine with its trio of Holley 2-barrel carburetors. Every Bird received two engineering-coded numbers: A13 for the Road Runner-based Special Order RM23 Superbird package, and a drivetrain code, which here is A36, the Performance Axle Package featuring the A727 TorqueFlite automatic transmission, 3.55 Sure Grip differential and heavy-duty cooling. Power front disc brakes and power steering were also included in code A13.

Honorable Mention: 1968 Dodge Charger Hemi: $250,000

Original matching numbers engine and transmission. Said to be one-of-264 Hemi Charger R/Ts produced in 1968 with automatic transmission, and it’s claimed to be one of seven silver Hemi Chargers produced in 1968.

It’s the only known silver example with a black vinyl top and stripe delete, according to the seller, and it was a rotisserie restoration using all NOS parts. It retains its original trunk, floors and original wheels and jack assembly.