Mecum Auctions, Osceola Heritage Park, Kissimmee, Florida, January 16-25, 2015<\/p>\n
Even while the Arizona auctions were at their peak Mecum started up for its 10-day marathon in central Florida.<\/p>\n
Kissimmee is so big Mecum has to organize its own transportation authority with a fleet of golf carts shuttling people from one end of the Park to the other, a giant Uber constantly circulating and willing to go where asked with no fixed destinations. By the end of the event there isn’t a pair of feet on-site that doesn’t welcome the relief.<\/p>\n
The Mecum Kissimmee 2015 auction featured several collections of outstanding cars including the Wellborn Collection muscle cars and Roger Judski’s low mileage Corvettes. All of that, however, paled in comparison with the excitement generated by the 1959 Harley-Davidson FLH Duo-Glide.<\/p>\n
It wasn’t the bike, although it was a one-owner from new Panhead. It was the owner, Rock’n’Roll legend Jerry Lee Lewis, who presented the bike to the crowd, avidly watched it bid higher and higher until the reserve was lifted and it sold for a record-shattering $350,000, an exciting moment in auction history exceeded only by Jerry Lee’s famed energetic performance style.<\/p>\n
He showed his appreciation to the standing-room-only crowd after the hammer fell by sitting down at a piano and belting out “Great Balls of Fire”. At 79, “The Killer” has lost none of his style and enthusiasm.<\/p>\n
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[These numbers are exclusive of re-runs and include lots sold in groups (e.g., a car and trailer sold together) as only one transaction.]<\/p>\n
It is difficult to comprehend the magnitude of this event, which challenges the senses and individual endurance. The logistics are breathtaking, the planning epic, the sale total staggering.<\/p>\n
Looking at the aggregate numbers it is apparent that Mecum is getting better and better at identifying what its Kissimmee audience wants and finding better (and more valuable) consignments to offer them. A sell-through rate of nearly 75% for a 2,000+ car field is not simply an accomplishment, it is a triumph of planning, organization and continuing, consistent effort.<\/p>\n
Kissimmee has become a destination event on its own with thousands of cars spread out over acres of fields, tents and buildings, a 10-day excuse to escape winter’s snow, cold and slush for central Florida’s heat and humidity and a riot of collector cars from sublime to entry-level.<\/p>\n
[Kissimmee observations are by Andrew Newton, edited and commented by the editor who takes full responsibility for the content. Thank you, Andrew.]<\/p>\n
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