The Mecum auction house is not the best known to Europeans. However, it offers some great cars during its numerous sales and if we look from time to time at the Monterey catalog, that of Kissimmee (in Florida) at the very beginning of the year signed the highest score of 2024 and will madly launch the year 2025 from January 7 to 19 with nothing less than a Porsche 917… and not only that!
Porsche 917 #022 under the hammer
His track record? Forget it, the Porsche 917 #022 goes way beyond that. Its first owner? Solar Productions! It was the production company behind Le Mans that bought it directly from Porsche in 1970. Its track record was mainly in front of the cameras that it obtained it!
However, his story was not over. Reinhold Joest then bought it and kept it until 1975. It notably raced in 1971 with Kauhsen, Joest and Siffert at the wheel. In 1975, it was from the factory that Brian Redman bought it then he sold it in 1977 to his teammate, winner of Le Mans with him in a 917K, Richard Attwood who repainted it in the colors of the victorious 917 at the Le Mans in 1970.
Then it appeared during historic races and Attwood ended up repainting it in Gulf colors in 1999. It was sold the following year to a Porsche collector, Frank Gallogly, who himself sold it to Jerry Seinfeld, the actor who loved the brand. from Stuttgart and current owner of the car. It was completely restored this year and returned to “Le Mans” configuration (the film).
We don't know his estimate but it's going to sting! We also enjoy this video made for the sale (thanks to Jacques for sending it):
We also note
The Porsche 917 is the standard bearer but the Mecum catalog is rich, very rich.
Porsche-wise, we will also find a 910 at Mecum in Kissimmee. Please note, this is quite simply the first Porsche 910 produced and it was driven by Niki Lauda on the Österreichring in 1969 and Hans Hermann in 1968. Note that this car is registered, has its historic passport and many original parts. She also does not provide an estimate.
On the Porsche racing side, the 934 from 1976 is there too. This car (chassis #0060022) is the one that allowed Bob Wollek, “Steve” and Philippe Gurdjian to win Group 4 at Le Mans in 1977! Ready to appeal, it is estimated between 1.5 and 1.85 million dollars!
We also note some superb Italians in this catalog. We start with a Miura P400S from 1970, one of the 6 original releases in Verde Miura, fully restored in 2011 and estimated between 1.8 and 2.2 million euros.
Three Ferraris next. First a 1992 F40 with European specifications, red with gray interior, estimated between 3.25 and 3.5 million.
Then a 275 GTB/4 from 1967, second hand and would be the only one painted in Rosso Chiaro Dark Red. Partially restored, it is estimated at between $2.7 and $3 million.
We end with a 365 GTB/4 Daytona from 1973. It is one of 30 original black painted and has never been completely dismantled. It is estimated between 950,000 and 1.1 million dollars.
We also retained three American cars. Note that the enormous catalog of Mecum in Kissimmee is mainly made up of American, classics, but these are less so.
We start with a Shelby 427 Competition from 1965. It was tested by Ken Miles but mainly used in 1965 by Robert “Skip” Scott in racing. In total, she won three SCCA championships (1966 in production then 1973 and 1974 in National). It is estimated between 4.5 and 6 million dollars!
We continue with another authentic Cobra. This time it’s a “classic” 289 from 1964. Matching numbers, restored, it is estimated between 1.4 and 1.5 million dollars.
We then move on to Plymouth with a 1970 Superbird. It was owned by NASCAR legend, Richard Petty, until 2013 and was exhibited in his museum before being restored in his garage in 2014. It is estimated between 900,000 and 1 million dollars.
Finally we end with a French girl! It's a Talbot-Lago T14 LS from 1956. This car therefore features Talbot's in-house engine, a 2.5 liter in-line 4 with 120 hp. Already in some fine collections, it competed at Pebble Beach in 2023. It is in perfect condition (restored) and estimated between $225 and $275,000.
Want to see more? The entire catalog is here.
