2011 Mecum Kissimmee Auction - Auspicious Beginnings

This Ermine White (with Rally Red stinger) convertible (Lot S156) crossed the block for $60,000. The car was equipped with A/C, power steering, power brakes, and an LT1/automatic drivetrain. This older restomod was well bought.

This beautiful Cascade Green '57 (Lot F215) with Beige coves came with a 283/250 fuel-injected engine (579A). Only 182 Corvettes were built with this option. In addition, this car has a two-speed Powerglide automatic. It sold for $71,000.

This '55 (Lot S198) carries VIN 002, is equipped with a 265ci V-8, and shows 54 miles on its clock. It didn't sell on Saturday after a high bid of $150,000 failed to meet its reserve. It returned Sunday and sold for $170,000—the highest price for a Corvette at Kissimmee.

MY '82 Corvettes are not highly sought after, but Code 56 Gold paint was only applied to 648 cars that year. Lot W257 was fully loaded and had the same owner for 25 years. It sold for $16,500. That's a lot of money for an '82, but this is a very nice car and should bring its new owner plenty of joy.

Lot S109 was a '61 283/315 car that had been raced all its life. It's one of only 233 Vettes built with the RPO 687 Heavy Duty Brakes and Special Steering. Very well presented, it sold for $55,000. This car was well bought and ready to take to the track.

Lot S211 was a '59 restomod riding on a Street Shop Chassis and powered by an LS3/five-speed manual. Equipped with A/C, four-wheel disc brakes, and Forgeline wheels, it sold for $117, 500. A real work of art, it should appreciate in value if maintained properly.

Much like the '67 that crossed the block at $145,000, this '66 convertible (Lot F230) was equipped with factory A/C, power steering, power brakes, a four-speed trans, knock-off wheels, and a 427/390 (L36) engine. Fresh from a frame-off restoration, the Laguna Blue C2 sold for $92,000.

This Monza Red/Saddle '69 (Lot S121) had just undergone a complete restoration. It came with a 427/390 (L36), a four-speed, A/C, a tilt wheel, headrests, and power steering, brakes, and windows. Fit and finish were excellent, and the car was well bought for $52,000. This author paid $5,800 for a similar car in 1969.

This '91 Callaway Twin Turbo Roadster (RPO 82K) sold for $33,000. The Turquoise Metallic Vette was one of 62 units produced and had only been driven 3,000 miles since undergoing a $25,000 restoration and upgrade at Callaway Cars. Powered by a 475hp/634 lb-ft engine, Lot W262 was extremely well bought.

This fully equipped, low-mileage '10 Grand Sport convertible (Lot W285) was clean and showed no visible road damage. This car carried a sticker of more than $80,000 when new, so it was well bought for $51,000.

Lot F115 was a low-mileage '04 Z06 with a Group 5 Specter Werkes body package. The package includes special exhaust, C5-R headlights, a lower front valance, rocker panels, a rear fascia and flares, and Michelin PS2 tires mounted on Forgeline wheels. This car was well bought for $30,000.

This Greenwood-equipped '92 six-speed coupe was among the nicest standard C4s we inspected. Lot U56 sold for $13,750, meaning someone got a very nice car for the money.

This 50th Anniversary '03 convertible features the model-specific Red Xirallic Crystal paint and Shale interior, along with a six-speed manual. The exterior and cabin were like new, and the car appeared to be very well taken care of. Lot F9 was well bought at $23,500.

A good example of Mecum's “The Bid Goes On” process could be witnessed in the case of this '02 C5 convertible, Lot T67. This low-mileage, fully loaded car brought a high bid of $18,250, which didn't meet the owner's reserve price. However, the door was still open for a sale when the event ended on Sunday.