While the recent Mecum Auction held in Glendale, AZ (near Phoenix, AZ) set some awesome records, it also gave me a chance to see a brass era car brand that has some great history behind it. While Arizona is the heartbeat for classic car auctions in January each year, afterwards the steam tends to die down as the weather heats up. But this spring, Mecum Auctions changed all that by premiering their televised auction at the Allstate Arena from March 14-17, 2019.
Initially the new auction was slated for a two day event, and then expanded to three days and finally four days of sales with over 1,300 cars offered for sale. Final sales exceeded $39 million. For a first time auction at a new site, that shattered the Mecum record. In an exclusive interview with John Kraman, the lead commentator for the NBC broadcast, he noted that the firm was very pleased with the first time show. Kraman noted that the event was first announced in November 2018 at their Las Vegas, NV show and the response was great. Kraman added they had been looking at the Phoenix region for years, but could never find the right venue at the right time.
While many cars and trucks came from their core set of sellers in the Midwest, a significant number came from the Arizona region, where sellers wanted a reserve option. The dates of the auction coincided with major league baseball’s spring training, so many visitors could scratch two itches in one weekend. Plus the Goodguys Rod and Custom show was held simultaneously in nearby Scottsdale, AZ.
The highest selling auctioned car was a 1970 Dodge Hemi R/T convertible that went for $1.43 million. Outside of the televised auction, Mecum also privately negotiated a sale of a 2016 La Ferrari Aperta that went for $5.5 million. But there were plenty of cars in all styles and prices ranges for the bidders to choose from.
While touring the grounds outside the home of the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, I happened to see this right hand drive high wheeled buggy from the brass era. Now the name might sound familiar, but few knew that it was actually originally offered through Sears. The Kenmore Buggy's had a short lifespan being only produced from 1910-1912. The motoring titans had already started leaving the horseless carriage “high wheel” look for a more urban stance. But Sear’s rural catalog buyers had perhaps more interest in those ground clearing high wheels.
This 1910 Kenmore Tourabout had the folding top and the back seat along with some brass lights under those burlap covers. It sold for a solid $23,100 including commissions. The original two cylinder air cooled engines offered 10 HP and a claimed top speed of 25 MPH. Though truth be told, that must have been downhill with a strong wind!
Alas the Kenmore brand was dropped after just three years. The car was priced right at $395 for a fully duded out ride, compared to the Model T’s $825. But the volume of cars sold (probably no more than 3500 over the three year span) meant that the manufacturers weren’t even breaking even. While the Kenmore name was maintained by Sears, the buggy sadly expired.
I had the chance to ask Kraman, what he felt the market was for the restored cars from the 50's. He noted that he felt the market has plateaued but is still strong. He doesn't expect to see the typical annual increases that were the norm in the beginning of the 2000's, but there is still a demand for great cars done right. He felt that documentation and provenance (the background on the car and its authenticity) makes the difference. Now I can’t wait to see what Dana Mecum and crew can bring next year to Arizona!
© 2019 Mark C. Bach