1971 Hemi ’Cuda convertible sets record with $3.5M bid

Mecum’s inaugural Seattle auction June 13-14 carved out its place in the history books with the record-setting sale of a 1971 Plymouth Hemi ’Cuda Convertible (Lot S95). Hammering at an unprecedented $3.5 million, the sale now stands as the highest price ever achieved at auction for any of the storied muscle cars that came out of Detroit in the Golden Age. The sale price confirms that the 1971 Hemi ’Cuda Convertible truly is the crown jewel of muscle cars. Overall auction results included the successful sale of 321 additional vehicles, bringing total auction sales to $15,125,097.

Shortly following the intense, 8-minute bidding war that ended with the sale of the Hemi ’Cuda, four Calypso Coral Boss Mustangs from the Legacy Collection paraded to the block. Beginning with the 1970 Boss 429, each car from the collection witnessed vivacious bidding activity. Offered by local Washington collector Josh Dykes who had regularly shown this amazing group of Mustangs at local events, it was obvious that bidders had been anxiously awaiting their chance to snag a Legacy Boss for themselves. The 1970 Boss 429 (Lot S118) gaveled at $340,000 and became the auction’s second highest seller. The 1969 and 1970 Boss 302 Fastbacks hammered at $115,000 and $105,000, respectively (Lots S118.1 and S119). To round out the group, Dykes’ 2012 Boss 302 Patriot Edition (Lot S119.1) brought a healthy $86,000 sale.

“It was evident about an hour into the first auction day that the fine people of Seattle were glad we’d come to town,” described Mecum Auctions' President and Founder Dana Mecum. “The auction arena at CenturyLink Field Event Center quickly filled to capacity, and we had a great first auction. Our consignment docket exceeded expectations in both quantity and quality, and with the record-setting sale of the Hemi ’Cuda Convertible, it instantly put Mecum Seattle on the map. We look forward to returning to the Emerald City next year."

As made evident by the well-diversified top sellers, the quality of consignments at the inaugural event in Seattle was stellar. The complete top 10 sales list for the auction includes (all individual sales reflect hammer prices):

For more details on an upcoming auction, to consign a vehicle or to register as a bidder, visit www.mecum.com or call (262) 275-5050.