Mecum Auctions

Mecum Auctions, Inc.

Company type	Private
Industry	Auction
Founded	1988 (1988)
Founder	Dana Mecum
Headquarters	Walworth , United States
Area served	United States
Key people	Dana Mecum (President), Dave Magers (CEO), Frank Mecum (Consignment Director)
Products	Collector automobile and motorcycle auctions
Number of employees	300+
Website	mecum.com

Mecum Auctions, Inc. is a U.S.-based auction firm that specializes in collector automobiles and motorcycles. Established in 1988 by Dana Mecum and initially headquartered in Marengo, Illinois, the company relocated its main office to Walworth, Wisconsin in 2011. It organizes numerous auction events nationwide, with television broadcasts beginning in 2008 enhancing its visibility and market reach.

History

Dana Mecum, whose family operated a car dealership in Marengo, Illinois, founded Mecum Auctions. His early business dealings involved exchanging semi-trailer trucks for rental properties and later for collectible cars, which ultimately inspired the creation of an automotive auction enterprise.

The company's first auction occurred in Rockford, Illinois in 1988. Despite challenges such as harsh weather conditions and legal obstacles, Mecum persevered and operated for 14 years before achieving profitability. During this period, a proposed $500,000 sale intended to clear company debts was rejected. By 2008, Mecum had successfully auctioned its 50,000th vehicle.

After many years headquartered in Marengo, the company moved to Walworth in 2011. Mecum Auctions has evolved into a major regional employer with a workforce exceeding 300 employees. Since 2013, CEO Dave Magers—previously CFO at Country Financial—has overseen the company’s strategic development. Founder Dana Mecum continues as president, actively engaged alongside family members including his son Frank Mecum, who serves as consignment director.

In 2017, Mecum diversified its operations by establishing Mecum Auto Transport, a trucking division dedicated to transporting consigned and sold vehicles via semi-trailers, thereby improving logistical efficiency and expanding service capabilities.

Auction overview

Mecum’s auctions appeal to a broad audience, with approximately 90% of attendees being spectators rather than bidders. Event attendance ranges from 20,000 to 100,000 visitors.

The inaugural Rockford Spring Classic auction began in 1988 at Greater Rockford Airport before relocating to the Metro Center and subsequently Boone County fairgrounds by 1991 while maintaining the Rockford title. These events generally attracted crowds between 12,000 and 15,000.

In 1996, Mecum launched premium auctions featuring higher-grade vehicles that typically drew about 1,000 participants per event. The company also managed a significant annual Chevrolet auction in Grayslake, Illinois—recognized as one of North America’s largest Chevy-specific gatherings—and administered Bloomington Gold, a Corvette-focused exhibition held each June in Bloomington, Illinois. Mecum acquired Bloomington Gold during the 1990s but divested it in 2012 due to waning interest and competition from other regional Corvette auctions; revenue declined from $7.7 million in 2008 to $1.8 million by 2013.

By 2016, Mecum was auctioning roughly 15,000 vehicles each year—including muscle cars and pre-World War I automobiles—with annual sales reaching $300 million. The company is particularly known for specializing in muscle cars from the mid-20th century (1950s through the 1970s). By 2017, it had broadened its offerings to include dedicated motorcycle and tractor auctions and incorporated road art into its primary events. Mecum currently hosts fourteen annual auctions across the United States, highlighted by a premier $100 million, ten-day auction each January in Kissimmee, Florida—its largest and most profitable event since debuting Florida auctions in 2002.

Additional prominent venues include Anaheim, California; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Indianapolis, Indiana; Las Vegas, Nevada; and Monterey, California. These auctions are conducted by a mobile team of approximately 200 employees and often showcase vehicles with regional significance. Some events also support charitable initiatives—for instance, Mecum auctioned the final Mitsubishi Eclipse produced in 2011 for philanthropic purposes.

During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns of 2020, Mecum upgraded its online bidding system and introduced live streaming of auctions. This digital shift significantly increased online engagement and contributed to record-breaking revenues of $675 million in 2021.

Television coverage

Mecum's television broadcasts commenced in 2008, a period that coincided with the onset of the Great Recession. Before this shift, approximately 90 percent of purchasers were automotive dealers who typically resold their acquisitions after the auctions. The economic downturn led to the closure of numerous dealerships, resulting in a buyer demographic increasingly composed of end consumers. Dana Mecum acknowledged that the company’s survival and expansion were closely tied to its television presence.

The initial broadcasts appeared on Discovery HD (which later became Velocity), with NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) taking over coverage in 2014. This transition led to a remarkable increase in viewership, exceeding 500 percent growth. By 2017, Mecum auctions ranked among NBCSN’s most-watched programming, trailing only Premier League soccer. The show Mecum Dealmakers, which showcased behind-the-scenes auction preparation and management, aired on NBCSN from 2014 through 2015. Following NBCSN’s closure in December 2021, Motor Trend assumed broadcast responsibilities starting January 2022.

In March 2025, Mecum revealed a strategic alliance to transfer its auction programming to ESPN+, broadening its digital audience and strengthening its foothold within automotive auction media.

Notable sales

Vehicle	Sale price	Auction details	Notes
1963 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder SWB	$17.85 million	Kissimmee, 2024	Holds the record as Mecum’s highest-priced vehicle sale.
1908 Strap Tank Harley-Davidson	$935,000	Las Vegas, 2023	One of only twelve globally; the priciest motorcycle ever sold at Mecum.
1953 Hirohata Merc	$1.95 million	Kissimmee, 2022	A customized automobile derived from a 1951 Mercury Eight.
1963 Chevrolet Corvette	$1.5 million	Schaumburg, 2013	Previously owned by General Motors executive Harley Earl; a modified vehicle.
1963 Pontiac Catalina	$530,000	Indianapolis, 2014	One of fourteen units manufactured by Pontiac specifically for drag racing.
1964 Ford GT40 prototype	$7 million	Houston, 2014	Ranks among Mecum’s most valuable auctioned vehicles.
1965 Shelby Daytona Cobra coupe	$7.25 million	Monterey, 2009	Formerly held Mecum’s record for highest auction price.
1968 Ford Mustang GT Fastback	$3.74 million	Kissimmee, 2020	Driven by actor Steve McQueen in the film Bullitt; the priciest Mustang sold at auction.
1976 Porsche 930 Turbo Carrera	$1.95 million	Monterey, 2015	Previously owned by actor Steve McQueen.
1979 Porsche 930 Turbo	$324,500	Schaumburg, 2018	Owned by football legend Walter Payton; one of approximately 1,200 units produced for the U.S. market.
2004 Ford Shelby Cobra Concept	$2.6 million	Monterey, 2021	A unique concept vehicle developed by Ford Motor Company.