Now that the restrictions of the pandemic protocols have been lifted, America is getting back to doing what it used to do outside of the home. That includes shopping, eating out, gathering in groups, and apparently includes spending lots of money at car auctions. This is where collectibles hit the road to attract both collectors and investors alike.

The Mecum Indy car auction held in May of 2021 delivered some rather strong results. Mecum’s press release noted that this was a record-setting event and also pointed out that this was its second auction in 2021 that brought in more than $100 million in total auction sales. That was specified as more than $107.8 million by the final sale.

A run-down of the top ten auctions by dollar price showed that most of the cars went at or above the mid-point of their own estimates. The number-one 1 seller was a 1930 Duesenberg Model SJ Rollston Convertible Victoria bringing $2.97 million, and there was a tie for the number-two in top sales at $1.87 million. Another issue that stood out was that 4 examples of Ford GT models were in the top-ten highest prices.

According to Mecum, there were many private collections up for grabs and that over a dozen of those totaled more than $1 million. The press release said:

Private collections were plentiful in Indy, with more than a dozen of them achieving overall sales in excess of seven figures and some of the largest and highest quality assemblages reaching well into the multi-millions.

The complete top 10 collector car sales at the Indy 2021 auction include:

• 1930 Duesenberg Model SJ Rollston Convertible Victoria (Lot S135) at $2,970,000… estimate was $2,750,000 to $3,250,000.
• 1969 Ford Bronco ‘Big Oly’ (Lot F131) at $1,870,000… was previously listed as “call for estimate.”
• 2020 Ford GT MkII (Lot S209.1) at $1,870,000… estimate was $1,600,000 to $1,700,000.
• 2014 McLaren P1 (Lot S170) at $1,347,500… estimate was $1,200,000 to $1,300,000.
• 2019 Ford GT Lightweight (Lot S133) at $1,100,000… estimate was $950,000 to $1,100,000.
• 2019 Ford GT (Lot F148) at $1,045,000… estimate was $1,000,000 to $1,100,000.
• 2019 McLaren Senna (Lot S171) at $946,000… estimate was $900,000 to $1,000,000.
• 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster (Lot S162) at $907,500… estimate was $1,100,000 to $1,300,000
• 2011 Ferrari 599 SA Aperta (Lot S167) at $880,000…. estimate was $950,000 to $1,050,000.
• 2006 Ford GT Heritage Edition (Lot F126) at $572,000… estimate was $515,000 to $545,000.

These were the largest collections commanding the highest prices for their combined lots:

• Parnelli Jones Collection — brought a total of $3.15 million.
• Dr. Mark Davis Collection — the six top-shelf Select Red/Red Survivor Corvettes brought a total of $1.05 million.
• Charlie Thomas Estate Collection saw 145 of its cars sell for a combined total of $6.67 million.
• Marshall Goldman Collection — 26-car collection sold for a combined $6.59 million.
• Gene Hetland’s celebrated Deuceheaven Collection — sold for $2.68 million.
• John Lucey Collection — 9 autos sold for a total of $1.35 million.

Mecum’s release also noted strong sales for the road art category and for charities. The report said:

In addition to car sales, more than 2,709 Road Art items were offered at the auction as well, with a total of 2,628 hammering sold throughout the duration of the event. Top sales from the Road Art realm included a Miles Ahead Carroll Shelby Statue (Lot Q171) that sold for $41,300, a Ford Double-Sided Porcelain Neon Sign (Lot Q318) that brought $35,400 and the Big Oly Race-Worn Helmet and Goggles (Lot P613) that sold for $25,960, to name just a few.

One especially unique offering available in Indianapolis this year was Mecum Bidder Badge No. 2 (Lot F154.2), which was offered as part of an estate collection with all proceeds to benefit Mecum Auctions’ charity of choice, Curing Kids Cancer. The badge itself brought a total of $236,000 to benefit the honorable CKC mission, while the remaining three cars in the high-quality estate offering achieved an aggregate $662,200.