
Collector-car auctions sell plenty of high-dollar vehicles, but they also offer more-accessible classics. This 1963 Buick Riviera sold for less than the cost of the average 2018 Buick Encore subcompact crossover.
Every October, the Mecum Auctions road show rolls into Chicagoland for a weekend-long event that takes over the Schaumburg Convention Center in Schaumburg, Illinois. Like any of the major-league televised auctions, the 2018 Mecum Chicago shindig had its share of big-ticket featured lots. A 1979 Porsche 930 Turbo originally owned by legendary Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton was the star of this year’s show—it sold for $324,500, topping the list of results for the event.
However, for every six-figure exotic or super-rare muscle car that crosses the block at an event like this, there are usually dozens of more-affordable vintage classics and special-interest vehicles that are also offered for sale. And even if you’re not intending to be a bidder, a Mecum auction ends up being a heck of a car show. You’d be hard pressed to find a more eclectic assemblage of vehicles and automobilia, and some of this stuff has rarely—if ever—been publically shown. Have a gander at a few of the machines that caught our eye at this year’s show.
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1961 Studebaker Hawk

1961 Studebaker Hawk
1966 Buick Electra 225 4-door sedan

1966 Buick Electra 225 4-door sedan
1934 Dodge Model DR convertible coupe

1934 Dodge Model DR convertible coupe
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1981 Toyota Land Cruiser

1981 Toyota Land Cruiser
1967 Pontiac Catalina 2-door hardtop

1967 Pontiac Catalina 2-door hardtop
1932 Studebaker Model 91 President State Sedan

1932 Studebaker Model 91 President State Sedan
1977 Chevrolet El Camino

1977 Chevrolet El Camino
1965 Volkswagen Beetle

1965 Volkswagen Beetle
1956 Dodge Coronet Lancer 2-door hardtop

1956 Dodge Coronet Lancer
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1979 Pontiac Firebird Esprit

1979 Pontiac Firebird Esprit
1958 Chevrolet Bel Air 4-door sedan

1958 Chevrolet Bel Air 4-door sedan
1979 Ford F-150 Ranger

1979 Ford F-150 Ranger
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1967 Mercury Cougar

1967 Mercury Cougar
1964 Oldsmobile Ninety Eight 2-door hardtop

1964 Oldsmobile Ninety Eight 2-door hardtop
1976 BMW 2002

1976 BMW 2002
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1963 Chevrolet Nova SS convertible

1963 Chevrolet Nova SS convertible
1978 Jeep CJ-7 Renegade

1978 Jeep CJ-7 Renegade
1962 Ford Galaxie 2-door sedan

1962 Ford Galaxie 2-door sedan
Photo Feature: 1910 Buick 60 Special “Bug” Racecar
1957 Buick Special 4-door sedan

1957 Buick Special 4-door sedan
1995 Mercedes-Benz E320 Cabriolet

1995 Mercedes-Benz E320 Cabriolet
Photo Feature: 1947 Studebaker Gardner Special Roadster