World’s largest collector car auction: to be held in Florida

13 January, 2014


The world’s largest collector car auction will see the hammer flying non-stop for ten days straight.

Mecum Collector Car Auction will be held at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Florida, January 17-26, 2014.

With 3000 vehicles and 3000 items of road art and memorabilia, the auction will feature everything from high-performance muscle cars, 50s era car, vintage racers, European sports and exotics, and a vast offering of Corvettes.

There is sure to be something for everyone as there will be investment grade collector cars through to entry level vehicles, with prices looking to range from several thousands of dollars to several millions of dollars.

Just one of the 3000 vehicles up for auction is the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Dick Land Race Car. Piloted by driver Dick Lang, this Corvette has been restored by the Naber Brothers to its glory day configurations and has become a multiple-award winner securing even the National Corvette Restorers Society American Heritage Award “for the preservation of a historically significant piece of Corvette history”.


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If a trip to Florida is not quite possible within the auction time frame, Octopus Motors could be your on-site alternative so you still stand a chance at bidding on the collector cars featured at the sale.

Octopus Motors will be representing interested buyers at the auction. The company prides itself on its ability to advise, communicate, and represent its clients’ best interests, at the sale location.

It has an international team of experts who will provide professional evaluations on the vehicles you are interested in. On top of this, if you desire customization, restoration, or refurbishment be carried out on your vehicle, Octopus Motors can do this prior to shipping. Worldwide shipping is available.

To find out which collector cars will be auctioned each day, and for more details on each lot, visit www.mecum.com.

Honda’s game-changing EB1 Civic

Japanese cars, and Hondas in particular, were about to flourish in New Zealand. This was the crux of the conversation I was having with Russell Moller, sitting in his Greenlane, Auckland, motor dealership early in 1973. Russell was particularly excited about the new Civic EB1 small car that had been unveiled in Japan the previous year.
I was about to leave on an extended stay in Britain. When I returned more than two years later, it was apparent Russell had called it right. Norton and Russell Moller had gained the licence to import fully built up Hondas, and formed Honda Pacific. A few highly prized Civics arrived before the New Zealand Motor Corporation (NZMC) assumed the franchise from the Moller Group. The corporation’s plans included building the EB1 at NZMC’s plant at Petone, near Wellington, and the first CKD (completely knocked down) Civic, a bright yellow example, rolled off the local assembly line in March 1976.

1985 Citröen 2CV6 Charleston

Kerry describes it as ‘a very simple car to do’. The suspension can be set to the required ride height. It is essential to weigh each corner to avoid too much weight difference from side to side. The four-speed gearbox was re-built. They are prone to getting a little water in them if not serviced correctly. Water etches into the bearings. The main shaft was also replaced.
But as it was a reasonably high mileage car, Kerry expected a few mechanical issues.
“The lady I bought it off owned it from 900km after it had been sold new to a gentleman in Palmerston North. He found he couldn’t fit into it. This woman in Hamilton bought it and she had run it to a total of 101,000kms. It was brand new in 1985 so it’s done quite a few kilometres for a little car.”
Not surprisingly, these little cars grow on their owners and the previous lady owner is now interested in buying it back.