Mecum is undoubtedly one of the biggest names out there when it comes to collector car auctions. With roughly 30 years in the business and broadcast support from NBC, Mecum moves upwards of 20,000 lots per year. Of course, not every one of those lots is of the four-wheeled variety, as Mecum also deals in vintage motorcycles, road art, and even tractors. Nevertheless, the automotive segment is Mecum’s bread and butter, and the auction held during Monterey Car Week is one of the biggest of the year, with 2017 shaping up to be no exception. Expect to see upwards of 600 vehicles roll across the block, with examples from across multiple segments – exotics, sports cars, muscle cars, antiques, and race cars will all go under the hammer in search of a new owner, and this year’s collection of lots looks to be as epic as always.

Last year, the top 10 cars from Mecum’s Monterey auction very nearly managed to rake in a combined $20 million, with notable lots including a 1968 Lamborghini Miura P400, a 1965 Shelby 289 Cobra Roadster, a 2005 Porsche Carrera GT, a 2014 McLaren P1, and a 2014 Ferrari LaFerrari. Will the lots in 2017 manage the same remarkable outcome? Read on for a preview of the heavy hitters slated to show.

Continue reading to learn more about the 2017 Mecum Monterey Auction.

The Lots

1958 Lister-Jaguar ‘Knobbly’ (Lot #F75)

Following a massive fire that destroyed its plant in Coventry in the ‘50s, Jaguar created this race machine as a successor to its iconic, fin-rocking D-Type. Outside, the Knobbly comes equipped with a body made from aluminum, with a steel tube chassis used underneath. Mounted under that curvaceous hood line you’ll find a 3.8-liter straight-six engine with enough go to produce a 0-to-60 mph time around 4 seconds and a top speed of 181 mph – a truly incredible set of numbers for a car that’s very nearly six decades old.

This particular example is one of just two ex-Briggs Cunningham Team Lister Knobbly Jaguars built, and the second of nine original Knobbly Jaguars. Also known by its serial number “BHL102,” this particular model also has a long list of competition successes, with names like Stirling Moss, Briggs Cunningham, John Fitch, Ed Crawford, Walt Hansgen, Phil Forno, Ed Hugus, and Chuck Daigh taking the wheel at various points throughout its career. More recently, BHL102 has participated at the Monterey Historics races at Laguna Seca, otherwise known as the Monterey Motorsports Reunion.

Mecum declines to list an estimate on its website, but if we were to guess, we’d say BHL102 could fetch upwards of $2.5 to $3 million, give or take.

1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona (Lot #S111)

Estimated Value – $1,250,000 to $1,650,000

Back in 1969, Ferrari began production of a competition-spec 365 GTB/4, but demand for these lightweight, race-ready coupes quickly outstripped supply, and thus more intrepid privateers took it upon themselves to make their own “Competizione” Daytonas. This particular example is one of just 11 such vehicles. Offered as a pristine race-ready Prancing Horse, this perfectly restored 1972 Le Mans-spec 365 comes equipped with a host of competition equipment, including flared fenders, racing wheels, sharpened suspension, brake air scoops, a cold air box, and a side exhaust. Under the hood is a 4.4-liter V-12 engine, which was recently upgraded with new lightened pistons, rods, cams, and heads. All told, the 12-cylinder makes a sizable 455 horsepower at 7,400 rpm and 354 pound-feet at 6,200 rpm. As you might expect, this example is eligible for a variety of historic racing events – if you’ve got the nerve to take it on the track.

Read our full review on the 1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona.

2010 Koenigsegg CCXR Trevita (Lot #S94)

Estimated Value – $2,700,000 to $3,000,000

The Koenigsegg CCXR Trevita is a combination of artistry and engineering, a sexy slab of speed with prodigious levels of both show and go. The Trevita name is a reference to a Swedish term that means “three whites,” an appropriate moniker considering the brilliant exterior finish. You see, to create this special edition CCXR, Koenigsegg developed a new method of carbon fiber production, creating a stunning white Diamond Weave carbon fiber finish as opposed than the traditional black carbon. Koenigsegg originally planned on making three examples (thus the “three whites”), but the production process ended up being too costly and time consuming, leading Koenigsegg to cap production at two.

This particular example was previously purchased by boxing legend Floyd Mayweather for $4.8 million, and it’s the only Trevita built to U.S. specification. Under the shiny body panels is a carbon fiber and aluminum honeycomb chassis, with motivation derived from a twin-supercharged aluminum 4.8-liter V-8 engine producing as much as 1,018 horsepower. Power is sent to the rear through a transverse paddle-shift transmission, while push rod suspension, 8-pot brakes, and the usual Swedish go-fast gear round it out. This Trevita is also practically new, clocking in with just 1,947 miles on the odometer.

Read our full review on the 2010 Koenigsegg CCXR Trevita.

2015 Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse (Lot #S116)

Estimated Value – $2,700,000 to $3,000,000

As the predecessor to the Chiron, the Veyron is the original bad bug of the hypercar world, first seeing production in 2005. Three years later, Bugatti unveiled the targa-topped Grand Sport model at the 2008 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. This particular black-and-orange example is one of 150 produced, and it’s one of the last Grand Sports imported to the U.S. Despite the increased headspace, the mechanical bits and performance go unchanged. Making it fast is the same 8.0-liter W-16 engine as before, with the stuffing provided by four turbos to make 1,200 horsepower total. A seven-speed DSG transmission and high-performance AWD system put the power down, with the 0-to-60 mph sprint done in 2.4 seconds and top speed rated at a mind-bending 254 mph. Active aero keeps it glued to the pavement.

Read the full review on the 2015 Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse.

2009 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722S Roadster (Lot #S82)

Estimated Value – $900,000 to $1,100,000

Back in the ‘50s, the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR wowed crowds thanks to the talents of men like Stirling Moss and Juan Manuel Fangio, and in recognition of that historic automobile, Mercedes teamed up with McLaren in 2003 to create the modern SLR McLaren. In 2006, an even-faster iteration was unveiled. Dubbed the 722 Edition as a nod to the racer that Moss wheeled to victory in the 1955 Mille Miglia road race, this sharp-looking drop top gets more power (up to 650 horsepower) from a supercharged 5.4-liter V-8 engine, plus big carbon ceramic disc brakes, new aero, and unique 19-inch wheels. This particular example is 1 of just 24 produced for stateside consumption, and comes with less than 2,000 miles on the odometer.

Read our full review on the 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722S Roadster.

2011 Ferrari 599 SA Aperta (Lot #S71)

Estimated Value – $1,400,000 to $1,550,000

First put into production in 2006, the 599 is very much a modern front mid-engine Prancing Horse grand tourer, boasting gorgeous exterior styling and enough performance potential to carry the title of fastest road-legal vehicle Ferrari of its day. While the original 599 was a hugely impressive automobile, some customers wanted even more, and thus, the limited edition run SA Aperta was born. Created in celebration of Ferrari’s partnership with design house Pininfarina, the Aperta gets a removable top, plus a 6.0-liter V-12 powerplant with roots in the hyper-powered 599XX track monster. Output is rated at 661 horsepower (Mecum says that “at full stride, the most beautiful engine song in all the world”), reaching the ground by way of an F1 Superfast gearbox. F1 Trac magnetorhelogical suspension and carbon ceramic brakes help it handle, while Rosso Dino orange exterior paint and two-tone Saddle leather upholstery for the cockpit make it look good. This particular example is 1 of just 80 produced, and comes with only 281 miles on the odometer.

Read our full review on the 2011 Ferrari 599 SA Aperta.

Ferrari F12tdf (Lot #S79)

Estimated Value – $1,350,000 to $1,500,000

If you’re looking for superlative front-engine Ferrari speed, look no further. Based on the successor to 599, the F12 boasts the latest in Maranello-based go-fast stuff. This particular model is the “tdf” version, a reference to the Tour de France endurance race, thus boasting less weight and even more power than the standard F12berlinetta. Making it go is a 6.3-liter V-12 engine producing 763 horsepower and 520 pound-feet of torque, blessing the coupe with a 0-to-60 mph time of 2.9 seconds and a top speed of 211 mph. Outside is a striking yellow finish with black stripes, a color scheme that’s continued inside the cabin. This particular example is 1 of 799 produced, and comes with just 84 miles on the odometer.

Read our full review on the Ferrari F12tdf.

The Details

Where: Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa, Del Monte Golf Course, 1 Old Golf Course Road, Monterey, California, 93940

When: Wednesday, August 16th, through Saturday, August 19th

How: 1-day tickets start at $20 when purchased online here. Children 12 years and younger are admitted free of charge.

References

Read our full review on the 1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona.

Read our full review on the 2010 Koenigsegg CCXR Trevita.

Read our full review on the Ferrari F12tdf.

Read our full review on the 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722S Roadster.