Broad Arrow and Mecum: So Different, So Interesting

It’s hard to imagine a sale like Broad Arrow’s in San Francisco on February 15, with 104 cars, all very original because they came from the Academy of Art University — one of the most prestigious art and design schools in the United States — and all offered with no reserve.

With a total value of $12,635,000 and a turnover of $14,233,420, and an average price just under $137,000, it was a great success supported by a not insignificant psychological element: the cars were used by students for inspiration during their studies. In other words, these were cars that had inspired — through their design and interior solutions — countless new industrial design proposals. That’s why this collection had a value that went beyond the economic.

Now let’s talk about Mecum, which between March 18 and 22 hosted its classic auction in Glendale, Arizona. The offer was almost identical to 2024: from 1,341 to 1,347 cars with the same number sold—876 in each year. Incredible. What may have caused a bit of a frown was the 20% drop in revenue — from $55,691,025 to $43,279,075 — and the resulting average price, which fell from $63,574 to $49,405. Still, we’re talking about a highly respectable figure.
Let’s go back to Broad Arrow, starting with the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing — an iconic car that surely inspired countless Academy students. Finished in Strawberry Red Metallic with natural leather interior, it was visually striking, though its original color was Graphite with red leather and was changed in 1989 during its last restoration. So, a dated restoration, and one not always faithful to the specs. However, with an estimate of $1.2–1.5 million, it left plenty of room for a thorough refresh, perhaps to restore it to perfection. The hammer price of $1,490,000 was right at the top of the estimate. A good deal for everyone.

1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing sold for $1,490,000 (€1,377,000).

Another very interesting car was the 1952 Hudson Super Wasp Two Door Brougham. Why is it interesting? In Pixar's ‘Cars’ cartoon, one of the most famous characters is Doc Hudson an old American sedan who acts as an ‘old wise man’ for all the others. And guess where many of Pixar's cartoonists come from? Yes, from the Academy Art University. Is that a coincidence? Only three owners from new and just 18,700 miles, the original condition was perfect. And I must admit that it was also a very good deal, as against an estimate of $50,000-70,000 it changed hands for $36,400. The real car I would have taken home!

1952 Hudson ‘Super’ Wasp Two-Door Brougham sold for $36,400 (€33,650)

Those that did really well, however, were the small European cars, which in almost all cases exceeded the maximum estimate. A 1959 Autobianchi Bianchina Trasformabile (i.e. with an opening hood but fixed pillars) went from $30,000-40,000 to $47,600 on the hammer.

1959 Autobianchi Bianchina Trasformabile sold for $47,600 (€44,000).

A very pretty Volkswagen Beetle De Luxe with Golde sunroof made a nice jump from the $35,000-45,000 estimate: sold for $61,600. A Messerschmitt KR175 Convertible flew over the $25,000-35,000 estimate to $38,080 while furious bidding brought 1967 Volvo P1800S Coupe with just 10,300 miles from $35,000-45,000 to $78,400.

1967 Volvo 1800 S sold for $78,400 (€72,500).

The euphoria for these models generated chain records. The 1967 MGB GT reset its maximum value. Admittedly this was a rare Special version produced only for the US market, but apart from specific badges and the ‘racing’ mirror, there was no difference. The $25,000-35,000 was even high but the $47,600 is an incredible figure, far higher than the $35,570 that was the record until the previous day.

1967 MG MGB/GT Special sold for $47,600 (€44,000).

Then there’s the 1963 Lotus Elite SE, a car that had never fetched more than $110,000 for non-competitive versions, so the estimate of $60,000-80,000 might have been light even though it wasn’t in the best of conditions. Yet it sold for $123,200.

1963 Lotus Elite SE sold for $123,200 (€114,000).

And what about the 1959 Morris Minor 1000 Traveller? It was a rare left-hand drive, but on the other side of the Atlantic these cars sell for $10,000 in good condition, so the estimate of $25,000-35,000 was ambitious to say the least. But someone must have miscounted the zeros (or it's just hard to find one in this condition in California) and it went for $42,000, nearly $10,000 more than the previous record.

1959 Morris Minor 1000 Traveller sold for $42,000 (€38,750).

In the end, a great result for Broad Arrow and the Academy Art University. The Mecum sale was of a completely different style, with the most recent cars taking center stage: the five most expensive cars were all produced after 2000. In first place we find a very rare 2005 Ford GT Mark IV Red (just 14 examples) without the common stripes and equipped with BBS forged wheels. But it was certainly the mere 134 miles that determined the price of $605,000. This becomes interesting when we compare it to the other Ford GT (the second most expensive car in Arizona) that was sold for $440,000. Why $165,000 less? The colored bands and “basic” rims aren’t worth much and the 1141 miles it had on it certainly isn’t a lot.

2005 Ford GT Mark IV Red sold for $605,000 (€560,000).

And now we come to the car that was judged the ugliest in the world! For many, the 1975 AMC Pacer is truly unwatchable but I think that at the time the commentators were too cruel. It is true that it was not beautiful but it must be said that it was a car that followed the requests of the time for a compact and thrifty car. Speaking of design, among the curiosities, the right and left doors were of different sizes. This Mellow Yellow example with brown fake leather interior inspired sympathy. It went for $ 23,100.

1975 AMC Pacer sold for $23,100 (€21,500).

Even though in this episode we are mainly talking about design, I cannot forget to explain the market. In this, two Maserati MC20s come to our aid. Both were the open versions called Cielo, both from 2023, the same color, with the same type of rim, the same accessories but one had 34 miles and the other 129 miles. A negligible difference but one that could have played in favor of the first. Probably the result is due to the fact that the one with the most kilometers went first and eliminated a potential bidder for the second. Two identical cars in the same auction does not seem like a good choice.

2023 Maserati MC20 Cielo sold for $214,500 (€198,250).

What would I have wanted? As a Lagonda enthusiast, the 1939 LG6 Rapide had everything. The 4.5-liter engine by W.O. Bentley could push it to 105 mph as early as 1937 — so fast that politicians wanted it banned! Only six were ever made. The design was everything I could dream of, and the ultra-dark green was purely British. The $400,000–600,000 estimate was perfectly fair. The $401,000 sale price was just too much for me. A deep sigh…

1939 Lagonda LG6 Rapide sold for $401,000 (€370,500).