Mecum and RM: Unpredictable, therefore Contemporary

Two worlds, two auctions. RM Sotheby’s chose an unusual path for the collection of customised Porsches belonging to their extravagant owner, the designer Magnus Walker — beloved by the young for his look, his impossibly long hair and beard, and his flamboyant automobiles: a sale held entirely online. Clever, really. If his fortune lives on the internet, why exhaust yourself organising a live event? What happened? Eighteen cars offered without reserve, 100% sold — the expected outcome in such cases. The estimated value was $1,260,000, but when the day ended, the $1,829,520 on the board did not feel out of place at all.

Before examining the most interesting lots, let us look at what Mecum did in Glendale. Between the 17th and 21st of March, the classic Arizona sale played out with 1,258 cars offered — fewer than the 1,347 of 2025 — and 856 sales, also down on the previous year. Yet the success rate was 68.04%, an improvement over the 65.03% of twelve months earlier. Despite a slight dip in cars sold, their total value grew by 5%, from $43,279,075 to $45,524,490, for an average price of $53,183 — a decisive rise from last year’s $49,405.

For commentary, let us return to the Magnus Walker collection: these were very well-known cars, seen in countless videos, recognisable at first sight to any enthusiast. What was the top lot? A 1967 Porsche 911S in silver, but with a red front hood and the number 67, the word Porsche painted on the sill. The poetic licence does not stop at the paintwork: the wheels are Fuchs-style but from the Outlaw Fifteen52, the interior done in tartan and leather, while the engine is indeed matching but has been enlarged from the original 2.0 litres to 2.3 litres. In monetary terms: estimated at $150,000–200,000, it sold for $308,000. And now the inevitable question: a new record? Not quite — but it came very close. The highest price ever paid for this model was $335,000, just 10% above. Though the comparison would be a stretch, given the level of personalisation on this particular car.
1967 Porsche 911 S sold for $308,000 (€266,000)
The 1976 Porsche 911 Turbo carried a similar spirit: built for the Swiss market and therefore fitted with the more powerful 260 bhp engine rather than the 240 bhp version for the United States, it had been acquired by Walker in 2013 and immediately repainted in Minerva Blue, which it wore together with mixed-leather blue seats. The wheels deserve special mention of their own — gold in colour, they are, in fact, the very first set of wheels ever produced in the Outlaw series. Collectible on that basis alone? Perhaps. In any case, I must admit he was right to leave the original 3-litre engine untouched. The decisive touch was the RarlyL8 exhaust, more aggressive, and a lower ride height to make it resemble the 934. The estimate of $175,000–200,000 was surpassed at $203,500, demonstrating in this particular context that likes rhyme very well with bids.
1976 Porsche 911 Turbo sold for $203,500 (€176,000)
But Walker does not love only the 911 — his customisations can be adapted to any car wearing the Prancing Horse, even the more modest 924. Born as a Porsche 924 Turbo in 1980, it was delivered with a long list of accessories covering many needs: for comfort, a rear wiper and a four-speaker sound system; for performance, a rear spoiler and a limited-slip differential; while the Sport Group Package, an extremely rare option, added ventilated brake discs, uprated anti-roll bars and Koni shock absorbers. Just three years after delivery, the first owner also added the rare Holbert Racing Widebody kit. The second owner got serious with the engine, fitting a Turbo K26 and transforming it into something resembling a Carrera GT before passing it to Magnus Walker. At a normal auction, all these modifications would have been met with a degree of suspicion. But this was not a normal sale, and that is precisely why — despite an estimate of $45,000–50,000, already extremely high in itself (roughly three times the price of a standard example) — it was hammered down at $77,000, making it the most expensive road-going 924 ever sold at auction.
1980 Porsche 924 Turbo “Holbert Racing” Widebody sold for $77,000 (€66,500)
And if we are talking about the Midas Touch when it comes to Porsches, Walker worked his magic towards the end of the sale. The lot described as a “1968 Porsche Urban Outlaw Starter Kit” is difficult to define: not quite a car awaiting restoration, not quite a finished car either. Perhaps the closest thing I can offer is: an assembly kit for a first-series Porsche 911. Though even that doesn’t cover it. Everything was there — a 1968 911L to restore, plus several additional pieces: a 911S engine, a 901/02 gearbox also from a 911S but from an earlier period, wheels, sports seats, and much more in an assorted pile. In other words, a 911 to be fully restored, knowing that once finished it would be worth around $30,000. And yet, in this slightly mad auction, it closed at $66,000 — a figure that leaves one speechless. Bravo, Magnus.
1968 Porsche 911 Urban Outlaw Starter Kit sold for $66,000 (€57,000)
It is harder to understand why the Petersen Museum chose to sell four celebrated, historic Hot Rods at a non-specialist auction — one aimed at ‘special’ collectors, such as those who love a mythical and unforgettable era. These magnificent Ford Hot Rods from the 1930s, transformed in post-war California, reached prices that were hardly commensurate with their history.