by Unexpected Event at the Auction
Auctions usually generate excitement when buyers compete for unique classic cars; however, the recent Mecum auction became an exception due to an incident where one lot damaged at least three other collector cars.
Event Details
Photographs from the auction in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, show a 1958 Willys pickup that crashed into the side of a previously pristine 1966 C2 Corvette.
Chain Reaction
Exact information about what happened is limited, but Reddit user Zyncon suggests that the Mecum driver may have accidentally accelerated, causing the Willys to collide with the Corvette. The owner of one of the cars was reportedly nearby and witnessed this disaster.
The same user claims that three people were taken to the hospital as a result of the accident, which also damaged a 1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am and a 2019 Corvette C7 ZR1.
Mecum representatives were invited to comment on the details of the incident, the condition of the injured, and insurance matters.
Condition of the Cars
The Willys has minor front-end damage. According to the description, the car is equipped with a Chrysler Hemi 5.7-liter engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission, and also has a cab extended by 222 mm.
The C2 Corvette, which had only 25,477 miles at the time of the accident, was painted in the rare Mosport Green color (code-982) and had a Chevy 327 V8 engine with 350 hp, paired with a four-speed manual transmission.
Photo: Reddit/Zyncon
Based on the photographs, the C2 Corvette suffered the most damage. Damage was recorded not only on the passenger side where the Willys hit, but also on the driver’s side where the car collided with the black and gold Trans Am.
Other Damaged Cars
The Trans Am also had low mileage – only 23,070 miles. However, the lowest mileage was on the Corvette C7 ZR1 that the Trans Am hit. There were two such Sebring Orange-colored cars at the auction: one with 258 miles, the other with 656 miles.
Aftermath of the Accident
The most painful aspect is that both Corvettes and the Trans Am had been sold at the auction before the incident, while the Willys did not find a buyer. Perhaps this is what caused the unforeseen events.
Updates will be added if additional information is received.
Source: Mecum
This incident highlights the importance of adhering to safety rules during auctions where unique and expensive cars are gathered. Damage to such rare models as the C2 Corvette or Trans Am can have significant financial and historical consequences, as their restoration often requires great effort and cost. Furthermore, such cases can affect trust in event organizers, who must ensure maximum protection for the exhibits.
