The Daily Vroom

Good morning Vroomers,

It’s a bonus Saturday edition!!

Over the years I’ve experienced many many auctions and seen nearly everything. But hearing and watching the story of what happened at Mecum last week, I felt I had to share with you all. I would love to hear your feedback on what you’ve seen at auctions of the years the good and the bad. Just hit reply on this email.

See you Monday..

YESTERDAY’S TOP 5 SALES

Want to dive deeper into any of these listings? Just click on the car to take you directly to the listing.

Mecum’s $2,000 Mistake That Cost More Than Money

I didn’t want to write this article for two reasons. One I keep the content here 99% about online auctions. Secondly I don’t want to tarnish an industry which I love all with the same brush, which in this case I am not. Just one bad example with some live evidence.

Every industry has its dirty little secrets. The live auction world is no different. For years I’ve heard stories first hand about the kinds of shenanigans that go on behind the scenes at certain auction houses. The difference today is that social media exists. It’s no longer whispers in the tent or private complaints swept under airtight contracts. Now when something happens it’s broadcast instantly.

And that’s where Mecum stepped in it last week in Monterey.

Let’s be clear. I love live auctions. The atmosphere, the energy, the drama of the gavel slamming down, it’s electric. Gooding for instance runs things with precision and integrity. But not every auction house does, and the behavior of a few brings down the reputation of the many.

So here’s what happened. Mecum was running a 1956 Continental Mark II. A bidder puts in $31,000. The auctioneer, unable to stir up another bid, slams down the hammer and clearly says “sold.” Everyone in the room knows what that means, game over. Except at Mecum, apparently. Because half a second later another bid came in at $32,000 (eventually sold for $33k) and somehow that became the winning number.

The original bidder was furious, and rightfully so. The hammer came down, the auctioneer said sold, even the screen flashed sold. But staff insisted he didn’t say it. Watch the video below, it’s obvious he did. Mecum’s own marketing videos brag that once the hammer falls it’s sold. Well, unless you’re bidding at their tent in Monterey, it seems.

@bobbyadamsworld

They stole our car!! 🤯 What would you do? #classiccar

Then came the insult after the injury. The bidder posted the clip on social media, and Mecum responded with a letter from their “Experience Team.” Not signed by a human being, not taking responsibility, not apologizing. Instead they doubled down. The letter claimed the $32,000 bid came in before the lot was declared sold. They pointed to Section 17 of the bidder agreement, the one that says the auctioneer’s determination is final and non-appealable. Translation, we can do whatever we want and you can’t touch us.

That’s not just wrong, it’s disgraceful. In the auction world your word is your bond. Would David Gooding ever pull this move? Never. The fact Mecum not only made the mistake but then lied about it, hid behind legalese, and refused to sign the letter is a stain on the entire business.

Now let’s be real. The bidder didn’t lose money here. But Mecum lost his business, and I doubt they’ll lose sleep over it. That’s the arrogance of a giant. They think reputations can’t be damaged. They think $2,000 isn’t worth caring about. But reputations are exactly what this industry runs on.

This is why online auctions keep eating into the live houses’ share of the market year after year. Online, when something goes wrong, it gets resolved quickly, transparently, and with accountability. The fees are lower, the listings are richer with photos, videos, and commentary, and the trust runs deeper. Compare how Randy handles issues versus Mecum’s “Experience Team” and it’s night and day.

It’s a shame, because I still believe live auctions add something special to the market. But when one of the biggest players gets caught in the act on video and chooses to deny, deflect, and hide instead of simply saying “we made a mistake,” it damages everyone.

Mecum didn’t just lose $2,000 here. They lost credibility. And that is worth a lot more.

Nearly Sale of the Day

Some cars are sold on presentation. Others on story. Yesterday’s Gullwing auction had one of the best stories you’ll ever see.

Bought in 1980, loved for 45 years, and driven more than 80,000 miles by an owner who turned the wrenches himself. This wasn’t a garage queen. It was a companion. It went on road trips, showed up at Cars & Coffee, and carried memories from Death Valley to the California coast. Every part of it spoke to a life well lived.

Bidding crept to $1.261M before stalling short of reserve. I hope the high bidder and seller can still make a deal happen, because this car deserves to be back on the road with someone who will add the next chapter.

And here’s the contrast. Just a few months ago, a different ’56 Gullwing sold on BaT for $2M. Same silver paint, same era, but half the mileage, fresher paintwork. That’s what the market rewarded.

As much as I love a driver and I’ll always argue that a Gullwing should be driven, today’s market is clear. Buyers pay up for condition and presentation. Cars with mileage and patina, even with stories this rich, are capped.

But wow. What a story.

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