Does Mecum Buy Cars?

[CornDogsCharger]

So long story short. A family member told me about someone that has been hoarding up cars and parts for years.  Some of the cars were restored and some were project cars.  He and his wife are getting up in their age and are ready to sell everything. My family member told him that I might be interested in one (or some) of the cars.  He said that someone from Mecum already came out and took inventory, pictures, and video of the cars. At this time he was waiting to hear back from them on their offer.

So my question is... Has anyone heard of this before? I wasn't aware of Mecum actually buying cars... especially project cars.  Or is this guy full of it?

Justin
"CornDog"

[Ghoste]

More likely they are going to try and get him to consign them all.

[CornDogsCharger]

More likely they are going to try and get him to consign them all.

Even project cars?  He made it out like they purchased the cars. Might be a third party involved??

[Ghoste]

If its the right project its worth consigning but I'd be surprised if they bought them outright unles they got them really cheap and the projects are special enough to warrant it.

[Aero426]

At Mecum Indy this year, about 30 higher end Mopars from the "Bill Sefton Collection" were offered.   My understanding is that Mecum owned those cars at the time of the sale.   

[Ghoste]

Oh yeah, I could see them doing that.  Auction companies will buy cars to "seed" auctions but they have to careful about it.  You buy too many or the wrong ones (or maybe the right ones depending on your point of view) and you really open yourself up to conflict of interest complaints.
They do it for sure but they are very particular, small scale and low key about it.

[Aero426]

The Bill Sefton cars were all high end pieces too.   No projects.  

It is possible that Sefton may have approached the auction house and wanted to liquidate the cars quickly.   

[Ghoste]

And sometimes with that end stuff quick liquidate stuff, the auction house will front the collector the money making them technically the owners even though the car may still be in the collectors name.  Also sometimes the auction house will guarantee an amount for a collector and if the bids don't hit the number they end up owning the car whether they want to or not.

[maxwellwedge]

Well - Bill got into some hot water with the govt.....  I know Mecum has bought cars before....bought a bunch of Yenko's from a friend.