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Mecum Auctions' first sale in Middle Tennessee did more than clear the bar. The company reports that its inaugural Mecum Nashville auction, held September 22-26 at Nashville Superspeedway, produced more than $73 million in sales, making it the most successful debut event in Mecum history.
Consignment demand was strong enough that Mecum stretched the event to five auction days, and 1,750 vehicles ultimately crossed the block. The sale finished with a 75 percent sell-through rate, a figure Mecum expects to climb, along with total sales, as its Bid Goes On department continues brokering post-auction deals on cars that fell short of reserve.
A Ferrari Leads, but Race Cars Steal the Story
The top result belonged to a 2024 Ferrari 812 Competizione Aperta, which sold through Bid Goes On for $4,050,000. That is a rare open-top, V12-powered Ferrari in a limited run, and it sold for more than four times the next-highest result of the week.
What followed says more about where collector enthusiasm sits right now. Two cars from the Jack Roush Automotive Collection took the second and third spots. The 1995 Ford Mustang Cobra "Nobody's Fool" IMSA road race car, driven by Paul Newman, sold for $935,000, while the 1997 Ford Mustang Cobra SCCA Trans-Am car driven by Tommy Kendall brought $825,000. Race-proven provenance, famous drivers and a direct line to Roush's competition history are exactly the attributes that have kept buyers aggressive. We previewed the lineup earlier in our look at the Roush Automotive Collection heading to Nashville.
Ford GTs Hold Their Ground
Ford's mid-engine supercar had a strong week. A 2020 Ford GT Mk II sold for $792,000, a 2005 Ford GT with just 70 miles brought $770,000, and a 2006 Ford GT followed at $737,000. Three GTs in the top six confirms what recent sales elsewhere have shown: the modern Blue Oval halo car remains one of the safest places for collector money. The same story played out when a Ford GT topped Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas 2026.
The Full Top 10
- 2024 Ferrari 812 Competizione Aperta: $4,050,000
- 1995 Ford Mustang Cobra "Nobody's Fool" IMSA Road Race Car: $935,000
- 1997 Ford Mustang Cobra SCCA Trans-Am Road Race Car: $825,000
- 2020 Ford GT Mk II: $792,000
- 2005 Ford GT: $770,000
- 2006 Ford GT: $737,000
- 1972 Chevrolet K5 Blazer Custom: $693,000
- 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 Fastback: $616,000
- 1965 Aston Martin DB5: $605,000
- 2014 Ferrari 458 Spider: $533,500
Muscle, Trucks and Restomods Round Out the List
Below the supercars, the list reads like a map of the market's strongest segments. A custom 1972 Chevrolet K5 Blazer brought $693,000, a reminder of how far high-end truck builds have climbed. The 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 Fastback sold for $616,000, and the Boss 429 remains a benchmark for Detroit homologation specials. If you want context on how rare those cars are, see our report on the unrestored 1969 Boss 429 that became the first seven-figure example. A 1965 Aston Martin DB5 at $605,000 and a 2014 Ferrari 458 Spider at $533,500 closed out the top ten, showing steady demand for European classics and late-model exotics alike.
Truck and Bronco fans had their own reasons to watch, including the one-off Saleen Big Oly Bronco prototype that headed to Mecum Nashville.
Why Nashville Worked
Mecum chose a motorsports venue, and the setting suited the inventory. Guests could ride along on track through NASCAR Experience rides during the event, and the paddock-and-pit atmosphere gave a race-car-heavy consignment list a natural home. A five-day format that grew from consignment demand, rather than a schedule imposed from above, is also a healthier signal for the market than a headline total alone.
The result also fits a broader pattern across this fall's auction calendar, with buyers paying up for documented, low-mileage and race-pedigreed cars while the middle of the market stays selective. Our coverage of Barrett-Jackson's first Columbus auction showed a similar appetite for rare Detroit muscle.
What's Next
Mecum heads to Dallas/Fort Worth next, with an estimated 1,500 vehicles expected at Dickies Arena October 21-24, 2026. Details on consigning a vehicle or registering as a bidder are available at Mecum.com or by phone at (262) 275-5050.
Source: Mecum Auctions. Totals and sell-through are as reported by Mecum and may rise as Bid Goes On sales are finalized.
