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Mecum Auctions Launches Mecum On Time Memorabilia Auction
Most of you know that last November we had the honor of hosting three of the original Rapid Transit System Caravan cars from Steven Juliano's incredible collection. Most of you also know that my relationship with Steven, who we lost last September after a ten year battle with pancreatic cancer, dates back over 30 years. Planning for the showing of these cars started several years before, when we had our annual chat at MCACN above the show office in Rosemont. After someone mentioned that we would never be able to top our Hemi E-Body Convertible display, Steven quite simply said "you may not be able to top it, but I know how we can rival it!" and the rest, as they say is history. I can not express how much of an honor it was to be able to have these cars at the 2018 Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals show. They had never been shown together anywhere, anytime outside of Steven's collection. Thank You, my friend!
As we all know, Steven's collection will be sold at Dana Mecum's 32nd Original Spring Classic Auction in Indianapolis in a few weeks. This particular auction is always a must do event for anyone into American Muscle, but the addition of this collection certainly puts it over the top.
First off, Steven's fours Cobra's will be offered. Now these aren't just any Cobra's; they are the absolute best of the best. To define perfection in the collectible automobile field may be a debatable topic, but allow me to state that these cars represent perfection. Stevens dedication, research and quite honestly, having the means assures that. And this statement holds true across the board, whether we are talking Cobra's, Muscle Mopars, the Rapid Transit System cars or his memorabilia. Heck...it even applies to his 1975 Opel Manta! (I dare you to find a finer example.) And even the last car he purchased, the unrestored Cheetah, is the undisputed finest unrestored example extant.
Recently I had the distinct honor of being asked by Dana Mecum and Steven's daughter Nicole to organize and coordinate nearly 2,000 pieces of memorabilia that are being offered. No easy task, I spent days working with a truly outstanding team to unwrap, catalog, photograph and prepare each and every item. We have all seen pictures of Steven's personal museum in California, and I have had the pleasure of seeing it in person several times. I was also among the select few who were invited into "the attic" where Steven stored hundreds of items, some still in the shipping boxes, where he pulled an item or two for display many years ago. Overwhelming? You bet! Fun? Absolutely. A week of 12-14 hour days, with two guys moving items, a photographer shooting every item and Mecum Road Art Manager Tiffany inputting data (and getting more of an education than she ever thought she needed) and we had a handle on how to make it happen.
Knowing the volume and complexity of this monumental task, Dana and his team have created something brand new for this collection. Called Mecum On Time, this new format allows everyone the chance to purchase items both in person or online and over a 30 day period. Each of the lots is listed, and is broken down into four separate groups. This allows a much easier way to take it all in, while also giving you plenty of time to study the items and find what you want. But be prepared...with close to 2,000 lots being offered, there is a lot to absorb!
Anyone can register to bid at no cost, and bidding will end Friday, May 17, and Saturday, May 18. And in case you are wondering, the answer is YES; in addition to the Cobra's, the Cheetah, the Opel and the Rapid Transit System cars, each and every piece of Steven's Road Art will be on display at the Indianapolis State Fairgrounds for the auction. Now that alone is reason to attend! But of course, sometimes it just isn't in the cards to attend in person, so that is why the new Mecum On Time system is so neat. Even if you aren't planning on buying, being able to view these items is a treat.
As of this writing items are still being added, and they range from cuff links and coffee mugs to banners, bikes, tires and billboards. How's that for a rare opportunity?
Registration for Mecum On Time auctions is a separate registration than the live auction cars and road art being auctioned in Indianapolis, so if you want to bid on items On Time and also via the live auction, you will need to register for each. Again, you can bid onsite in Indy or from the comfort of your easy chair, but don't miss out on this opportunity.
There is no doubt that it would be neat to see all of this remain intact. Of course, the reality is that to do that would most likely require a full time staff, a large building and a full time commitment. I can tell you, that is not what Steven wanted. What he did want was to make sure his daughter and Grand-kids would not be burdened with this task. So let's look at the bright side; this year at Dana Mecum's Original Spring Classic we all have the opportunity to own a piece (or pieces) of Road Art that are not only incredibly cool, but are also unique in that they were once a part of the Steven Juliano Collection. That means that each and every item being offered is very special, whether it is one of the cars or a brochure or billboard, and will always be remembered in honor of a very special person that I know was the most passionate and enthusiastic collector I have ever met. And believe me...I have met a lot of collectors!
Dana Mecums Original Spring Classic takes place May 14-19. The Steven Juliano Estate Collection of memorabilia auctions will culminate Friday, May 17, and Saturday, May 18 with the cars crossing the block Saturday, May 18. Of course, The Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals will have a display onsite to promote the upcoming MCACN show, which will take place at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, (suburban Chicago), Illinois, November 23-24. Please plan on looking me up to hear what we have in store for the show this year.
Thanks and looking forward to seeing you in Indy!
Special Thanks also go out to Dana Mecum, Sam Murtaugh, Tiffany and the crew, and Nicole M. for allowing me to be a part of this, in honor of Steven Juliano.
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