These are the 10 most expensive vehicles sold at Mecum’s 2024 Kissimmee auction

The car which was supposed to be the World Rally Championship’s ‘Group B’ evolution of the 911 Dakar, the Porsche 959 instead went on to establish itself as a supercar of tomorrow with its futuristic electronics and whirlwind performance. Fitting, then, that this ultra-rare competitor to the F40 fetched close to one-and-a-half big ones at Kissimmee. Though the auction isn’t over just yet, and the 959 may still be knocked out of the top 10…

Images: Mecum

To the untrained eye, this black-on-black piece of classically styled metal may look like little more than a lightly restored scrapyard find. In reality, it’s one of Mercedes’ finest hours. Acting as a test bed for many of its then-revolutionary engineering advancements - such as independent four-wheel suspension - the 300SL Gullwing wholly deserves its £1.6m pricing.

While most Plymouth Hemi Cudas aren’t particularly special, this one is. It’s a one-of-14 convertible produced in 1970 and features an eye-catching double-whammy of ‘Bahama Yellow’ outside and fetching tan leather inside. We suspect the owner should receive a healthy dose of marriage proposals when they do decide to rock up at Sunset Boulevard.

Don’t worry, the Ferraris are coming. But first, let’s appreciate the first lot to break the £2m threshold: the first and last Chevrolet Corvette L88s ever built. The 1967 example - believed to be the only L88 Convertible ever to be finished in ‘Tuxedo Black’ - even has a storied history in motorsport. Just don’t loan it to Chris Tucker for the next Rush Hour film… unless he casts you as his and Jackie’s saviour.

Right, the first of the Ferrari unicorns is this 250 GT ‘Tour de France’, having earned that name tag after dominating the competition during the late ‘50s. It continued that fine form into the next decade, with Ferrari’s legendary 3.0-litre V12 leading it to numerous European GT-class victories throughout the golden age of sports car racing.

Ferrari F40 prices are only heading in one direction, and will likely never change trajectory. It’s fitting since this is the true genesis for the supercar class: the very first road car to snap the 200mph speedometer reading. But what makes the F40 special, beyond simply the outright pace and blistering cornering ability, is, well… just look at it. Whether it trumps an MR2 kit car is for you to decide.

So, this is what a genuine competition-grade Shelby Cobra 427 sells for these days. It’s one of just 23 factory works vehicles ever made, and competed in various championships around Europe during the late ‘60s before spending its retirement being perhaps the most handsome American sports car in any garage it ever visits. Also, do expect plenty of Cobra kit car owners to boast how theirs is better… somehow. Fragile egos and all, y’know?

Naming a car after your legendary founding father is a big gamble. Happily for Ferrari, it proved to be the right decision with the Enzo; a car to which the Old Man himself would’ve given a nod of approval. This one-of-six ‘Grigio Titanio’ example has under three thousand miles on the clock, so its interior has likely never got a sniff of a three-piece bucket from KFC. Poor thing.

A break from Maranello, sponsored by Detroit and the car which absolutely infuriated the Tifosi. The Ford GT40’s legend is well documented now, what with it winning four Le Mans on the trot and establishing itself as one of the finest racing cars ever made. But to recapture that ‘win on a Sunday, sell on a Monday’ attitude, Ford needed to make a few road-going versions. Happily, it did. And one just sold for a whopping £5.45m.

And then selling for nearly three times as much to snatch the 2024 Kissimmee crown is this 250 GT SWB California Spyder. Why stop there, Ferrari? Should’ve added ‘JKR45’ and ‘Whitby’ to its name. Perhaps the most astonishing thing is that it’s covered over 67,000 miles during its now 61-year lifespan. So, unlike the Enzo, it might actually get to experience the three-piece bucket - maybe even a serving of coleslaw and gravy. Lucky so-and-so.