A green 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing sold for a strong $1,815,000 to top the results at the Mecum Glendale 2023 collector car auction.
The only factory-produced green 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing sold for $1,815,000 as the most expensive car in the Mecum 2023 classic and collector car auction in Arizona, USA. It was the only car selling for over a million dollars but Mecum earned $56 million by selling 1,266 lots — a 76% sell-through rate — in the five-day auction.
Mecum’s Glendale 2023 Classic and Collector Car Auction
Mecum’s Glendale 2023 classic and collector car auction was held March 28-April 1 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. In contrast to many other auctioneers, Mecum starts the annual auction year in Kissimmee, Florida, rather than in Scottsdale or Phoenix but clearly does not ignore Arizona.
In 2023, Mecum earned $56 million in total overall sales as 1,266 lots hammered sold in the Glendale auction. With a total of 1,667 lots offered throughout the five-day auction, a sell-through rate of 76% was achieved.
Top Ten Results at Mecum Glendale 2023 Sale
The top ten most expensive cars sold at the Mecum Glendale 2023 collector car sale were:
1. 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing (Lot S132) at $1,815,000
2. 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS (Lot S114.1) at $605,000
3. 2022 Mercedes-Benz AMG G63 4×4 Squared (Lot S158) at $489,500
4. 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Split Window Coupe (Lot F135) at $390,500
5. 2005 Ford GT (Lot S98.1) at $374,000
6. 1969 Chevrolet Yenko Camaro (Lot S142) at $363,000
7. 1968 Chevrolet Yenko Camaro RS/SS (Lot F168) at $357,500
8. 1959 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible (Lot S215.1) at $308,000
9. 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 70th Anniversary Convertible (Lot S87) at $302,500
10. 2020 McLaren 720S Spider (Lot S144) at $302,500
Most-Expensive Cars Sold at Mecum Glendale 2023
The diverse selection of available classic and collector cars in Glendale resulted in a similarly varied top 10 sellers list, with a wide selection of both American-built beauties and coveted imports from Europe making the cut.
The most expensive car sold in the Mecum Glendale 2023 sale was a green 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing (Lot S132) that brought $1,815,000 — the highest Gullwing result thus far in 2023 but not as extravagantly expensive as some sold in 2022. This 300 SL retained its rebuilt, original, matching-numbers 3.0L fuel-injected inline 6-cylinder engine and is the only known example delivered in Mittelgrün (mid-green) over green and gray leather of the 1,400 produced between 1954 and 1957. The auction-leading Gullwing had undergone a meticulous restoration by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum in the late-2000s, where it was displayed periodically from 2015-2020—qualities that made it an especially desirable classic.
A 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS (Lot S114.1) was the second most expensive lot selling for $605,000, and a 2022 Mercedes-Benz AMG G63 4X4 Squared (Lot S158) was third with a sale price of $489,500.
While everything from prewar antiques to nearly new supercars and more was on offer in Glendale, six of the top 10 seller spots were claimed by an exceptional cross-sampling of American muscle and sports cars, including a 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Split Window Coupe (Lot F135) that sold for $390,500, a 2005 Ford GT (Lot S98.1) that brought $374,000, and a pair of Yenkos that each exceeded $350,000—a 1969 Chevrolet Yenko Camaro (Lot S142) and a 1968 Chevrolet Yenko Camaro RS/SS (Lot F168)—to name a few.
Collections were another highlight of the Glendale auction lineup. The headlining Mile High Collection was exceptionally well received with all 19 of its vehicles selling for an overall total of $1.78 million. The Premier Corvette Pace Car Collection also saw a warm reception from bidders with 12 of its vehicle offerings selling for more than $1 million in total.
