DAVENPORT – Collector cars aren’t the only objects Mecum Auctions has offered up for bidding in recent weeks as it returned to live if socially distanced sales. Mecum’s Gone Farmin’ division staged its Fall Premier auction recently in Davenport, Iowa, and reports nearly $3.6 million in sales with a 90 percent sell-through rate.
That despite last-minute changes in Iowa’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.
“Due to restrictions announced by the governor of Iowa within 24 hours of the auction’s slated start time, the Gone Farmin’ team was forced to make a sudden transition, taking what was planned as a live-auction event and turning it into a live-online auction just hours before the first item crossed the block,” Mecum said.
Despite the late alternation in plans, the sale, featuring vintage tractors, trucks and a variety of farm-related “Road Art,” posted strong results.
The top overall sale was the $68,200 paid for a 1958 Chevrolet Apache 32 NAPCO 4-wheel-drive pickup truck. Next came the top-selling tractor, a Minneapolis 22-44 that brought $59,850. Leading the Road Art offerings was a John Deer Farm Implements double-sided porcelain sign that sold for $17,700.
Consignments to the sale included those from 13 private collections.
Top-10 sales, Mecum Gone Farmin’ Fall Premier 2020:
- 1958 Chevrolet Apache 32 NAPCO Pickup, $68,200
- Minneapolis 22-44, $59,850
- 1972 Chevrolet K-10, $52,800
- 1988 Mack DS 600, $47,300
- 1973 International 1066 4WD, $43,050
- 1976 John Deere 4230,$43,050
- 1977 John Deere 4430, $40,950
- 1973 John Deere 4030, $39,900
- 1967 International 1206 FWD, $38,850
- 1970 International 1026 Gold Demonstrator, $37,800