The auction boasted 393 vehicles and a total of $13.2 million in sales within just two days.
Mecum’s annual collector car auction in Chattanooga is always an event that turns heads, but this year, it outdid itself. The 2023 Chattanooga Motorcar Festival was the venue that saw 393 vehicles switch owners in the span of just two days, racking up a mind-blowing $13.2 million in total sales. From luxury imports to vintage classics, the variety of vehicles on offer spoke to the breadth and depth of the collector car market.
Which lots netted the highest prices? Leading the pack was a 2012 Riley Daytona Prototype IMSA Racer, which came with a new 5.0L BMW V-8 engine and a 6-speed manual transmission. Previously part of Michael Shank Racing’s fleet, this speedster commanded an impressive $203,500. Not far behind were two Corvettes—one a vintage 1958 model with modern-day upgrades and the other a nearly brand-new 2023 Z06 3LZ convertible with just 23 miles on it. Both took top-sale slots, showing that whether it’s nostalgia or cutting-edge tech, Corvettes are always in demand.
But let’s not forget the other stars of the show. Vehicles from across the globe drew eyes and wallets, with a 2022 Mercedes-Benz G550 selling for $167,750 and a 2016 Porsche 911 Turbo S fetching $115,500. If you’re into Italian elegance, a 1990 Ferrari Testarossa did not disappoint, hammering at $105,600. These high-profile sales demonstrate that the appetite for collector cars—be they exotic, classic, or modern—is far from waning. The Mecum Chattanooga 2023 collector car auction not only broke records but also highlighted the ongoing dynamism in the high-end auto market. With sales like these, one thing is clear: the collector car world is accelerating, and shows no signs of slowing down.
