The tenants started calling me in the middle of the night to fix this and that. At one point, someone offered to buy him out. The key to funding for entrepreneurs is to look for strategic capital, not just capital. Magers, a former insurance executive, I said, Hell, we might as well have another auction. There was no business planit was just survival. For 15 years, Mecum soldiered on without making a profit, plowing his earnings from another automobile business into the auction company to keep it afloat. "I wouldnt call it an investment, but its something with tangible value and it brings ego and satisfaction.". Friday marks the start of Dana Mecums 33rd Original Spring Classic Auction. But if you do want a new ride, or a new project, come to Mecum Kissimmee on Thursday, January 2, and youll see some bargains cross the block with either low or no reserve. Kraman hired on with Mecum in 2006 to help Dana take the company to the next level, he said. She was born Sept. 14, 1932, in Monmouth, Illinois, to the late Harry and Winifred Numbers. The Highland Green Ford Mustang GT390 is famously unrestored, bearing the scars from the filming of the legendary car chase in the 1968 film, plus over 40 years of day-to-day use. Nissan Juke. Theyve seen the world and are happy in their marriage. AMC Gremlin. #MecumIndy youtube.com Dana and Patti Mecum Celebrate 25 Years Later in life, I realized how profound that simple statement was. The entire family is strongly invested in the Company. Whats the rarest car youve auctioned? It had been rumored it was here or there or crashed.. Coupled with over-communication and extensive training, we have been able to avoid much of the resistance to change normally experienced in an established organization. (PHOTO: Jason Brant), We get to a lot of business [with our own jet] we wouldnt otherwise get. 4 How much did the Bullitt Mustang sell for at Mecum auction? For Mecum, those investments made many years ago have driven the explosion of the company's success, particularly in recent years. Dana and Patti presently reside in Southeastern Wisconsins Geneva Lakes region. My wife asked me what I was going to do. By clicking Sign Up, you also agree to marketing emails from both Insider and Morning Brew; and you accept Insiders, Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. The selection of cars eight Pontiac GTOs spanning from 1964 to 1970 will cross the auction block at Mecum's Indianapolis sale from July 10 through July 18. The car has belonged to the Kiernan family since the early 1970s when the car was purchased by Robert Kiernan of Madison, New Jersey for just $6,000. The dealers that survived that period turned into sellers at our auctions. Mecum and his wife, Patti, have four sons together and nine grandchildren. So far, we have used it to sell more cars. Porsche Carrera GT. He also edits and writes articles for the IronSet blog where he shares his experiences. Lot F140. by Spencer Johnson many years ago during my career in the financial services sector. Dana Mecum Death - Obituary - Dead - Cause of Death News . Following the death obituary of Danas friend Bill Grams, several websites reported the death of Mecum, the auction house owner. These things have helped him get to where he is now one of the richest people on Earth. You did something unusual in a family-owned business in that you hired an outside CEO. But, some of the purists sniff, so much of what the company markets is comparatively pedestrian stuffChevrolet Camaros, Ford Mustangs, Chevy Corvettes, a variety of, for goodness sake,pickup trucksasopposed to the rarefied air surrounding, say, a Gooding & Company auction populated by Bugattis, Mercedes-Benz Gullwings and the occasional Isotta Fraschini Tipo IM. Maybe in three years or so Id buy one, but that wouldnt be for business. It went for $7700. And theres still another office that deals with transportation. It took Mecum over 15 years without seeing a profit to find success with the auction company. So Robb Larson is moving the lake, fish and frogs and all. For years, I thought it was his way of avoiding having to make a decision. The company, based in Walworth, Wisconsin, is the world leader in the number of collector automobiles presented at auctions, the number of collector cars sold at auctions, and the host of the worlds largest collector car auction, held every year in Florida. WebThe residency of Frank is at 919 Carroll Str, Keokuk, IA 52632-4225. Dana Mecum is an American auctioneer and founder of Mecum Auctions, one of the worlds largest auction companies for collector cars. Dana and Patti currently live in the Geneva Lakes area of Southeastern Wisconsin. Ferrari F40. Dana, a businessman, is married. He always tanks up where fuel is cheap. While touring Mecums temporary office at Osceola Heritage Parkall their offices are temporary, breaking down, moving, then being reconstructed at the next venuetheres a sense that everything has been streamlined to the maximum. Shirley Jean Mecum, 87, of Fontana, WI, passed away on Monday, August 24, 2020, at home due to natural causes. Menu. Houston, 1000. We built a new stage and TV set. Trending. At Mecum Kissimmee, theres something for everybody. Mecum and his wife, Patti, are the parents of four kids. Of course, with tremendous growth comes growing pains. Their new business model was housing their cars in low-cost warehouses and bringing them to public auction. Look out there [at the audience]. He is mainly involved in weightlifting. Mecumwho runs the Wisconsin-based, 300-plus-employee business with his wife, Patti, four sons, and CEO Dave Magersgrew up in the car business. He and the car later featured in Series 18, Episode 7 of the motoring show before his ill-fated tenure at the helm of the show. [Almost all appeared to be over 50.] In addition to the entry fee, Mecum Auction charges a commission for sellers. There have been speculations that he has been battling Cancer, but neither Mecum nor his Company has confirmed this. How has the plane enhanced your bottom line? In the top 10 was a 1930 Duesenbergyes, Mecum does have some true vintage classicsand a 1954 Chrisman Bonneville Hemi Coupewhich, in 1954, ran 196 mph at Bonneville, and was featured on the cover ofHot Rodmagazine. This auction has been an amazing part of Mecums stable for years, said Dave Magers, the CEO of Mecum Auctions, hired away from a top insurance company by Dana Mecum to help shore up the business side of the company. Features The company is still owned by founder and president Dana Mecum, who ran the business with his wife and four sons for decades. Alternatively, you can have a $30,000 car with a $20,000 bid and if every seat is full, the guy will sell. Would you sign his badge? Mecum cheerfully obliges. When provided, we also incorporate private tips and feedback received from the celebrities or their representatives. Here is the full Bio/Wiki of Mecum, his family/ mother/ father/ brother name, age, height in feet, weight, body measurements, interests/hobbies, girlfriends, wife, spouse, cars, property, bikes, address, email, house, hometown, ethnicity, hometown, birthplace, parents, achievements, phone number, school, his Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, earning /income/net worth, birthday, zodiac sign, education, caste, religion, Date Of Birth. Thats a big concern. And evidently, Mecum's fondness for GTOs hasn't faded much over the years. Subaru. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. | 8 steps to mechanically inspect that potential purchase, 5 one-off auctions to watch | 2022 Monterey preview, Buying and selling classics in the days of COVID and beyond, Bid Garage Launches a New Way to Buy and Sell Collector Vehicles. Through perseverance and with a deep passion for the industry, he has since grown the company into a thriving enterprise. Dana and Patti presently reside in Southeastern Wisconsins Geneva Lakes region. John also knows what the future holds for the current Dodge lineup. Currently, Dana When looking for financing, make sure you are clear in your description of your vision, what you intend to accomplish, how you intend to get there, and what the result of your efforts will be. Mecums net worth is primarily generated from his Mecum Auction vehicle auction business. The Dana Mecum net worth and salary figures above have been reported from a number of credible sources and websites. The first few years, I was the only one flying but now my sons are. WebDana Mecum is known for Mecum Dealmakers (2014), Mecum Auto Auctions: Muscle Cars & More (2008) and Chasing Classic Cars (2008). Julia Carey is a TV producer. It's about building something and creating a legacy. And grew. Inside and in adjacent circus tents sit 795 carseverything from a much-coveted 1937 Cord to a much-maligned 1976 Ford Pinto. 2022Recurrent Ventures. According to the man who restored the car and brought it to the 2017 Milwaukee Concours dElegance, it is Dana Mecums favorite racing car. The fact that it is broadcast on TV means its even more important that theyre showing the world they have a good program and theyre enforcing it, Mecum Director of Company Relations and TV Commentator John Kramer told me on the phone. His wifes name isPattiMecum. Im a car guy, but I dont own anything like this.. Mecum and his wife, Patti, have four kids and nine grandchildren. The company is headquartered in Walworth, Wisconsin, and is tops in the world for the number of collector cars offered at auctions, the number of collector cars sold at auctions, and the host of the largest collector car auction, which takes place every year in Florida. He said he had one for me. In 2014, we sold a 1964 Ford GT40 [prototype] for $7 million. The models had scores of 1 out ofumer Reports. In 2009, we sold a 1965 Shelby Daytona Cobra coupe for $7.25 million. Muhammad, thinking on his feet, then noted that it was a good thing God left the mountain where it was, because had it moved, it could have crushed themall. Pay or walk away? This isnt to say that Mecum Kissimmee doesnt have exotics, and it definitely has some bidders with deep pockets to balance out us bottom feeders. So a lot of mind games go on. And the worst thing is to be ready to close a deal with a customer and have to say, Sorry, I have to leave to catch my plane.. That car, had he not owned it, would have been worth $350,000. So I had these 40 and 15 of my own and decided to have an auction. Mecum, Take a closer look at the cars below. Of course, Mecum Kissimmee also has plenty of showcase vehicles, but most might still be considered less sophisticated than, for example, the 1951 Maserati A6G/2000 Spider that Bonhams sold at Scottsdale for $2,755,000 last January. Were really a family Even if the guy you take with you knows nothing about cars, it helps to have someone who is on your side and you can talk to. They welcome adversity and challenge. Subscribe to us to get the latest updates About Dana! We built and launched a new website. I can leave home in the morning, call on a piece of business, and be home for dinner, a trip that used to take three days on the airlines. Finance companies simply want to sell their vehicles at a reasonable price and be done with it. Every time the prices go up, what is considered investment grade gets thinner. The Ultra couldnt make trips to the West Coast without stopping for fuel. About 19 or 20 years ago, Mecum purchased the 1934 Gilmore Special, a racing car built by Myron Stevens for Art Sparks and Paul Weirick. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Second Ferrari on the list already. If they are, its easier to get them to a decision. After all, getting into car and taking a drive is a highly-recommended break from the real world right now. The entrepreneur is alive and well. Dana Mecum is not available on any social media platforms to date. When they took the reserve off, Lewis played Great Balls of Fire for the crowd and it sold for $350,000. What are your favorite cars in your personal collection? | Dana has eight known connections and has the most companies in common with David Magers. His wifes name is Patti Mecum. Magerswho, incidentally, drives a Dodge Hellcat Challenger-believes that Mecums simple formula of offering cars that sell for low-four-figures to well into the millions appeals to everyone who likes interesting cars. Back in 2008 former Top Gear host Chris Evans bought the car for 5.6 million. Before the pandemic, absentee bidding was less than 10%, and its currently averaging 20-30%. A blend of contemporary rock music and oldies is blaring through the speakers, television cameras are in place, and Mecums traveling army of 200 workersincluding a blue-shirted operations team and a black-shirted block teamare attending to final preparations. Did Steve McQueen drive the car in bullet? Unlike her ever-popular other half, Julia avoids the internet and social media; nothing is known about her life outside her marriage. Altogether in 2017, Mecum will handle some 20,000 consignments, including 14,000 cars, and generate revenues in excess of $400 million. Mecum Auctions also boasts the most auction locations in the United States and the biggest volume of sales of any car auction company in the United States. This address is also associated with the name of Ashley L Jones, David E Lorentzen, and four other individuals. Mecum in recent years has also branched out into motorcycles, collectible farm tractors, and road art, the former two driving their own events.