Many of us couldn’t wait until the calendar flipped over to 2021, and the team at Mecum Auctions was ready for action right out of the gate. After getting back to business in the back half of 2020, the company kicked off its auction schedule in Kissimmee, Florida, with more than 3,500 vehicles set to cross the block from January 7-16.
“Despite the challenges faced by all in 2020, we’ve gained significant momentum with our live auction events heading into the new year, and we couldn’t be more excited to head down to warm and sunny Florida to kick off 2021 in Kissimmee,” Mecum Consignment Director Frank Mecum said before the event.
While the low-mileage stockers tend to grab the big money and the headlines, we definitely enjoy a nicely modified machine. There were a few clean restomods on the property at Osceola Heritage Park, but this one definitely stood out on the merits of its eye-popping bodywork and Randy Apple Red paint job that resulted from more than 3,000 hours of effort. The beauty is more than sheet metal deep on this one, however. The ’69 ’Stang sports a Coyote swap under the hood backed by a Powertrain Solutions pushbutton 4R70W automatic transmission. It rides on a Mustangs to Fear Mustang II independent front and Heidts Pro-G four-link rear suspension damped by QA1 and Viking coilover shocks.
When it comes to modern performance Mustangs, the street-going versions are the most prevalent. However, Ford Performance created several tuned versions just for competition and some of them are quite rare. Case in point is this 2014 Boss 302S. Available as a Ford Performance part number, this competition-honed machine was built just to run wild on the road course. Number 18 of only 50 created, it is powered by a 440-horsepower RoadRunner 5.0-liter engine that is supported by a TREMEC T6060 six-speed manual transmission and an 8.8-inch rear end with 3.73 gears and a Torsen diff. It features adjustable dampers, big Brembo brakes and is the ultimate expression of the S197-era Boss Mustang.
After a refreshing holiday break, we were certainly ready to see some great cars. As such, we made the quick drive over to Osceola Heritage Park to check out all the cars up for sale. Naturally we tracked down every Mustang we could find, and in the process, chose five of our favorites, which are detailed here. For the rest, you can check out the gallery below.
Speaking of Ford Performance creations, the most notable were the Mustang Cobra Jets, which proved both highly successful in the racing ranks and sought after by collectors. Number 55 of 68 built, this 50th anniversary model is powered by a Whipple-supercharged 5.2-liter Coyote engine howling through Kooks headers. It delivers the power to a four-link rear suspension via a three-speed automatic and 9-inch rear end. This Race Red example — which was part of a large group of pony cars for sale under the Mustang Squadron banner — wears an optional 50th Anniversary graphics and badging package.
If our picks aren’t your favorites, these auctions always have a wide variety of machines up for sale, so you are sure to find several favorites of your own. If you want to get in on the action, Mecum hosts its next full auction from Glendale, Arizona, on March 18-20.
ABOVE: Of course, we couldn’t ignore one of the headlining machines of the entire Mecum Kissimmee auction. Projected to bring in well over $1,000,000 this R-model is 1 of 34 built in that year. With only 4,930 miles on the clock, it was raced by original owner Dick Jordan, who held the title for 21 years. Well maintained and documented by its successive owners, this GT350R was restored using original and NOS parts to maintain the same appearance it sported when it initially raced at Road America in 1965.
ABOVE AND BELOW: We all have our favorite eras, and your scribe grew up during the Fox Mustang years. As such, those machines will always hold a special importance. One of the most coveted machines of that era was the Saleen SSC. One of just 161 examples built in 1989, this one has only logged 22,530 miles in its long life. Featuring a 292-horsepower 5.0-liter engine, a T-5 five-speed manual, and four-wheel disc brakes, it naturally wears Saleen’s signature body kit. It is also equipped with a number of items unique to the SSC option, including those wheels and the rear-seat delete.
