Interesting cars at Mecum Indy 2026. I think this is their second biggest sale behind Kissimmee. Dana Mecum is a fan of prewar cars so you will see a mix besides the musclecars and late model stuff. I'm a fan of many different cars 1900 to 1980. Not so much after that. Here are a few I really liked.
I owned this exact car except a 69 instead of 70 and mine was a CJ not an SCJ. The 428SCJ engine designed to not blow up on the drag strip . The "drag pack" option with the SCJ was a simple as ordering a 3.90 and above rear ratio. Of course, that made the car undrivable on the highway.
A SCJ four speed convertible is a SUPER rare thing. They made 3.
Factory 428 SCJ Drag Pack Convertible, 1 of only 7 produced
Of those 7, only 3 were produced with the 4-speed manual transmission
Apex award winner at the 2025 Boss Nationals
Fall 2025 SAAC Gold Certified with judging sheets
Invitational display vehicle at the 2025 MCACN show
Comprehensive detail after initial restoration by Ed Meyer
Deluxe Marti report
Factory invoice
Factory warranty card
Build sheet
428 CI Cobra Jet V-8 engine
Wide ratio 4-speed manual transmission
Drag Pack with 3.91 Traction-Lok
Rare Ram Air induction
Sold new at Axtell Ford in Newton, Iowa
https://www.mecum.com/lots/1167900/1970-mercury-cougar-xr-7-convertible/
If I could have one car from the sale it would be this. A factory AMX SS car. Cragars came with it.
Super Stock AMX no. 13, identified by sequential VIN and registry listing
Sold new at Harry and Carl’s in Cincinnati, Ohio
1 of the 52 AMX Super Stocks produced and this one was never sponsored by a dealer or raced
Odometer reads 218 miles, with the first 175 miles driven by the original owner from Ohio to Indiana
Still retains all Hurst-installed race components
https://www.mecum.com/lots/1166394/1969-amc-amx-super-stock/
@alsancle That is very cool! Did not know they made them.
@mparadise Neither did I!!!
@alsancle Kid I grew up with had a 69 390 four speed in white. The issue was 2 passeger which was fine if you had a girlfriend but not so fine otherwise.
@mparadise As cool as that Cougar is and in my wheelhouse I want this car.
I love Gold Bugs and this is the precursor.
The earliest known Kissel Speedster
Meticulous concours-level restoration by David George II of D.L. George Historic Motorcars
Formerly part of the world-renowned Bill Harrah Collection
Manufactured prior to the adoption of the "Gold Bug" moniker
Heritage Award winner at The Elegance at Hershey in 2017
Featured at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance in 2018
Documented history dating back to the 1950s
https://www.mecum.com/lots/1171688/1919-kissel-model-6-45-speedster/
@alsancle When did they change the name to Gold Bug? 24?
@BillSmith "Gold Bug" was never and offical name for the Kissel Speedster but it stuck with a lot of people. Speedsters were made between 1919 and 1929 approx.
This is basically the same body that is on my Stearns. I like all Dietrich bodied cars and I think fixing the wheels could make this a great car.
Purported to be 1 of 8 built by Dietrich coachbuilders
Concours restoration by noted marque restorer Ken Kenewell
Shown at Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 1999
CCCA Senior Premier award no. 133
Featured in "The Classic Era" by Beverly Rae Kimes
AACA Grand National First Prize winner
https://www.mecum.com/lots/1171687/1929-lincoln-model-l-dietrich-convertible-victoria/
@alsancle It looks like the twin to your Stearns.
Again with a Dietrich Lincoln. I see potential with this car. Wheels and tires to black.
1 of only 580 Coupe Roadsters bodied by coachbuilder Dietrich Inc.
Lincoln 385 CI V-8 engine
Manual transmission
Production no. 47014, body no. 11-2844 and production date of 10/21/1927
The Henry Ford Record
https://www.mecum.com/lots/1172611/1928-lincoln-165-dietrich-coupe-roadster/
I saw a cougar today that had ram air and was claimed to be a K-code 289. But did they even build any of those? I should have gotten a photo of whatever documentation was on the windshield but didn’t think to at the time.
@Hupp31 You could still get the "K" engine in 67 I think. At least they put it in the GT350 Shelby. Not sure about the Cougar. I'm sure there was no ram air hood in 67.
@alsancle NOT available in the Cougar. It was available in the Mustang but not very many built. 500 total.
@BLK-10001 That’s what I thought. Seems like someone pulled a fast one with that car.
Another one I really like is this V12 cadillac. 32 is a great year because you get the mechanical fuel pumps, better carbs and swoopy fenders.
https://www.mecum.com/lots/1173082/1932-cadillac-series-370-b-v-12-convertible-coupe/
1 of 1,709 12-cylinder Cadillacs built in 1932
Previously from The Thomas Young Collection
368 CI OHV V-12 engine
Twin updraft single-throat carburetors
3-speed manual transmission
Coachwork by Fisher
@alsancle Don't forget they raked the windshield back too. This is a great car. Wish someone would buy it for me. 32-35 were great years for GM styling under Harley Earl.
@alsancle I'm sure you know this but many of the Cougar guys prefer the nose on the 69 over the 70. Cleaner lines. However, this is a very special car and I could look past that!
That Cougar is a very very special car. The SCJ cars were not rated any higher, just better rods, oil cooler, etc but they were designed to not blow up at 5k plus like a CJ which would throw a rod between shifts.