Mecum rolls back into Schaumburg
Mecum Auctions is back in town, hosting its annual Chicago event. It'll take place at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center beginning Thursday afternoon and running through Saturday. An estimated 1,000 collector and vintage vehicles will cross the block.
That's a lot of cars, but I've rounded up a select bunch I'll be keeping my eyes on. They are each unique in their own right and surefire standouts.
1989 Toyota Soarer Aerocabin
Many cool cars get made just for the Japanese market. Thankfully, they can be legally imported after 25 years and boy, are they scooped up fast. That's what makes rides like this 1989 Toyota Soarer uncommon.
Sure, at first glance it appears understated and subdued. Yet for those in the know, it gets mad street cred. The car's platform is shared with the Supra and power comes from a turbocharged, 3.0-liter engine. It's also right-hand drive and because it's an Aerocabin, it packs a trick folding metal roof. Better yet - it's one of just 500 made.
2004 Acura NSX-T
Acura's NSX has always been impressive. It consistently backs up its stunning looks with exotic sports car performance. That alone would make this 2004 example attractive to collectors. It's a beautiful California car and has just over 3,500 miles on the odometer.
It is one of a few painted in Rio Yellow. While NSX production stopped in 2005, Acura is revamping and relaunching the NSX for 2017. That'll give this already famed model a burst of renewed interest - a fantastic thing for owners of earlier versions.
1975 Chevrolet Cosworth Vega
Don't assume the late 1970s were totally devoid of tuned and modified factory vehicles. As time marches on, interest is turning to spotlight examples like this 1975 Chevrolet Cosworth Vega. It's one of two crossing the block.
This one's odometer shows 56,000 miles. Underhood is an all-aluminum, four-cylinder engine tuned by British motorsports group Cosworth Engineering. Despite early production challenges, Chevy made just over 3,500 of these vehicles during its two-year run.
These hot hatches aren't super well-known - yet. With their peculiar origins and attainable values, they should be real soon.
1987 Buick GNX
Car crazy kids in the 1980s were drooling over one big, bad street machine - the Buick Grand National. They had good reason; the cars were straight-up sinister. All came painted jet-black and packed a tire-smoking turbocharged V-6 engine. It smashed the notion of your grandparents' stodgy Buick.
Now that those salivating youngsters are grown and making real bucks, they're ready to buy those childhood dreams. This 1987 example is one of four available at the auction. You can bet all those reminiscing buyers will take notice.
1957 Buick Caballero
People like station wagons. Long before SUVs and minivans, that's how families got around. As such, many have fond memories of road trips and around-town errands. But all wagons weren't created equal. A showstopper like this 1957 Buick Caballero is a rare sight. No flat sides here, only swoopy, beautiful styling. This head-turner has a 350-cubic-inch GM V-8, automatic transmission, power steering and disc brakes. It all makes a perfect recipe for reliving and creating good ol' motoring times.
1967 Ford F100
Just like wagons, pickups are another growing segment among enthusiasts. They're humble, straightforward and simple. Because they can do a lot, people who used trucks have a lot of memories connected to them. That means that fine examples like this gorgeous 1967 Ford F100 are now commanding attention.
This one has had a frame-off restoration and packs the 390-cubic-inch V-8 with an automatic transmission. Its no-nonsense manners make it attractive, but its striking colors will make it near impossible to pass up.
Share your car's story with Matt at auto@dailyherald.com.