Classic cars go to auction in St. Charles

Bidding starts Thursday on hundreds of vintage automobiles up for auction at Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles.

The Marengo-based Mecum auction company is having a four-day sale of classic and muscle cars - some expected to fetch as much as $1 million.

"The great thing about it is we have kind of something for everyone," said Tom Christmann, Mecum marketing manager. "While it's a great car auction, it's also a great car show."

The auction opens at 8 a.m. Thursday and continues through Sunday afternoon at the resort on the 4000 block of East Main Street. About 750 vehicles are expected.

Christmann said this year's main attraction is a 1969 AMC AMX-400 Coupe that is believed to be the last built by Chicagoan George Barris, a well-known car customizer who also will be on hand Friday and Saturday to sign autographs.

There also is a "drop-dead gorgeous" pair of red 1967 Corvettes from the Ron "Stormy" Nordstrom Collection, among others, Christmann said.

"It's not every day that you can go see these incredible cars, get up close and take a look at them," he said.

Organizers expect more than 5,000 visitors, including both serious bidders and good old-fashioned dreamers. Christmann said prices range from a few thousand dollars to upward of $1 million.

Earlier this year, he said, Mecum broke the world record for the most expensive American car sold at auction with the sale of a 1965 Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe in Monterey, Calif., for a whopping $7.4 million.

Christmann said that while collector car prices are down some 20 to 30 percent due to the economy, they remain a solid investment.

"Nobody's panic selling," he said. "Collector cars have always performed well no matter what the economy does."

Admission to the auction is $10. Potential bidders can register on site.

For a full schedule and inventory, visit mecum.com.