Mecum Auctions sets GPS to Schaumburg

Whether you're in the mood to purchase your dream ride, check out some intense bidding or just see a sea of gleaming show machines, there's no better place to be than at the Schaumburg Convention Center next weekend when the Mecum Auction rolls back into town.

With a docket of more than 1,000 vehicles slated to cross the auction block, we scoured the offerings and rounded up some highlights we'll be keeping our eyes on.

1970 Dodge Challenger TA

This 1970 Dodge Challenger TA hasn't traveled far after being ordered new at Mr. Norm's Grand Spaulding Dodge. It still resides with a Chicago owner and packs a potent 340 Six Pack V-8, a heavy duty 4-speed transmission, fiberglass fresh air hood, power front disc brakes, heavy-duty shocks and springs, and chromed megaphone side exhaust. Its extensive documentation includes the new car order form, dealer order checklist, deposit receipt, bill of sale, two-page shipper, IBM card, deal jacket, license plate envelope and inventory card. The car even bears Norm Krause's autograph on the dashboard praising its eye-popping Banana Yellow paint.

1967 Chevrolet COPO Corvette

The Central Office Production Order - or COPO - was employed by Chevrolet executives and select dealers to authorize the fitting of special features or components to factory-production vehicles. In addition to their wide use in ordering trucks, buses, taxis and other special-use or fleet vehicles, COPOs were written to cover unique modifications to factory-built Chevrolets, including high-performance drivetrains and, in limited cases, special order paint and interior combinations. This 'Vette is the only 1967 Silver-on-Red 327-cubic-inch, 300 horsepower COPO Corvette known to exist and is unrestored. It was originally shipped to Hamburg, New York, and, after spending time with three different owners, has accumulated 36,850 miles on the odometer.

1970 Buick GS Stage 1

In 1969, this 1970 Buick GS Stage 1 toured manufacturers' auto shows across the country by Buick's Shows, Displays and Exhibits division. The car featured almost every "must have" option available, including the Rallye Ride Control Package, chromed wheels, tilt steering wheel, power windows, Soft-Ray tinted windshield and Rallye steering wheel. It's painted in luminous Fireglow pearlescent paint, which was never a production color. Usually such vehicles would be crushed after completing their rounds, but Len Immke Buick of Columbus, Ohio, rescued this beauty with the understanding that it was never to be sold. That happened "accidentally" while Immke was away on business. The vehicle served drag strip and street duties until 1978, when it was decommissioned from regular use. In 2003 it underwent a full two-year restoration and still retains its original sheet metal.

1970 Dodge Hemi Challenger R/T SE

This B5 Bright Blue Metallic Challenger is one of 59 Challengers produced for 1970 with both R/T and SE packages backed by Hemi power. The R/T model offered a dual scoop hood, body striping, 15-inch Rallye wheels, and Rallye instruments with 150-mph speedometer, 8,000-rpm tach and an oil pressure gauge. The luxury-oriented SE package brought a vinyl roof and smaller rear window, an overhead interior console and leather bucket seats. Other highlights on this Mopar muscle machine include power windows and brakes, a six-way adjustable driver's seat and the original fender tag and build sheet.