Talk about bad timing.
Auto auctions can be chaotic for many people. It’s difficult to describe what it feels like to attend an auto auction if you haven’t been. However, things move fast from beginning to end. This is true for smaller-town used car auctions. But at Mecum’s prominent collector car auctions, the pace is mixed price and passion. These are not generic ex-rental cars that will be sold to used car lots. These vehicles are highly valued enthusiast vehicles that attract emotionally charged sellers and buyers at all points.
The hustle and bustle of life can sometimes make it easy to make a mistake. This 1980 Chevrolet pickup is a beautifully restored and modified 1980 Chevrolet pick-up. These square-body Chevys are now worth a lot more than ever. This one was at Mecum’s Dallas 2021 auction in September. The hood got bent during closing at the auction stand’s staging lane. This is not unusual for these trucks. But, it happened just before the auction stand was set up. Talk about bad luck.
Part of the mystery at this point is trying to figure out how it happened. There are many questions floating around on the internet. As the truck approaches the auction block, the announcer speaks.
This suggests that the seller bent the hood when closing the auction. But, is it allowed for vehicle owners to enter the staging area before the auction? Is it possible that a potential buyer damaged the hood by trying to close it? Did a Mecum employee bend or damage the hood while closing the stage line? This was something we contacted Mecum because having an owner make another’s mistake is definitely worth it. We are still scratching our heads as no one has responded to our messages so far.
It didn’t seem like it would deter buyers from buying higher. Mecum still lists the truck for $31,900. It has a 5.3-liter LSV8 engine underneath and a delicious suspension drop.