For the uninitiated, a classic car auction can seem a confusing array of fast-paced bidding and auctioneer harangues, plus mysterious tactics by veteran buyers and sellers, sometimes with hundreds of thousands of dollars at stake.
A new reality series, Mecum Dealmakers, premiering Thursday at 10 p.m. (Eastern time) on NBCSN, is designed to take the lid off the auction pressure cooker with behind-the-scenes access to a number of Mecum Auctions’ nationwide sales.
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The atmosphere and high intensity of Mecum Auctions is paralleled by the unique personalities of Dana Mecum and his son Frank.” [/pullquote]
The debut episode focuses on the recent Houston auction and the sale of a 1964 Ford GT40 prototype, purchased by Utah Jazz chief executive Greg Miller for more than $7 million. There also are segments with former Houston Rockets owner Charlie Thomas and pro football tight end Kellen Winslow Jr., who had his eyes set on a 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS.
The series on NBCSN, which also televises Mecum auctions, tells how auction founder and president Dana Mecum and his son, Frank Mecum, coordinate the high-stakes action on the auction floor while managing a business that sells 15,000 collector cars per year.
“The atmosphere and high intensity of Mecum Auctions is paralleled by the unique personalities of Dana Mecum and his son Frank, who balance the tension between buyers and sellers and really bring Mecum Dealmakers to life,” said Ron Wechsler, vice president, Original Programming and Entertainment, NBC Sports Group.
Eleven 60-minute episodes will examine a specific auction, including upcoming Mecum sales in Monterey and Kansas City. The series is to be shown weekly, Thursday nights at 10 p.m.
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