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Restomod And Classic Corvettes Drive The Mecum Story At Nashville’s Inaugural Big-Tent Event

The line between performance-driven personalization and Corvette purity has never been more intriguing, as world-class Restomods can now stand proudly beside untouched survivors and restored classics under the NCRS banner. Nashville’s inaugural auction gave us another fascinating snapshot of where today’s Corvette market is headed

Our top Restomod is a must see! Photo Credit: Mecum

With Barrett-Jackson, the king of no-reserve big-tent auctions, recently closing out their 2026 season at Las Vegas, the Restomod Corvette versus Classic Mid-Year intrigue swings squarely toward Mecum. And remarkably, after wrapping up its inaugural Nashville extravaganza, Mecum still has four more events on the calendar before it calls the 2026 season complete. That will bring Mecum’s annual auction total to a staggering thirteen events, compared with just four on Barrett-Jackson’s 2026 docket, and that difference alone tells you just how important Mecum has become to our hobby. When Dana Mecum opened the doors to his first auction back in 1988, we’d be willing to bet nobody could have imagined where this wild ride would eventually lead—especially when it comes to Corvettes. Today, Mecum has become a global Corvette auction juggernaut, with 2026 seeing 1,084 Corvettes offered to enthusiasts worldwide and 772 hammering off to new owners. That’s quite a leap from their 1988 beginning.

The Mecum Story: A Road From Ruin To Collector-Car Royalty

Before building this premier auction empire, founder Dana Mecum spent decades gaining deep business insight through his family’s long history of operating new car dealerships. Leveraging this background, he organized his very first collector car auction in 1988 at Rockford Airport in Illinois, only to be hit immediately by a disastrous storm with 90 mph winds that left the venue in ruins and the young company deep in debt. Refusing to concede defeat, Mecum entered a grueling 14-year survival mode in which the business failed to turn a profit and stayed afloat only through funds from separate automotive ventures. This perseverance ultimately paved the way for an incredible ascent; by pioneering high-volume muscle car auctions and expanding into live-streamed digital bidding, Mecum Auctions became what our exclusive tracker below illustrates—with its single flagship Kissimmee event alone capable of generating a staggering $450 million in sales.

If you’ve never been, put Kissimmee on your bucket list! Photo Credit: positivelyosceola.com

The Corvette Inventory Paradox: Fewer Cars, More Buyers

But not so quickly on all things being rosy in Mecum-land. While Mecum’s sell-through rates are up across the majority of venues since our expanded tracker began in 2024, Corvette inventory is still down at every single venue during the same time period. The team at CorvSport has various theories: perhaps the growing convenience and volume of online auction giants like Bring a Trailer are siphoning off cars that once would have traveled to a live Mecum event; maybe putting a Corvette through a major live auction requires a greater commitment from sellers, from transporting the car to the venue to making the logistical arrangements surrounding the sale; or perhaps, quite simply, owners are holding tighter to their beloved Corvettes because replacing them has become increasingly expensive.

It could be one of those factors, a combination of all three, or something else entirely—but the numbers themselves are hard to ignore. At Kissimmee and Indy, for example, our tracker shows Corvette inventory down 27.8%, representing 239 fewer Corvettes, even as 9 of 12 Mecum venues have improved their sell-through rates. In short, Mecum may be bringing fewer Corvettes to the party, but the ones making it through the doors are finding buyers at an increasingly impressive clip. How will Nashville stack up?

The Polarizing Restomod Versus Unmolested Classics Debate

What started as a cardinal sin in the collector car world has completely redefined the hobby, turning once-shunned custom builds into six-figure treasures. For decades, the National Corvette Restorers Society (NCRS) and its purist followers fiercely protected factory-original assembly marks and matching-number engines, dismissing early modified cars as crude hack-jobs. But a cultural shift was inevitable. As enthusiasts grew tired of wrestling with temperamental carburetors, manual steering, and weak vintage brakes during weekend cruises, a new breed of master builders stepped in. They elevated the craft by marrying timeless mid-century body lines with modern supercar performance and sophisticated engineering. Today, the old stigma has vanished, replaced by aggressive bidding wars at Mecum and Barrett-Jackson, where the demand for world-class craftsmanship under classic fiberglass has become a premier market powerhouse.

The Jeff Hayes Effect: When Tired Classics Became Rolling Masterpieces

Much of this explosive financial evolution traces back to a single visionary: Bloomington, Indiana’s Jeff Hayes. By pioneering a strict blueprint—fusing immaculate C2 donor bodies with Art Morrison sport chassis, LS3 Hot Cam V8s, and bespoke luxury interiors—Jeff Hayes Customs established a new luxury standard for the entire industry. This “Jeff Hayes Effect” transformed the market from a fringe trend into a block-busting spectacle, reaching a fever pitch when his Vintage Champagne ’67 crossed the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale block in 2024 for a jaw-dropping $1.1 million. This relentless drive for perfection eventually forced the highest court of Corvette purism to adapt. In a historic olive branch, the NCRS launched its Open Class Judging program, creating a dedicated division that scores Restomods on operational excellence, build quality, and engineering completeness rather than factory-correct paint marks and other stringent requirements. High-caliber custom builds can now proudly claim official NCRS accolades alongside untouched survivors and restored, unmolested classics, bringing the Corvette community full circle.

The 1967 Restomod that reset expectations.

CorvSport’s Nashville Coverage Begins

And that brings us to today’s Mecum Corvette market story, where the numbers get even more interesting once we move beyond big-picture trends and dig into what actually happened on the auction floor. Our exclusive CorvSport tracker shows inventory and sell-through trends; then we move inside the action with the intrigue and highlight the Top 3 Restomod sales versus the Top 3 Mid-Year sales, plus the overall Top Sale from our inaugural Nashville action. We’ll also spotlight the other side of the coin with our Top Dud, and because every great Corvette hunt needs to end with someone finding the sweet spot, we’ll close out the numbers with our Top Deal. So buckle up—the Mecum Corvette marketplace may have fewer cars in the pipeline, but there is certainly no shortage of stories hiding behind those auction results.

CorvSport’s Comprehensive Mecum Tracker

♦ Kissimmee

♦ Glendale

♦ Houston

♦ Indy

  • Indy 2024: 332 Corvettes offered–232 sold (70%)
  • Indy 2025: 267 Corvettes offered–199 sold (75%)
  • Indy 2026: 219 Corvettes offered–146 sold (67%)

♦ Tulsa

  • Tulsa 2024: 56 Corvettes offered–45 sold (80%)
  • Tulsa 2025: 35 Corvettes offered–30 sold (86%)
  • Tulsa 2026: 37 Corvettes offered–31 sold (84%)

♦ Florida Summer Special

♦ Harrisburg

♦ Monterey

♦ Nashville

♦ Dallas

  • Dallas 2024: 148 Corvettes offered–105 sold (71%)
  • Dallas 2025: 129 Corvettes offered–98 sold (76%)
  • Dallas 2026: Scheduled for October 21-24

♦ Indy Fall Special

♦ Las Vegas

  • Las Vegas 2024: 43 Corvettes offered–30 sold (70% )
  • Las Vegas 2025: 30 Corvettes offered–22 sold (73%)
  • Las Vegas 2026: Scheduled for November 12-14

♦ Kansas City

♦ TOTALS:

  • 2024: 1,701 Corvettes offered with 70.2% sell-through (1,194)
  • 2025: 1,429 Corvettes offered with 74.9% sell-through (1,071)
  • 2026 Running Total: 1,084 Corvettes offered—71.2% sold (772)

This market feature is free, and you can enjoy an ad-free experience, get exclusive content, and support CorvSport for only $2.92/month!

Mecum Nashville 2026: The Top 3 Restomod Sales

3 — 1964 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe

Hammer Price: $162,250

♦ Key Listing Details:

  • Professional custom build
  • 6.2L LS3 V-8 engine
  • Holley Sniper fuel injection
  • Automatic transmission
  • Power steering
  • Wilwood 4-wheel power disc brakes
  • Custom leather interior
  • Carbon fiber interior accents
  • Pushbutton start
  • Jensen stereo with central control pod
  • Air conditioning, Power windows

♦ The Full Mecum Listing

2 — 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Custom Split Window Coupe

Hammer Price: $220,000

♦ Key Listing Details:

  • Built by Legacy Innovations, LLC in York, Pennsylvania
  • Debuted at the SEMA show
  • Supercharged 638 HP ZR1 LS9 engine
  • Custom stainless steel headers, Stainless side pipes
  • Tranzilla T-56 6-speed manual transmission
  • Legacy Innovations TIG-welded tube chassis
  • Detroit Speed rack and pinion, Ididit steering column
  • Detroit Speed Quadralink rear suspension
  • 9-inch Ford rear end with Strange S-Trac aluminum 3.73 ratio Positraction unit
  • Wilwood 4-wheel discs with engraved calipers
  • Redline Mickey Thompson SR Radial tires, Billet Specialties beadlock wheels
  • 1063 knock-off cones and spinners
  • Custom reverse-opening carbon fiber hood
  • Custom leather interior with 1967 headrests
  • Ceramic coated
  • Air conditioning, Hidden custom stereo, Power windows, Power locks with remote
  • Estimated over $300,000 invested

♦ The Full Mecum Listing

1 — 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Custom Split Window Coupe

Hammer Price: $286,000

♦ Key Listing Details:

  • Restored by Corvettes Reimagined in Charleston, South Carolina
  • New GM Performance 6.2L/525 HP LS3 V-8 crate engine
  • New GM Performance 6L80E automatic transmission with PCS pushbutton shifter module
  • GM Performance control pack and Holley mid-mount front accessory drive kit
  • American AutoWire wiring harness
  • Coffman Corvette C2 chassis, RideTech single adjustable coilovers
  • Wilwood 15-inch 6-piston big brake kit
  • Custom Diamondback Redline tires
  • Professional paint by Matthew Smith with Dynamic Corvette engine and firewall panels
  • Detroit Speed electric headlight kit
  • Custom interior by Al Knoch of El Paso, Texas, Vintage Air system
  • Ididit steering column with Billet Specialties leather steering wheel
  • Classic Instruments gauge cluster and clock, Retro Manufacturing audio system
  • Parts supplied by Keen Parts

♦ The Full Mecum Listing

The Top 3 Mid-Year Sales

3 — 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Coupe

Hammer Price: $143,000

♦ Key Listing Details:

  • Highly original condition
  • Bloomington Gold Survivor Award
  • NCRS 3-Star award for Corvette Preservation Excellence at the Hershey, Pennsylvania meet in 2003
  • 2 NCRS Top Flight Awards
  • Matching-numbers 327/300 HP V-8 engine
  • Powerglide automatic transmission
  • Power steering, Power brakes, Power windows
  • Signal-seeking AM radio
  • Spinner wheel covers, Whitewall tires
  • Original warranty booklet, Original owner’s manual, Copy of car invoice

♦ The Full Mecum Listing

2 — 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Coupe

Hammer Price: $198,000

♦ Key Listing Details:

  • Odometer reads 65,394 miles
  • Matching numbers L84 fuel-injected 327/360 HP V-8 engine
  • 4-speed manual transmission
  • Knock off wheels
  • AM/FM radio, Bucket seats
  • One-year-only cookie tin hood
  • Spare wheel and tire, jack and tire iron, SAE book
  • 1963 was the first year of the C2 Corvette and the only year with the split rear window

♦ The Full Mecum Listing

1 — 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Coupe

Hammer Price: $214,500

♦ Key Listing Details:

  • Fuel-injected 327 CI V-8 engine
  • 3782870 block casting number
  • Suffix stamp F1120RE, Flint November 20 360 HP block date K22 = December 2, 1962
  • 7017375 Rochester fuel injection, Points ignition, Deep groove pulley with idler
  • Ramhorn exhaust manifolds with duals, Corvette script valve covers
  • Correct-style air cleaner assembly
  • T-10 4-speed manual transmission, Original shifter
  • Sebring Silver exterior, Black interior
  • AM/FM radio, Seatbelts, 6500-RPM tachometer
  • 421 bellhousing, Harrison radiator
  • Positraction, 3.70 gears, Power drum brakes
  • Spinner wheel covers, 6.70×15-inch bias-ply White stripe tires

♦ The Full Mecum Listing

The Top Sale

2027 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X 3LZ Coupe

Hammer Price: $396,000

♦ Key Listing Details:

  • 8 miles
  • 3LZ trim, ZR1X carbon fiber aero, ZTK Performance Track Package
  • E-AWD system
  • Twin-turbocharged 5.5L/1,250 HP hybrid V-8 engine
  • Engine appearance package
  • 8-speed dual clutch automatic transmission
  • Black exterior with Edge Blue full-length dual racing stripes
  • Santorini Blue interior
  • Memory package, Heated carbon fiber steering wheel, Heated and ventilated power bucket seats
  • Infotainment system with Google built-in, Bose Performance Series 14 speaker audio system
  • Dual-zone air conditioning, Power windows, locks and mirrors, Universal home remote
  • Head-up display, Performance data and video recorder, Remote vehicle start
  • Carbon fiber interior trim, Carbon fiber outside mirror caps
  • Carbon Flash Metallic-painted outside mirrors, Carbon fiber split window painted body color
  • Battery protection package
  • Front lift system, Strut tower brace
  • ZTK performance suspension, Magnetic selective ride control
  • Carbon ceramic brakes with 10-piston front and 6-piston rear calipers
  • 20-spoke Edge Blue forged aluminum wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires
  • Please note that due to a manufacturer-imposed resale restriction, this vehicle will not be offered with a factory warranty

♦ The Full Mecum Listing

The Top Dud

2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X Stars & Steel Edition Coupe

Bid To: $450,000

♦ Key Listing Details:

  • One-year-only design commemorating America’s 250th anniversary celebration
  • 1 of 4 ZR1X Stars & Steel Editions painted Arctic White
  • 1 of 25 ZR1X Stars & Steel Editions produced
  • 1 of 270 ZR1X models produced for 2026
  • ZR1X carbon fiber aero package
  • ZTK track performance package
  • All-wheel drive
  • Twin-turbocharged 5.5L/1,250 HP hybrid V-8 engine paired with front axle electric motor
  • 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission
  • Targa top, Santorini Blue leather interior, Bucket seats
  • Bose stereo, Wireless Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, Navigation
  • Power windows, locks and mirrors, Cruise control
  • Rare suede trunk liner
  • Carbon ceramic brakes
  • Rare carbon fiber wheels
  • Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R tires
  • Factory-rated 0-60 MPH time of 1.68 seconds (prepped track)
  • Factory-rated quarter-mile time of 8.675 seconds at 159 MPH (prepped track)
  • Full Xpel PPF film, all painted and carbon fiber on the body has been covered
  • Custom Edge Red-painted X’s on side of vehicle painted to match factory calipers
  • Edge Red Corvette script installed on rear from GM
  • Please note that due to a manufacturer-imposed resale restriction, this vehicle will not be offered with a factory warranty

♦ The Full Mecum Listing

The Top Deal

1980 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe

Hammer Price: $7,700

♦ Key Listing Details:

  • Odometer reads 78,107 miles
  • Summit Racing 350 CI Chevrolet long-block V-8 engine installed at 65,118 miles
  • Automatic transmission
  • Power steering, Power disc brakes
  • Rally wheels
  • White exterior finish, T-Tops
  • Oyster interior, Bucket seats, Leather-wrapped steering wheel
  • Air conditioning, Power windows and door locks
  • 2010-2011 mechanical refurbishment included replacement motor mounts, starter, headers, water pump, clutch fan, air conditioner evaporator and blower motor
  • Braking and drivetrain work included replacement brakes, brake lines, master cylinder and rear leaf spring, along with a rebuilt rear end
  • Additional 2010-2011 work included replacement power door lock harnesses, tachometer circuit board, T-Top and door seals, body emblems, carpet, seat covers and seat foam, along with a repaint

♦ The Full Mecum Listing

How about that onslaught of Split-Window Coupes across both the Restomod and Classic segments?! Thanks for joining us today for Mecum’s journey into Nashville. The CorvSport team appreciates having you with us on this Corvette trip around our hobby. Please join us on Facebook to let us know your thoughts about the Mecum market and these remarkable Corvettes!

*All images and vehicle information are fully credited to Mecum Auctions

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