Mecum’s Kissimmee 2026 auction is already shaping up to be one of the most significant in the event’s history, with three centerpiece cars—each historically important in its own right—set to cross the block on Saturday, January 17. The trio spans European motorsport royalty, factory-backed American muscle, and one of the most influential dealer-tuned performance cars of the 1960s.
1962 Ferrari 250 GTO “Bianco Speciale” – Chassis 3729GT
Lot S204 – Saturday, January 17
The star of the auction is a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, widely regarded as the most coveted model in the marque’s history. Chassis 3729GT is the only GTO originally finished in Bianco and carries a racing résumé that places it alongside the era’s most successful privateer entries.
Delivered new to British team owner John Coombs, the car—nicknamed Bianco Speciale—was driven by a roster of elite talent, including Graham Hill, Jack Sears, Mike Parkes, Roy Salvadori, and Richie Ginther. Its early competition record includes multiple second-place overall finishes at Goodwood during rounds of the FIA International Championship for GT Manufacturers, as well as a class victory at the 1963 Guards Trophy.
Unusually, Ferrari permitted the GTO to be loaned to Jaguar’s competition department in 1962 for aerodynamic and performance benchmarking. Jaguar concluded privately that the GTO outperformed the E-Type in nearly every test.
The car later spent nearly three decades in the ownership of Jack Sears before joining the Jon Shirley Collection in 1999, where it was refinished in its factory Bianco and campaigned in concours and anniversary events worldwide. Offered with its Ferrari Classiche Red Book, the car is also invited to appear at the 2026 Cavallino Classic.
1971 Plymouth Hemi Cuda Convertible – 1 of 5 Automatics
Lot S190 – Saturday, January 17
Among American muscle cars, few are more revered than the 1971 Hemi Cuda Convertible, and this example is the first of only five built for the model year with an automatic transmission—the final year of Hemi production.
Finished in Sno White with a black interior, the car was constructed in September 1970 and underwent a detailed restoration in 2003 by Restorations by Julius, one of the most respected names in Mopar authenticity. Power comes from the 426/425-hp Hemi V-8 paired with a TorqueFlite automatic and a 3.55 Sure Grip differential. Equipment includes a Shaker hood, hood pins, power steering and brakes, a power-operated top, and color-matched wheels.
Documentation includes a partial broadcast sheet, 1977 Kansas title copy, period photos, and an updated Dave Wise report. With its combination of rarity, provenance, and careful restoration, it stands as one of the most significant Mopar convertibles to appear at auction in years.
1969 Chevrolet Yenko Camaro Prototype – The First Pilot Car
Lot S109 – Saturday, January 17
Rounding out the headline trio is the first 1969 Yenko Camaro prototype, a car built as a pilot test vehicle for Don Yenko’s COPO muscle-car program. One of 201 Yenko Camaros produced for 1969, this example remains unusually intact, still carrying its original L72 427/425-hp V-8, BE rear axle, interior, trim tag, and body.
Finished in rare Olympic Gold, it is one of only 10 Yenko Camaros painted this color and is the only known example documented with Atlas wheels installed by the dealership. The car gained national attention early in its life when drag racer Ed Hedrick piloted it for a feature in Super Stock and Drag Illustrated. On slicks with open headers, Hedrick recorded a best quarter-mile time of 11.94 seconds at 114 mph, performance that helped cement Yenko’s reputation.
The car was purchased from its original owner in 1987 by collector Cliff Ernst, who later commissioned a comprehensive restoration. It comes with original paperwork, racing photos, period magazine features, and entries in the Yenko Registry and COPO Connection.
A Three-Tier Showcase of Racing Heritage and American Performance
Each of these cars would be a headline attraction on its own, but together they give Mecum Kissimmee 2026 one of the strongest Saturday lineups the auction has ever presented. From Ferrari’s most storied GT racer to one of the rarest factory Hemis and the prototype that launched the Yenko legend, January 17 will stand out as the focal point of the 13-day auction.
This amazing collection is being sold at Mecum’s largest sale of the year in Kissimmee, Florida. Visit there to see other collections and vehicles on offer. Better yet, consign your car or collection today!
Shawn Henry