Mecum 25th Anniversary Indianapolis Auction 2012

One of the top sellers amongst the 4x4s was a rare 1955 Chevrolet Suburban with a Napco Powr-Pak four wheel drive conversion. While Napco could trace its origins back to 1918, the manufacture of four wheel drive conversion kits for civilian vehicles had only been a part of the company's catalogue since approximately 1951. Napco supplied 'Powr-Pak' 4 wheel drive conversions to suit most light pickup trucks of the period, including Ford and Studebaker, but are more commonly seen on Chev and GMC pickups. While initially an aftermarket item, Napco conversion kits became a factory-fitted option on selected Chev and GMC vehicles from 1956. Being a 1955 model, the lot on offer represented one of the last conversions done by aftermarket conversion companies, known as 'upfitters'.

Originally a working truck with the Colorado Forestry Service, the '55 Suburban had been subject to a thorough 3-year restoration inside and out, but still carried its original 235ci Thriftmaster six cylinder engine, heavy duty 11-inch clutch and four speed manual transmission. Aside from the Napco conversion, a rare feature on this Suburban was modification of the rear axle spacers from 6-bolt to 8-bolt. A magazine feature car and multiple trophy winner at Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) events, the '55 Suburban sold for an impressive US$65,000.

Second best seller behind the Napco Suburban was a wild International CXT dual cab. When it was introduced in 2004, the CXT (Commercial eXtreme Truck) held the title of the World's Biggest Production Pickup. Using the same chassis and major componentry as International dump trucks and cement mixers, the CXT featured International's 220hp DT 466E turbocharged diesel engine, a six ton carrying capacity, all-wheel drive, air brakes, 70 gallon fuel tanks and the option of a tipping pickup bed.

Dubbed "Serious Bizness", the CXT auctioned was a 2005 model that had been customised by Chrome Shop Mafia as a show vehicle for Navistar (International's parent company) and US truck parts manufacturer, Accuride back in 2008. Features of the fully-customised exterior included a roof rack, spotlights, police-style light bar, side steps, Accuride aluminium wheels, off road tyres and custom 'desert' camouflage paint. Inside, the CXT featured a chequerplate floor, five individual Bostrom bucket seats, and chequerplate trim on the doors and dash. A mammoth 4,500 watt sound system, with eight speakers, had been custom-fitted to the tilting pickup bed. Certainly a unique 4x4, even in the US, the CXT custom sold for US$50,000.

A couple of classic Jeep off-roaders were also consigned for Indy, in the form of a 1965 Gladiator 'Thriftside' and a 1978 J10 Honcho. In amazing original condition, the Gladiator had been a one-owner vehicle until 2011. Still fitted with its original 230ci Tornado engine and three speed manual transmission, the Gladiator sold for US$20,000, the sale price including original brochures, owner's manual and sales literature. The J10 with the 'Honcho' trim package was also close to original condition, with a 360ci V8, three speed auto and AM radio with CB. The interior was all original, but the wheels and dual exhaust were recent updates. This rare Jeep sold for a relative bargain price of only US$7,000.

Other 4x4s of interest included a customised 1956 Chevrolet 3100 stepside pickup that had been finished to an immaculate standard. Fitted with a 454ci V8 and Turbo 400 automatic, the 3100 had also been fitted with Hooker headers, a BeCool radiator, Erson gear drive and Flowmaster exhaust. Inside, the Chev had been fitted with custom suede trim for the bench seat, door trims and headliner. Gauges were aftermarket units, as was the steering wheel, while a modern audio system had also been fitted. It's unknown if the 4x4 conversion was an original Napco item, or a later aftermarket addition. Finished in bright metallic blue with gleaming chrome and stainless trim, this high standard custom fetched US$26,000.

Another custom that grabbed attention was a bold green 2001 model Ford F250 pickup. Professionally built, the F250 had covered only 9,600 miles, almost exclusively on the show circuit. The modifications included a fully customised frame and suspension, with Air Ride Technologies adjustable air suspension all round, 20-inch chrome wheels, and Nitto Mud Grappler tyres. The body had been fitted with solid wheelarch flares, chromed Ford nerf bars, chrome sill panels, ram air fibreglass bonnet and a flush-mounted fuel filler, feeding a custom 28 gallon fuel cell. The rear bumper was deleted and the whole lot finished in House of Kolor 'Limetime' metallic green paint, with flame graphics over the top. Inside, the F250 had been trimmed in leather throughout, with other parts finished in the same Limetime paint as the exterior. Powered by a 7.3 litre Ford Powerstroke turbo diesel V8, the jacked-up custom F250 sold for US$26,500.

Bronco fans had four to choose from at Indy. While a restored and mildly-modified 1974 model was the top seller amongst this group at US$39,000, perhaps the more interesting Bronco was a 1975 model which had been heavily customised. The body had been given a 3.4-inch suspension lift, a fibreglass bonnet had been fitted, while the doors had been removed and fibreglass inserts for the cutouts blended to the metal body. While the body itself had been finished in white, the roll bars and wheelarch flares had been painted black and all the underbody finished in blue. The rebuilt 302 V8 had been bored 30 thou over, with an aluminium intake, stainless steel headers, Flowmaster exhaust, C4 automatic and Dana 44 3.50 rear. The custom touches continued inside, with a full complement of aftermarket gauges, race-style custom seats, floor carpeting and custom steering wheel. Bidding for the Bronco stalled at US$26,000, leaving it as one of the few vehicles that didn't sell.

Non-4x4 pickups of note at Mecum's Indy auction included a fully-restored 1960 F100 styleside, which sold for US$25,000, and a Lingenfelter-tuned Chevrolet SSR, which made US$30,000. Mopar fans were attracted to the 1-of-50 1996 Dodge Ram Indy Pace truck, previously owned by a Chrysler engineer, and in climate-controlled storage since new. Still with original paint, decals, and 17-inch aluminium wheels, the 5.9 litre Magnum V8 had been performance chipped, and the Laramie SLT package had been fitted. Actually used at the 1996 Indianapolis 500, the Ram sold for US$17,000. Another rare Mopar pickup was a 1989 Dodge Shelby Dakota. Listed as #38 of a limited quantity built (some sources say 1,500), the Shelby Dakota was largely original, with a Shelby V8, automatic, power steering and brakes. Considering the death of Carroll Shelby just prior to the Indy auction, one might have imagined the Shelby Dakota would fetch a high price, but this rare performance pickup only made US$9,500.

A number of other non-4x4 pickups were also consigned, but the top sellers across all the lots at Dana Mecum's 25th original Spring Classic Auction were American muscle cars. A 1968 L88 Corvette was the top seller, fetching US$600,000, while Yenko Novas and Camaros, Mustangs, Chevelles and a Corvetttes all figured in the top ten sales.

Images courtesy of Mecum Auctions.