Phoenix just got more eye candy! That’s right, only two months after Arizona Car Week, Mecum Auctions held a four-day collector car auction at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, March 14-17. Over 1,200 cars crossed the Mecum block, which is significant, particularly when compared to Barrett-Jackson’s 1,800 vehicles and Russo and Steele’s 800 or so cars offered during January.

According to AZCentral, David Morton, a spokesperson for Mecum, said Phoenix has always been in mind, but it took a business connection to get the auction to the valley.

He further explained “the company’s largest auction, with about 3,500 cars, is in Kissimmee, Florida. The venue there is operated by the same management company like State Farm Stadium. State Farm Insurance, which purchased naming rights on the Glendale stadium last year, also is a sponsor of Mecum Auctions.”

One of my favorite things to do at the auctions is to window shop as though I have unlimited funds. This year at Mecum Phoenix, I decided to focus on Dodge Vehicles and select some Mopars I felt I couldn’t live without, or those that stood out to me.

Here are the cars I would take home:  

1970 Dodge Hemi Challenger R/T Convertible

When Dodge debut the Challenger in 1970 there were seemingly endless option combinations that led to the creation of a few that stand as singularly unique vehicles, with no other matching example ever built. Among those rarities are the even scarcer: unique creations boasting some of the most desirable options. 

This Plum Crazy Hemi R/T convertible holds ranks among that elite group of one-of-a-kind rides. This particular car is one of just 5 Hemi Challenger R/T Convertibles produced with the 4-speed transmission in 1970. Additionally, it was optioned as a Factory 4.10 Super Track Pack car.

According to the docket, this particular car was exported to England by Peter Kevin Jordan in 1976. It later became part of a Swedish collector’s holdings but returned to America in the 1990s with help from Milt Robson.

The car was restored using a plethora of NOS parts. Later it became part of the Steve Fox collection and was inspected by Mopar specialist David Wise who stated, “This is one of the nicest convertible bodies that I have seen with original sheet metal.” Further examination revealed the convertible is equipped with a date-code correct 426 CI Hemi warranty engine and its original 4-speed transmission.

2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon

This B5 Blue Dodge Demon is both one of 3,300 Demon’s produced, but one of just 148 offered in blue. The car has only 10 miles on it, and while it is not dealer prepped, it is still in its wrappers. Some highlights include a factory transbrake and dual fuel pumps for Launch Mode, and street legal slicks.

1970 Plymouth Superbird

Who doesn’t love the Superbird? This 1970 Plymouth features matching numbers 440 6-barrel engine and is the recipient of a rotisserie restoration. Since the restoration, the car has only driven a half mile.

Other highlights include a rebuild of its original 4-speed transmission, detailed undercarriage, sorted rear end, build sheets and paperwork, and it’s received some performance work such as roller top end and polished and ported heads, and upgraded dash, and it has restored chrome and stainless by Proflections in Auburn, Washington.

2010 Dodge Challenger R/T

What I like about this 2010 Dodge Challenger R/T is that it is a single owner, Arizona car that has spent its entire life in a garage and kept covered. According to the docket, it was special ordered, and the appropriate documents are included in its sale.

This Challenger gets its stance from a Mopar OEM sport lowering kit, and it sits on OEM Black chrome SRT wheels wrapped in Pirelli P-Zero 275/40/20 tires.

Other highlights include a Mopar interior appearance package, Hurst shifter with carbon fiber pistol grip, Mopar exterior appearance package, SRT front splitter with air ducts, Super Track Pack 3.90 Positraction rear end, Arrington 82mm throttle body, Arrington carbon fiber cold air induction kit, and a Mopar OEM cold air induction kit.

Lastly, the Challenger breaths through a set of Stainless works full-length headers with a Borla 3 inch stainless exhaust with quad tips.

1969 Plymouth Barracuda Mod Top

What I love most about this Barracuda is its rare vinyl Mod Top, which back in the day was a $90 option. Only 937 cars were produced, and of those, this is No. 90 of 118 listed in the Mod Top Registry.

Inside, the Barracuda was given the Mod Top interior, a $40 option at the time.

The car was sold new from Austin Motors in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It received a two-year restoration completed in 2010 and retained all of its original body panels and floors.

To top it off, this Barracuda features its matching numbers 318 CI V-8 engine, a 2-barrel carburetor, automatic transmission, and it is seen in Sunfire Yellow.

2011 Dodge Challenger Drag Pak

What’s cool about this 2011 Dodge Challenger is that it comes with the Drag Pak option. According to the docket it’s never been raced and is No. 47 of only 70 produced. It has an aluminum 8.4-liter  V10 engine, a 2-speed automatic drag race transmission, and was factory ordered with the Mopar logo wrap, and net harness and roll cage which has been painted in Mopar EB5 Blue Poly.

The car is part of a private collection and is sold on Bill of Sale with its original order sheets.

1992 Dodge Ramcharger

Because I love to go off road, what better to do so than in a 1992 Dodge Ramcharger? This Ramcharger features a 12 valve 5.9-liter intercooled Cummins Turbo Diesel engine. It has 4-wheel drive with 1 ton Dana axles, and a custom rack and bumper with a winch to help get you out of muddy situations.

Other highlights include 37-inch military tires, a new interior, new suspension, high crossover steering with Borgeson steering shaft, cold air intake, custom exhaust and professional paint by San Tan Hot Rods.