Mecum Monterey 2026 proved that collector car auctions aren’t exclusively reserved for six- and seven-figure automobiles. Held August 13–15, 2026, at the Del Monte Golf Course in Monterey, California, the three-day event featured an advertised lineup of approximately 600 collector vehicles and 100 motorcycles. Although Monterey Car Week is widely associated with prestigious classics, exotic cars, and expensive automotive rarities, Mecum’s auction also offered opportunities for enthusiasts interested in more affordable vehicles.
Among the lowest-priced sales were an early Ford Model A pickup, a modern Thunderbird convertible, an unusual Alfa Romeo race car, a classic Mercedes-Benz roadster, and a customized Studebaker coupe. All five crossed the auction block for $7,700 or less, demonstrating the variety available at different price points. From prewar American motoring to Italian motorsport engineering, these Mecum Monterey 2026 auction results offer a different perspective on one of the collector car calendar’s best-known events.
1. 1928 Ford Model A Roadster Pickup – $5,500
The most affordable vehicle on this list was a 1928 Ford Model A Roadster Pickup, which sold for just $5,500 at Mecum Monterey 2026. Powered by a 201 CI inline four-cylinder engine paired with a three-speed manual transmission, the all-steel pickup featured green paint with black fenders and running boards. Mecum documented one repaint, a new convertible top and frame, a new seat, painted wire wheels, and a side-mounted spare tire. The odometer displayed 18,280 miles, although that figure was not presented as verified lifetime mileage.
Introduced as the successor to the legendary Model T, the Ford Model A represented an important step forward in Ford’s passenger-car development. The 1928 model belongs to the first year of Model A production, giving this particular roadster pickup a direct connection to a defining period in American automotive history. Its open-air body style and practical pickup bed also distinguish it from the more familiar Model A sedans and coupes. At this sale price, the Ford stood out as an accessible piece of prewar automotive heritage.
2. 2005 Ford Thunderbird Convertible – $6,600
A 2005 Ford Thunderbird Convertible also appeared among the lowest-priced Mecum Monterey sales, bringing $6,600. Finished in Steel Blue with a black interior and convertible soft top, this example featured a 3.9-liter V-8 engine, automatic transmission, air conditioning, and premium wheels. Mecum listed the Thunderbird as a one-owner vehicle with a clean Carfax report and an odometer reading of 127,787 miles. The car crossed the block on August 13 as Lot T190.
The 2005 Thunderbird marked the 50th anniversary of one of Ford’s most recognizable nameplates. Introduced in its original form in 1955, the Thunderbird evolved through numerous generations before Ford revived its two-seat roadster concept for the early 2000s. The final-year 2005 model combined retro-inspired styling with modern V-8 power and the conveniences expected of a contemporary luxury convertible. Its appearance among Monterey’s affordable sales illustrates how a recognizable American automotive nameplate can offer a very different ownership proposition from a much older classic.
3. 1987 Alfa Romeo Formula Alfa Boxer Race Car – $6,600
One of the more unusual vehicles in the affordable group was a 1987 Alfa Romeo Formula Alfa Boxer race car, which also sold for $6,600. This first-generation racing machine featured a race-prepared 1,700cc flat-four engine, five-speed manual transmission, four-wheel disc brakes, and distinctive red-and-white racing livery. Mecum identified chassis number ALF00252 and noted that its low chassis number indicated a car from the earliest production batch. Unlike the road-going vehicles on the list, the Alfa Romeo was sold on a bill of sale.
The Formula Alfa Boxer represents a different side of Alfa Romeo’s motorsport heritage from the company’s better-known sports cars and touring racers. Built around a lightweight, single-seat racing format, the car reflects an era when relatively simple mechanical packages were used for competitive circuit racing. Its flat-four engine and manual gearbox emphasize a direct connection between driver and machine. Among these Mecum Monterey results, the Alfa Romeo was particularly distinctive because it offered a purpose-built racing configuration rather than a conventional collector car intended for public roads.
4. 1980 Mercedes-Benz 450SL Convertible – $7,700
A 1980 Mercedes-Benz 450SL Convertible brought $7,700, adding a classic European luxury roadster to the lower end of the Monterey auction results. Equipped with a 4.5-liter V-8 engine and automatic transmission, the Mercedes-Benz featured red exterior paint, a tan interior, wood trim, and a new convertible soft top. Additional equipment included power steering, power brakes, European-style headlights, Penta alloy wheels with new tires, and an Alpine audio head unit. Mecum recorded an odometer reading of 92,334 miles.
Part of the long-running R107 SL generation, the 450SL helped establish Mercedes-Benz’s reputation for combining open-top motoring with substantial engineering and luxury. The R107 series became closely associated with the grand-touring character of the 1970s and 1980s, emphasizing comfort, solid construction, and V-8 performance rather than lightweight sports-car simplicity. The 1980 model year also marked the end of the 450SL designation in the American market. Its Monterey result shows that classic Mercedes-Benz roadster ownership can begin at a relatively modest auction price, although maintenance requirements and condition remain important considerations.
5. 1951 Studebaker Champion Custom Starlight Coupe – $7,700
Rounding out the five most affordable cars was a customized 1951 Studebaker Champion Starlight Coupe, which matched the Mercedes-Benz at $7,700. This particular example was far from a factory-original Champion, having received a chopped-roof custom build completed in 1990. The car featured a 350 CI V-8 engine, a 350 automatic transmission, Torq Thrust wheels, gray paint, and a black interior. Mecum listed the odometer reading as 81,378 miles, without certifying the vehicle’s actual lifetime mileage.
Studebaker’s early postwar automobiles are remembered for styling that departed from the conservative designs of many American competitors. The Starlight Coupe’s distinctive wraparound rear-window treatment made it one of the company’s recognizable body styles. This custom-built example added another chapter to that design history through its chopped roof, upgraded V-8 engine, and personalized appearance. Rather than representing a factory-correct restoration, it demonstrated the hot-rodding and custom-car traditions that have long been part of American collector-car culture.
Mecum Monterey 2026 FAQs
Where was Mecum Monterey 2026 held?
Mecum Monterey 2026 took place at the Del Monte Golf Course in Monterey, California. The auction was held during Monterey Car Week, an annual gathering that brings together collector-car auctions, automotive exhibitions, and enthusiast events.
When did Mecum Monterey 2026 take place?
The Mecum Monterey 2026 auction was held August 13–15, 2026. The five affordable vehicles highlighted here all crossed the auction block on Thursday, August 13, the opening day of the three-day event.
What was the cheapest car sold at Mecum Monterey 2026?
Among the five vehicles highlighted, the cheapest was the 1928 Ford Model A Roadster Pickup, which sold for $5,500. The prewar Ford featured a four-cylinder engine, three-speed manual transmission, and traditional open-top pickup bodywork.
What is a buyer’s premium at a Mecum collector car auction?
A buyer’s premium is an additional fee charged by the auction company on top of the winning bid. The applicable rate depends on the auction’s terms, vehicle category, and bidding method. Buyers should review the specific auction conditions before bidding because the final amount payable can exceed the displayed hammer price or bid amount.
Can affordable collector cars still be found at major Monterey auctions?
Yes. The five Mecum Monterey 2026 results featured here ranged from $5,500 to $7,700, covering prewar vehicles, convertibles, European classics, race cars, and American customs. However, a low auction price does not necessarily mean a low total ownership cost. Buyers should consider mechanical condition, documentation, transportation, registration eligibility, insurance, maintenance, and any applicable auction fees before purchasing.
These sales demonstrate that even at a high-profile event such as Monterey Car Week, collector-car enthusiasts can encounter vehicles across a remarkably broad range of styles and price points.
