FIRST: Do NOT trust the auction description! Not one word of it. It's not worth the paper it's printed on.
PLEASE start here. PLEASE read this:
https://cdn1.mecum.com/assets/regist...gistration.pdf
A few highlights:
"
7. All Lots offered are sold “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Mecum makes no representation and extends no warranty, express or implied, respecting any Lot’s
condition, genuineness, value, and/or quality. Mecum is not responsible for any defect in any Lot. MECUM HAS NOT INDEPENDENTLY
INSPECTED OR TESTED THE LOT AND HAS NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE LOTÂ’S HISTORY OR CONDITION. Bidder has the duty, right, and opportunity
to inspect any Lot prior to bidding, and BidderÂ’s participation in the auction of any lot is exclusively premised upon the BidderÂ’s own
determinations. Winning Bidders shall accept their Lot(s) with all faults, including, but not limited to, qualitative conditions, defects or
imperfections (whether structural, mechanical, cosmetic, latent, obvious, whether mentioned or unmentioned in the Lot description).
8. Bidder releases, waives, and discharges Mecum for any and all claims arising out of, involving, or associated with a Lot description. Bidder shall
reimburse Mecum for any costs and/or expenses (including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneysÂ’ fees) that Mecum incurs in defending any
BidderÂ’s claim arising out of, involving, or associated with a Lot description."
IN SHORT: The auction house accepts ZERO responsibility for the accuracy of the lot description. NONE.
What should a bidder do?
In short, invest the time to do your own research!!!
1. Get someone you know or trust to put eyes on the car, to verify the VIN. This will likely be the starting point of the internet search.
2. If the lot description includes old magazine articles, get on ebay ... find them, buy them, and READ them! Get familiar with the car's history.
3. Research the past auction history of the car, if applicable.
4. Find the past owners and experts. TALK TO THEM. This is a GREAT forum to explore this particular point
5. PAY the experts for their time and knowledge! Time, and knowledge, are money
A few hundred, or couple thousand, bucks spent now ... can save you MUCH more $$ in the future. If an expert is willing to visit the car, seriously consider following through on that small investment.
PLEASE REMEMBER: NO single person is necessarily the "final word" on any one car. Your job, as bidder, is to "assimilate" all available info ... and come to your own conclusion about a car's authenticity and condition.