Why attend Mecum? Meet dream machines for just $30.

Photography by Paris Van Gorder and David S. Wallens

What can you get for 30 bucks? How about entry into the “World’s Largest Collector Car Auction,” Mecum Kissimmee?

Now, I’ve watched this auction on TV before, but being at Mecum Kissimmee in person? Totally different experience. The Mecum auction gives everyday people the perfect chance to be face to grille with some of the rarest, most sought after vehicles in history.

The second you walk through the ticket arch at Mecum you are met with tents, cars and automotive memorabilia as far as the eye can see. And that was just staging before cars crossed the auction block.

Walking toward the event center, the soft droning of the auctioneer slowly becomes more and more clear until you walk through those double doors.

“Do we have $20,000? $20,000, how about 25? Can we get 25, 25, 25, can we get 25?” The auctioneers quick, booming voice fills the room along with the occasional yell from the stands as a new bid is placed.

At the same time, vehicles roll through the block, sitting for only a minute or two before the next vehicle is pushed through for its turn.

There was one vehicle that I wanted to see no matter what. We were walking toward the back half of the lot, and suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, I see a flash of orange.

My head whips around and there it is. Hidden behind one of the tents and against a wall in all its glory was the one-of-a-kind, custom-built Monarch Sno-Motor. My life was complete.

The 1938 Monarch Sno-Motor.

I practically skipped across the lot. Everyone was checking out the cream of the crop of collector cars and there I was, having a full photo shoot of this giant orange contraption. What can I say, the more unusual it is, the more I love it.

But the highlight for the masses at Mecum? The 1969 Porsche 917K known as Steve McQueen’s hero car in the iconic 1971 film “Le Mans.” While I thought my Sno-Motor was pretty cool, this Porsche took the cake for the day–as expected.

Even after 10 hours, there were so many more cars to see, and not enough time. We only scratched the surface of Mecum but for $30, we got our money’s worth.

The Porsche 917K of Steve McQueen.