TMCP #432: Frank Mecum; Growing Up Inside the Worlds Largest Classic Car Auction – Ask Rick, How Ford VIN Verification Began

Summary: This week I spoke to Frank Mecum of Mecum Auctions. In most of my interviews the story starts "at a young age with a love of cars". This story does have that theme, but begins with two generations of Mecums (including Dana Mecum and his father) working in and owning new car dealerships for years. Early on they came across a large collection of collectible cars that allowed the set up the first Mecum auction ever. The event took place at the Rockford airport in Illinois and after the cars were sold a tornado came through and destroyed nearly everything - including the cars. Frank said that his grandfather owed so many people money after that auction that he had to do it again the next year. The start was humble, but it led to the Mecum auction enterprise we know today.