The Golden Sahara II – Photo courtesy of Mecum’s Auctions
Larry’s Legacy auction achieves $16.5 million in overall sales as more than 700 lots find new caretakers
Walworth, Wis. – September 24, 2025 – Mecum Auctions [3], the world
leader in collector car, vintage and antique motorcycle, and Road Art(R)
sales, successfully concluded its “Larry’s Legacy” auction in Chicago
with resounding success. More than 1,200 registered bidders filled the
auction room for the two-day event, celebrating one of the nation’s most
interesting automotive museums. The auction achieved $16.5 million in
total sales with every lot finding a new home, marking a fitting tribute
to the legacy of Larry Klairmont.
The auction drew collectors from across the United States and abroad,
with spirited bidding on many of the headline offerings. Attention
gravitated toward both rarity and history, from rare prewar models and
exotic coachbuilt customs to one-of-a-kind concept cars and cultural
icons such as the Golden Sahara II. Each sale celebrated the vision of
Larry Klairmont, affirming his collection’s diversity, significance and
lasting impact on the collector car community.
From start to finish, the two-day auction saw high-energy bidding that
resulted in strong sales for many of the collection’s most coveted
offerings, including the legendary Golden Sahara II [4], which sold for
$1.265 million. Other notable sales included a 1926 Rickenbacker Eight
Super Sport [5] that sold for $440,000, a 1969 Joe Bailon Barber Shop
Custom [6], which sold for $176,000, and a fan-favorite 1947 Tatra T87
[7] that brought $220,000. The auction also saw plenty of Road Art(R)
cross the block, including a Chris-Craft Boat Bar, Server and Neon Sign
[8] that demanded a $33,040 sale and a 1960 Mobil Pegasus Single-Sided
Porcelain Animated Neon Sign [9] that brought $27,140.
In all, the auction saw 275 collector vehicles and more than 1,000
pieces of Road Art(R) sell at no reserve with proceeds benefiting the
foundation. The top sales from this one-of-a-kind collection include:
Top Vehicles
* The Golden Sahara II (Lot S198) [4] at $1,265,000
* 1926 Rickenbacker Eight Super Sport (Lot S273) [5] at $440,000
* 1937 Rolls-Royce Phantom III Aero Coupe (Lot S274) [10] at $352,000
* 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz (Lot S195) [11] at $286,000
* 1949 Bentley B Special Speed 8 (Lot S224) [12] at $280,500
Top Road Art(R)
* Chris-Craft Boat Bar, Server and Neon Sign (Lot U242) [8] at $33,040
* 1960 Mobil Pegasus Single-Sided Porcelain Animated Neon Sign (Lot
S144) [9] at $27,140
* Spirit of Ecstasy Rolls-Royce Bronze Statue (Lot S143) [13] at
$23,600
* Tucker 6-Cylinder Engine (Lot S264) [14] at $20,060
* Pontiac Single-Sided Porcelain Neon Sign (Lot U172) [15] at $20,060
For access to complete auction results, sign up for a free MyMecum
account at Mecum.com [16]. Next on the Mecum auction calendar is the
Indy Fall Special [17], located at the Indiana State Fairgrounds,
October 2-4, 2025. The event includes entries from the Larry Legro
Collection [18], a fleet of meticulously preserved purpose-built trucks,
offering a rare opportunity to see a few of history’s heavy-haulers. For
more details on upcoming auctions, to consign a vehicle, or to register
as a bidder, visit Mecum.com or call (262) 275-5050 for more
information.