Bobby Adams thought he had acquired a 1956 Lincoln Continental Mark II Sport Coupe for $31,000 at a Mecum auction. His final bid was the highest when the hammer fell, but immediately afterward, the auctioneer accepted a new bid, raising the offer to $32,000. Adams, furious with the decision to continue the sale, has since strongly criticized Mecum on social media, where thousands have taken his side.
A Filmed Scene and a Public Dispute
The entire incident was filmed by Adams’ personal team and Mecum’s filming crew. The widely shared video footage allows everyone to form their own opinion on the contentious sequence: had the hammer already fallen and the sale been announced as “sold” before the new bid was accepted?
Adams, along with thousands of internet users, is convinced that the Lincoln rightfully belonged to him. Witnesses in the crowd immediately challenged the Mecum staff’s decision, with some supporting Adams as he expressed his dissatisfaction in a very direct manner to the auction house.
Mecum Auctions’ Defense
Mecum, for its part, maintains that the sale was fair and was conducted in accordance with the regulations. Sam Murtaugh, Mecum’s Chief Operating Officer, provided an official response:
“If you listen carefully to the video on social media, you can clearly hear a bid being announced before the hammer fell. At that moment, the auctioneer exercised his discretionary power to accept the bid and continue the sale, in accordance with California law. Mecum Auctions represents both buyers and sellers, and the auctioneer has a dual responsibility, which includes ensuring that sellers get the highest possible price for their car.”
A Question of Legal Interpretation
The legality of the sale is being questioned based on the California Commercial Code, which states that ‘an auction sale is complete when the auctioneer so announces by the fall of the hammer or in another customary manner.’ Ironically, Mecum cites this same regulation to justify its actions, arguing that the announcement had not been definitively formalized.
The auction house also emphasizes that the bidder’s contract states that ‘the auctioneer’s determination in these circumstances is both final and non-appealable.’
No Lawsuit, but a Desire for Change
When contacted for comment, Adams indicated that several lawyers had offered to sue Mecum pro bono. However, he explained that this was not part of his plan for the time being.
“I’m not dying to sue anyone. But I want to see things change. I don’t think going to court would fix much. Even if I win, it won’t change how things operate. The real impact comes from people speaking out and showing what’s happening. That’s why I shared the video.”
Toward a New Project
Adams, a regular at auctions, is now working on launching his own platform. He states: “It’s time to bring about a change in how auctions work, and I intend to be the one to lead it.”
One thing is certain: Adams is not the happy owner of the 1956 Lincoln, and this case has dealt a serious blow to Mecum Auctions’ image.