The hottest cars of the 2014 Mecum Kissimmee auction

Scottsdale isn't the only place in the world selling cars in the next week or so. It's not even the only place in the US of A. All the way across the country in equally sunny Kissimmee, Fla. is another auction that, in terms of sheer numbers, threatens to eclipse Arizona.

It'll be muscle-car madness at the massive 10-day-long Mecum Collector Car Auction in Kissimmee, Fla. running Jan. 17-26. Mecum expects a record 3,000 cars to roll over the block in that time, which is a big fleet even for them and easily outpaces last year's 2,600 autos.

While the bidding starts in earnest Friday, we got a look at the higher-dollar lots scheduled for later in the week -- next Thursday through Saturday, Jan. 23-25 -- and it's an impressive list of muscle cars and classic American iron.

Jan. 23 will see mostly $40,000 to $70,000 Mustangs, Corvettes, Chevelles and Nomads, but it will also include the wild-looking, very '80s 1983 Lincoln Quick Silver Ghia Concept Car. Hard to imagine who'd want that rolling eyesore, but that's why Baskin-Robbins makes 31 flavors.

Jan. 24 will see more great American rides ranging in price estimates from the high five figures to the low 200s. Included on that day is Don Prudhomme's 1982 Trans Am Funny Car, "Pepsi Challenger," expected to go for between $200,000 and $250,000. The Richard Berry Callaway Collection includes many of the great Corvettes of that era made by Reeves Callaway's firm, from the 1988 Sledgehammer, the C12, C7R and even a 20-foot Callaway Corvette-powered Malibu speedboat. There's even going to be a 2011 Avid Magnum Roadable Aircraft with folding wings that's expected to sell in the low six figures. You could fly it home.

Jan. 25 will see more big-ticket items like the 1956 Corvette SR Prototype “The Real McCoy” race car, which is expected to be the top-seller of the auction, going for an estimated $2.8 to $3.3 million. The pink 1963 Corvette made for and driven by Mrs. Harley J. Earle is expected to bring $500,000 to $750,000. The genuine Boydster II hot rod should go for more than $100,000, according to Mecum. Even astronaut Gus Grissom's red 1967 Corvette Convertible will be hammered, for an estimated $150,000 to $175,000.

Other show toppers are also expected on Saturday. Tyrone Powers' 1930 Duesenberg Model J Torpedo Berline Convertible is estimated at $1.5 million to $2 million. Another big seller is expected to be a 1965 Shelby 427 Competition Cobra that could top $2 million, according to Mecum.

If that's out of your budget, Jan. 20 will be reserved for collectibles, those 3,000 items of automobilia we mentioned that will cover everything from road signs and gas pumps to posters and pinups. There's got to be something in that pile for you and your checkbook.

You can also watch the whole thing on TV, which won't cost you anything. Starting this Friday on the NBCUniversal family of networks, live coverage will begin on Esquire Network Friday at 1 p.m. EST and on NBCSN Jan. 24 at 1 p.m. EST. There will be a one-hour special on the auction Jan. 26 at 3:30 p.m. EST on NBC. NBC and NBCSN's coverage of all Mecum car auctions throughout the year will be streamed online, via NBC Sports Live Extra, NBC Sports Group's live-streaming product for desktops, mobile devices, and tablets.

Happy bidding!

By Mark Vaughn