Mecum Auctions, West Coast Customs Team Up For Operation Mend

MARENGO, Ill., Sept. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Dana Mecum, president of The Mecum Auction Company, and Ryan Friedlinghaus, founder and CEO of West Coast Customs®, have joined forces to offer a custom 2011 Chevrolet Camaro convertible to raise funds for Operation Mend.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110922/CL73523 )

Operation Mend is a partnership between Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, and the Veterans Administration-Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System established to help treat U.S. military personnel severely wounded during service in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Friedlinghaus, who has transformed cars for celebrities and corporations, will customize this one-of-a-kind Camaro with a blend of camouflage colors.  The car will debut at the Mecum Dallas Auction, Oct. 6-8, 2011 at the Dallas Convention Center in Texas.  The team at Mecum Auctions will sell the Camaro at no reserve on Friday, Oct. 7 at 7:30 p.m. CT, drawing bids from the crowd as well as online and phone bidders.

"Having the opportunity to create and auction a one-off custom Camaro to benefit Operation Mend is an honor for me and the entire West Coast Customs team.  Having met patients, families, doctors and volunteers really helped provide inspiration for this build.  We have the opportunity to honor the men and women who have dedicated themselves to protect our freedoms, which is a privilege for me," said CEO Ryan Friedlinghaus.

Both Mecum and Friedlinghaus star in popular television shows airing on Discovery's new network Velocity (formerly HD Theater).  The Camaro's journey from stock to custom will be documented on "Inside West Coast Customs," now in its second season, while the vehicle's sale will be featured live on "Mecum Auto Auction: Muscle Cars & More," which is in its fourth season.

"Our company is honored to sell this custom Camaro to benefit Operation Mend, and we are grateful that we can do our part to help the brave men and women who have sacrificed themselves to protect our country and our families here at home," said President Dana Mecum.

All proceeds from the sale of the custom Camaro will be donated to Operation Mend.  In addition, the new owner will have the opportunity to drive the Camaro as the lead Grand Marshal Car at the Veteran's Day Parade in New York City, Nov. 11, 2011, with Mayor Mike Bloomberg and Governor Andrew Cuomo in front of 50,000 veterans.  The Camaro will also seat returning war heroes who are currently undergoing surgeries at UCLA through Operation Mend to repair faces damaged by IED explosions in Afghanistan and Iraq.  To learn more about Operation Mend and watch featured videos of wounded warriors, visit www.operationmend.ucla.edu.

"On behalf of all of the wounded military personnel that will benefit from the proceeds of this wonderful opportunity provided to Operation Mend by West Coast Customs, Mecum Auctions and The Constellations Group, we thank you," said Dr. Tim Miller, lead surgeon for UCLA's Operation Mend Program.  "Operation Mend is funded by generous donations from caring Americans and this will go a long way to providing more medical care to those who so proudly serve our nation."

About Mecum Auctions

The Mecum Auction Company has been specializing in the sale of collector cars for 24 years, and is the world leader of collector car, motorcycle, boat and memorabilia sales.  Their inaugural Dallas Auction is open to the general public with tickets available in advance or at the door for just $15 per day.  To register to bid onsite, online or via phone, visit www.Mecum.com or call 815.568.8888.

About West Coast Customs

West Coast Customs has grown into one of the most powerful and recognized brands names in the custom automotive industry, with franchises stretching across the world and various ventures across various media platforms.  Founder and CEO of West Coast Customs Ryan Friedlinghaus created a multi-media empire that revolves around the world's premier custom car shop.  Check out "Inside West Coast Customs" Sundays at 9:00 pm ET on Discovery's Velocity channel.  For more information, visit www.westcoastcustoms.com.

Dallas Auction
Dallas Convention Center
650 S. Griffin St.
Dallas, TX 75202
October 6-8, 2011
General Admission: $15.00
Preview: Gates open Thursday-Saturday at 8am
Auction: Thursday: 2:45pm  Friday: 11:00am  Saturday: 10:00am
Live TV Times: Thursday 3-8pm  Friday 3-8pm  Saturday 1-5pm
(All times Central)

SOURCE Mecum Auctions