Aurelie said her husband of 23 years, Mark—who purchased a 1966 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible when they were newly engaged—played a large role in fostering her love for classic cars. While Aurelie said she’s more familiar with European and French cars, having grown up in France, it was Mark who helped her fall in love with the American muscle scene. Living in Ohio in the early years of their marriage, Aurelie said there was always some kind of car show or car museum around, and that she and Mark would always stop to take a peek. “I learned a lot through him, since he had so much knowledge, and it’s something we both enjoy doing together, so we’ve continued to do it throughout the years,” she said. Aurelie said they moved to Sarasota, Florida, in 2006, where they continued to attend local car shows and watch Mecum auctions on TV. While they knew there was an auction fairly close by in Kissimmee and had been invited to attend on a few occasions by a friend, they had yet to make the trip. The couple would not only change that in 2021, but they would do so in a big way, bringing home a new-to-them car when they left Osceola Heritage Park that weekend. “Of all years, this year we decided to go in person,” she said. “He was interested in a car or maybe getting a car for me, and that’s what happened.” As a first-time attendee at a Mecum auction, Aurelie said it was a really enjoyable experience, noting that first and foremost, she was blown away by the sheer volume of cars. “There were just so many cars,” she said. “It was like going to a car museum, basically. And with it being outdoors with the tents, it was the perfect setting.” She said that while the auction action itself was an exciting experience, being able to roam around the grounds and check out the cars was just as thrilling for her and Mark. “We really enjoyed just walking through all those cars, indoors and outdoors,” she said. “It was bigger than I thought it would be. It was impressive, the quality and quantity of cars, that’s for sure.” Aurelie also noted that the large, open space at Kissimmee and the health protocols in place ensured that she always felt safe and comfortable at the event. “Although it was well attended, it didn’t feel like you were around a lot of people, so you still felt pretty safe,” she said. “Everybody wore masks, you had the Plexiglas between people—as far as COVID, I felt safe. It was nice to be there in person. It was a great day, and we were able to enjoy the whole day.” " like most people, it's a type of car I would've liked to have as a younger person, but never got to have. MECUM.COM • 53
