Good things come to those who wait.
Sure, some car buffs may be looking to fill holes in their collection this holiday season, but those who can hold off until the new year could be in store for a real treat. That’s because Broad Arrow Auctions is selling off a stunning collection of over 100 of the most desirable cars in history with no reserve in February.
The cars bound for the auction block are all part of the world-famous Academy of Art University Automobile Museum collection. It’s made up of pre- and post-war American, British, and European vehicles that have been meticulously curated over the years— first by the San Francisco college’s second president, Dr. Richard Alan Stephens, and then his daughter, its third president, Dr. Elisa Stephens.
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing coupé
Robin Adams/Broad Arrow Auctions
The Academy of Art University has decided that now is the time to begin whittling down the collection and share its wealth with other collectors. The college isn’t just getting rid of its dregs, either, as some truly special vehicles built between the years of 1927 and 2000 from brands as varied as AC and Volvo.
Of particular note is a matching-numbers 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing coupé finished in a marvelous coat of Strawberry Red Metallic that comes with a matching two-piece set of luggage. It’s expected to fetch between $1.2 million and $1.5 million. If your taste runs a little more vintage, there’s also a one-off 1933 Chrysler Custom Imperial Dual-Windshield Phaeton with Coachwork by LeBaron. It’s believed to be the final Series CL Custom Imperial Dual-Windshield Phaeton built and was LeBaron designer Ralph Roberts’s personal car. It’s estimated to go for between $900,000 and $1.2 million.
1933 Chrysler Custom Imperial Dual-Windshield Phaeton with Coachwork by LeBaron
Robin Adams/Broad Arrow Auctions
There is also a one-of-50 1931 Minerva AL convertible, a 1932 Marmon Sixteen convertible originally owned by J. Paul Getty, a 1934 Packard Twelve 1108 Victoria owned by Cesar Romero, and one of the last 1937 Squire 1 1/2-Liter drophead coupes, each of which is expected to sell for anywhere between $300,000 and $600,000.
“The overall quality of the cars is impeccable, and Dr. Stephens and the Academy staff have been meticulous caretakers over the last several decades,” Broad Arrow’s senior car specialist, Caroline Cassini, told Robb Report. “There are so many moments of timeless design offered within the collection, and as we often see with important collector cars, nearly every car has a special story to share.”
The standalone auction will be held on Saturday, Feb. 15, in San Francisco. If any of the following has caught your attention, reach out to the auction house now for further information.
