Treasure Trove of Antique and Classic Cars Coming to Auction

Read the full story on Modern Car Collector

You may not know Stan Lucas’ name, but any fan of prewar cars will tell you about his massively significant private collection of Brass and Nickel era cars. Headquartered in a warehouse in Long Beach, California, the collection houses many rarely seen marques such as Duesenbergs, Dobles, Mercer Raceabouts, Stutz Bearcats, Wills Sainte Claires and countless others sure to provide a spectacle for enthusiasts.

Throughout his life, Lucas was a dear friend and loyal client of Gooding Christie’s. Now, over 70 of his cars and a multitude of automobilia will go on sale for The Stan Lucas Collection Auction at Lucas Classic Tires on September 20th. The entire collection will be offered without reserve, so take some time to comb through the catalogueand register to bid once you inevitably find one you love. Here are some of our favorites:

1934 Duesenberg Model J Disappearing-Top Roadster by Murphy (Estimate: $3,000,000 - $3,500,000)

The elusive Duesenberg represents the pinnacle of Art Deco design (hello, Old Sport!). Rarer still are the spectacular ones, in particular, the "Model J." This Model J is one of approximately three Disappearing-Top examples fitted with dual rear spares. It also retains its original eight-cylinder engine, chassis, and firewall, per Duesenberg; The Mightiest American Motor Car by J.L. Elbert, and is without a doubt one of the most striking, sporting, and desirable of all Duesenbergs.

1930 Bentley Speed Six Sports Tourer by Vanden Plas (Estimate: $1,750,000 - $2,250,000)

The Bentley Boys defined an era of brave endurance racing. At the forefront of this was Woolf Barnato, whose consecutive wins of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1929 and 1930 cemented the sporting Vanden Plas-bodied Speed Six as a guise to be copied by generations of enthusiasts. In actuality, Speed Sixes were one of the rarest models Bentley ever produced, delivering a little more than 180 examples, of which only modest numbers were equipped with Vanden Plas' iconic fabric touring bodies. Yet due to their fragile nature, few survive. This car, which has resided in the Stan Lucas Collection since 1980, is one of those fabulously rare cars, and is a highly original example in green with matching numbers and many period finishes.

1909 Simplex 50 HP Toy-Tonneau by Holbrook (Estimate: $1,750,000 - $2,500,000)

The Lucas Collection really offers the entire suite of every significant prewar American marque, and this Simplex is no exception. As a formidable sporting car, road versions of the Simplex could easily top 80 mph — not that the roads at the time were prepared for such speeds — due to its 50 hp T-head engine at nearly 10 liters, making it beloved by the wealthy few who could afford to purchase it. This particular model is in remarkable condition, featuringa four-cylinder T head engine, dual chain drive, four-speed gearbox, and two wheel mechanical brakes.

1912 Mercer Type 35C Raceabout (Estimate: $1,500,000 - $2,250,000)

The Mercer pairs perfectly with the Simplex as another cornerstone to any early American collection. Make no mistake — this car is definitely an antique. However, with its four-cylinder, T-head, large displacement engine, this Mercer continues to be a formidable presence on roads and racetracks alike. It is one of the most highly coveted cars in the world, with very few examples having ever been offered at public auction…until now.

1911 Oldsmobile Limited Series 27 Seven-Passenger Touring (Estimate: $1,500,000 - $2,500,000)

One may look at this colossal automobile and think that it provides a slower, less responsive driving experience but that’s not at all the case. Though comfort seems to be the top priority with its seven roomy seats, this Oldsmobile is one of Olds Motor Works’ masterpieces. In addition to being in low-mileage condition, this car has so many original features, such as its dual running boards which facilitate easier climbing atop the vehicle. With its six-cylinder engine, this car is ready for rallies for years to come.

1930 Packard Model 734 Speedster Runabout (Estimate: $1,200,000 - $1,500,000)

No American collection would be complete without a stunning Packard like this one. Experts believe there are only about six original 734 Speedster Runabouts with fully-known history and original components extant today. If you like your cars with a little extra background, you’re in luck, because this one comes with a robust historical file to dive into. Naturally, the car is technically impressive as well, with a high-compression eight-cylinder engine, four-speed manual gearbox, and 145 BHP at 3,400 RPM. The beautiful deep red color makes it a standout on any concours lawn.

Stan Lucas was renowned within the collecting hobby for his unparalleled taste, and his curation remains a constant throughout the sale. If you’re ready to see what else Gooding Christie’s has to offer for this auction and others, check out their website and register to bid.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter