Month in Motoring, September 2025
The Resurgence of Early Autos
Something old is new again. This is a saying that may have many meanings, but when it comes to collecting cars, the Stan Lucas car collection auctioned by Gooding Christie’s grabs that saying by the wheel.
The Evolution of Car Collecting
It’s a fact that car collecting goes in cycles. Every few years, different makes and models, years built, and countries of origin come and go in favor. Looking back at the start of the hobby in the 1930s, turn-of-the-century cars were the most popular. This was partly because they were no older than 35 years. More importantly, cars of that era were incredible works of machinery and art. In the early years of the motor car, there were no wrong answers. Anything was possible. If you think Teslas are something new, an electric Riker held the land speed record of 57mph in 1901. Early cars ranged from tiny to massive, from affordable to cars that only Vanderbilts could own. The range was amazing then, and it still is today.
Shifting Collector Preferences
As time went on, these early cars fell out of favor with collectors, replaced by classics of the 1930s, then by 1950s era cars like Corvette and Bel Air. In the 1990s, collectors turned their attention to 1960s European exotics like Ferrari and Porsche, along with American muscle cars like the Hemi Super Bee and ZL1 Camaro. The cars that founded the collector car hobby were pushed to the back of the building and put on blocks. The Horseless Carriage Club of America saw membership fall, while other clubs focusing on more modern collector cars, grew. As recently as a few years ago, the thought that turn-of-the-century cars would ever come back in favor was in doubt.
The Stan Lucas Collection
But something old is new again. Stan Lucas was one of the original car collectors and focused on great early cars. His collection was well known for quality and performance. His cars were not just for museums; they were restored to drive. When Gooding announced they would be selling the collection, there was doubt about interest in the sale. Little interest means low prices; high interest means high prices. The sale beat all expectations.
Record-Breaking Auction Results
The total sold was nearly $34 million, an astounding sum for any private collection. But a closer look told a bigger story. The sale was dominated by brass cars, steam cars, and 1920s sports cars, eras that were thought to be just memories. If someone had said the sale would include a car selling for over $5 million, the first thought would be that it was a historic Ferrari or a similar make. But in this case, it was a 1911 Oldsmobile Limited, one of the biggest cars ever built and a true piece of art.
Next on the list was a 1924 Doble, a rare make that perfected the science of steam. This one hammered for $2.2 million, a staggering sum. Next on the list was a 1909 Simplex, heading home to the new owner after selling for $1.6 million. Then came a 1912 Mercer 35-C Raceabout. At $1.3 million, it was the bargain of the sale. Considered America’s first sports car —just take off the fenders and go racing—it was a beautiful example and worth every penny. And by the way, the gas pedal is on the OUTSIDE of the car, along the frame, another unique feature.
Looking to the Future
Was this auction predicting a new era of early cars in demand by collectors? I hope so, but only time will tell. What will happen for sure is that many of these great cars once relegated to the back of the building will now move a little closer to the garage door.
Happy Motoring.
