Auction set for Chandler collection (LA Times founder auto collection)

Ventura County Star ^ | 9/14/06 | Charles Levin and Zeke Barlow,

[BurbankKarl]

Otis Chandler's one-of-a-kind car and motorcycle collection will likely draw auto enthusiasts and their fat checkbooks from around the globe when 100 rare vehicles go on the auction block next month.

The late Los Angeles Times publisher and Ojai resident collected some of the world's most expensive cars, stashing them in a rarely opened Oxnard museum. The collection includes a 1904 Mercedes 40/45 Sports Touring, a 1934 Packard Two Place Coupe and a 1931 Duesenberg J Special Phaeton by LeBaron.

The collection could be one of the largest auctions in automotive history, with some 100-year-old cars expected to fetch well over $1 million each.

"Usually in a collection, when you liquidate it, there are one or two great items," said David Gooding, whose Santa Monica company is orchestrating the auction. "Every one of these great items is the best of its category. It's one of the finest in the world."

Chandler always planned on selling his Vintage Museum of Transportation and Wildlife collection after his death, and he wanted the cars and cycles to go to other avid collectors.

"We felt the auction would be the best way to pass on these collector items," said his wife, Bettina Chandler, of Ojai.

Proceeds from the auction, which could raise as much as $25 million, will be invested back into the family, she said.

[digger48]

[BurbankKarl]

http://www.chandlerwheels.com/

Auction Website

[digger48]

1907 Strap Tank Single

[geezerwheezer]

You know, I would go to the auction but I promised my wife I would straighten out my sock drawer that day. Darn, if I'd only knwn earlier! (please do not notice drooling and jealous thoughts here!)

[Attention Surplus Disorder]

Astoundingly cool old cars...I'd be afraid to own one.

The bio of Otis Chandler is quite fascinating, btw. Olympic athlete, started the LA Times (an entirely different paper then and until recently than it is now) Quite the character.

[Attention Surplus Disorder]

I misspoke....Otis Chandler did not start the LA Times, the Ventura article says he ran the paper from about 1960 to 1980. But I think I read somewhere he tripled or quadrupled the circulation.

[100-Fold_Return]

This anti-American socialist pinko shudda been helping the poor and destitute...instead of buying all those gas-guzzlers heating our planet up uncontrollably.

You shoulda rode the bus, you LA Slimes hypocrit.

[BurbankKarl]

The LA Times was pretty conservative when he owned it