One Man’s (Car) Collection - Lots of Clocks and other stuff

[Duracuir1]

I had the privilege of visiting mega car collector and philanthropist Steve Plunkett and his toys today.

About 20 years ago, while on patrol, I saw a very nice Buick being driven on snow covered roads.

It looked like Kojak’s car…

Reason for the stop? Nobody in their right mind would drive that in snow. Too nice. Must be stolen.

The driver pulled over (first hint that it was not stolen). It was Steve Plunkett.

He thanked me for being nosey enough to pull him over. Nosey cops get results… Following a nice chat, he told me to drop in anytime and he would show me his classic cars.

I never did stop in, until today.

These are true classics. Prototypes, autorama models, Hollywood props, even King Edward’s car after he gave up his throne for love.

We started in his underground garage. This garage is linked by tunnel to another building on the 100 plus acre property.

The door to the tunnel holds signatures from countless celebrities and personalities who have visited over the years. See photos. Our tour then took us to an adjacent building that houses true classics. Pebble Beach and Amelia Island Concours car.

Our host Steve is very passionate about each car in his collection. A very down to earth man. If you’re into cars, he can talk cars with you all day. If you’re not into cars, I am pretty sure he’ll talk cars with you all day. I located a couple time keepers but was unable to get good shots. Car guy… not a watch guy. These next photos are all from one building, one of several and I would have needed more time. I only visited two structures. Hum… time to inspect some leather straps… they are perfect, like the cars. Here’s looking at you… damn photo bomber! More… Next building…this one housing lots of clocks, advertisement, a car owned by Johnny Cash (not the one he built out of stolen parts!). Van Johnson’s car and so much more. See next post. I have reached the 100 photo limit. Pretty amazing that OF can handle this many…

 

[Duracuir1]

Some guy kept photo bombing me. Oh well.

I hope you enjoyed it.

 

[noelekal]

I'll "enjoy it" for days!

It's going to require time to have a nosey around within the details of your fabulous photographs!

Thank you for sharing!

 

[Arancio601]

ok wow. Very impressive collection. Obviously US-centric, I don't think I realized the depth of the Cadillac song book.

 

[Watch my Whisky]

I need an El Camino.

Thanks for sharing!

 

[pdxleaf]

All those cars and he's driving the Buick!

I almost traded my 1970 Corvette for two of those El Caminos. Should've traded as I wrecked tge Corvette later. Would have had a spare car.

 

[Duracuir1]

pdxleaf

All those cars and he's driving the Buick!

I almost traded my 1970 Corvette for two of those El Caminos. Should've traded as I wrecked tge Corvette later. Would have had a spare car.

The Buick was his winter car. But he drives 2 to 3 cars every day. He drives them all, or at least runs the engines. He has exhaust hoses throughout.

As he spoke about his cars, he touched them, knocked on body panels to show how thick they are and generally treated them like daily drivers.

Simply fantastic.

 

[Canuck]

A chap named Fred Phillips, locally, has a warehouse with racks of prototype autos, “first of” autos, one of a kind autos, and on and on it goes. One of his cars is this mid-50s Fiat coupe that once belonged to actress Lana Turner. One of my favourites in his collection is the one-of-a-kind prototype AMC AMX that was hand built in Italy in about 1966. Built n only 78 days, and had many features that never did appear on any production model AMC auto. Today, in Phillip’s collection, it is painted a drab tan colour.