Dan Kruse to offer Texas museum treasures
In an announcement that includes a country music legend, a billionaire, a countess and a few racing trophies,Dan Kruse Classics will offer 87 vehicles at auction, many without reserves and…
In an announcement that includes a country music legend, a billionaire, a countess and a few racing trophies,Dan Kruse Classics will offer 87 vehicles at auction, many without reserves and many with ties to some of the world’s most fabled personalities and historical events. The collection of respected businessman and philanthropist Dick Burdick will be offered Saturday, March 3, 2012, in Rosansky, Texas, outside of Bastropand near Austin at the Central Texas Museum of Automotive History. (A preview will be held Feb. 17.) For the first time ever, this extensive collection at the Central Texas Museum of Automotive History Collection will go on the auction block, giving collectors of fine automobiles and memorabilia a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. After 32 years, Burdick will be moving his facility to his hometown of San Marcos, Texas, giving way to the auction of these fine automobiles.
The sale will include historical automobiles such as a 1903 Stanley steamer runabout to the fabled 1970 Rolls-Royce Silver Show long-wheelbase limousine owned by the “man in black” himself, Johnny Cash, and a 1969 Chevrolet Corvair coupe with just 14 miles.
Other highlights of the sale include a 1905 Lorraine & De Dietrich VDC two-seat racer from the Great Race, a 1935 Rolls-Royce Phantom II touring vehicle from the Great Race, a 1911 very rare Napier garden car, a 1901 Holsman Model 54 highwheeler rear-entry tonneau , a 1948 Pontiac Silver Streak 8 Torpedo convertible, 1933 Duesenberg J-365 “Queen of Diamonds” sports sedan, a 1913 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost town car once owned by billionaire Cornelius Vanderbilt, a 1906 International-Harvester depot hack and many more.
"Anyone who is at all interested in the history of our country and its people will have a natural fascination with the automobile, not only for its mechanical development, but also for the men and women who had the foresight and ingenuity to begin its development. Just look at the impact the automobile has had on society, not only in our country but around the world. This is why we find the preservation of the automobile so important to this and future generations." said Dick Burdick, founder.
The Central TexasMuseum of Automotive History was founded by Dick Burdick in 1980 and was dedicated to the collection, restoration, education and preservation of historic automobiles, accessories and historical data. Burdick built a one-of-a-kind collection which traces the development of the automobile and its effect on the social and economic climate of much of the world. It traces the evolution of the high-wheelers and steam buggies of the turn of the century through the boxy utilitarian cars of the late teens and twenties. It includes the classic cars of the 20s, 30s, and 40s, the dream machines and land yachts of the 50s, 60s, and 70s and the highly efficient aerodynamic sport and passenger cars. The collection also includes excellent examples of European estate cars, town cars, limousines and sports cars. Included in the sale will also be a large selection of memorabilia and collectibles.
Other cars being auctioned include a 1906 International Harvester Truck, 1910 Empire Little Aristrocrat Sportabout, a 1921 Studebaker 4DR Touring Car, a 1930 Cadillac “Madam X” V-16 Rumbleseat two-door sedan, a 1939 Mercury Eight convertible, a 1949 Super Deluxe Ford coupe, a 1950 Packard Custom sedan, a 1972 Triumph Stag and many more. A full list of all the cars to be auctioned can be found at www.dankruseclassics.com
AUCTION PREVIEW:
Friday, February 17 through March 2, 2012. 10am – 5pm (Sundays 12 N – 5pm CST).
AUCTION DATE:
Saturday, March 3, 2012 at 10am PST
Located at the Central Texas Museum of Automotive History
2502 Highway 304 in Smithville, Texas
Absentee and Phone Bids accepted and are available. Call 1-866-495-8111 for information or to register.
Hi-res images of all vehicles being offered available upon request. Email caroline@m2mpr.com for request. An online catalog is available at www.dankruseclassics.com or interested bidders can request a catalog by calling 1-866-495-8111 or email tiffany@kruseclassics.com
ABOUT DAN KRUSE: Dan Kruse, Chairman of Dan Kruse Classics is an auctioneer, successful businessman and collector with over 40 years experience. Named by Auction World Magazine as one of the top “Most Influential Auctioneers” in the world, Kruse combines a spirit for collecting with an incredible wealth of knowledge regarding the industry. Kruse began his auction career at the age of 18 in Auburn, Indiana. He later moved to San Antonio, Texas where he has been for the last 30 years. Kruse currently oversees Dan Kruse Classics, a collector classic car auction house and Kruse Asset Management, a private brokerage firm specializing in oilfield equipment. During his 40+ years as an auctioneer, Daniel has converted billions at auction throughout the world and has represented museums, collectors, classic car owners and automobile enthusiasts while providing appraisals, sales, liquidations and advice.
ABOUT DAN KRUSE CLASSICS:Dan Kruse Classics is a family-owned collector car auction company located in San Antonio, Texas. DKC has been responsible for successful collector car sales since 1972. Each year the company participates in multiple auction events in Texas and the U.S. Dan Kruse Classics is privately held and is managed by Dan as well as his daughters Tiffany, Tedra and Tara. Website is www.dankruseclassics.com
ABOUT DICK BURDICK:
When one begins to describe Dick Burdick of San Marcos, Texas many words come to mind. Successful businessman, avid classic car collector, museum curator, community leader are only a few of the accolades Burdick has earned during his over 50 years in business. He is the founder of Thermon Manufacturing Company, Inc. a powerhouse in the heat tracing business which manufactures electric and steam heat tracing equipment for the petrochemical, oil and gas, engineering and power industries in the United States and internationally. Thermon Industries went Public in 2010 and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. .
Aside from his established corporate career, Burdick's passion for collecting classic cars has resulted in him owning one of the best car collections in the world. It is so extensive that he opened two museums over his years of collecting, the Central Texas Museum of Automotive History which opened in 1981 in Bastrop County near Rosanky, Texas and Dick's Classic Garage in San Marcos, Texas which he opened in 2009. Burdick opened the non-profit museums to give visitors a chance to experience the American dream and see excellent examples of European estate cars, town cars, limousines, sports cars and those American made classic cars which bring back memories from the bygone days of yesterday. The museum collections also includes a variety of early automotive tools, gas pumps, hood ornaments, oil company signs, license plates from around the world and equipment. Dick Burdick is also the Chairman of the Boy Scout's International which has taken him around the world where he has met members of the Royal family and dignitaries from various countries. This continues to be one of his most proud achievements in addition to dedicating much of his time and resources to preserving American History through the display and refurbishing of antique and classic automobiles.
Press Contact:
Caroline Galloway
M2M PR
(440) 591-3807
Angelo Van Bogart is the editor of Old Cars magazine and wrote the column "Hot Wheels Hunting" for Toy Cars & Models magazine for several years. He has authored several books including "Hot Wheels 40 Years," "Hot Wheels Classics: The Redline Era" and "Cadillac: 100 Years of Innovation." His 2023 book "Inside the Duesenberg SSJ" is his latest. He can be reached at avanbogart@aimmedia.com
