An Art School is selling 105 classic cars to begin their collection anew.

      Broad Arrow Auctions

      One of the more intriguing auction lots this year (and yes, I know it’s only February) is the car collection from the renowned Academy of Art University in San Francisco, which is up for auction without a reserve. The sale features over 100 vehicles, partly because today’s youth aren’t particularly interested in them.

      The collection has been assembled over several decades, starting with the late Dr. Richard A. Stephens, who was the university’s long-serving president, and later his daughter, Dr. Elisa Stephens. Elisa not only shared her father’s enthusiasm for classic cars but also recognized the need to “refresh the collection” with newer options, meaning she intends to “sell everything and start anew.” Approximately half of the vehicles included were manufactured before World War II, and students in the university’s automotive programs, be it design or restoration, study these cars as part of their education.

      Before getting frustrated with these students, reflect on your own preferences for cars in your youth, how they’ve changed over time, and what your children are drawn to today. If the university's mission is to educate and excite the new generation of artists about their projects, requiring them to engage with designs that don’t appeal to them is akin to heading in the wrong direction on a one-way street.

      Some notable vehicles from the Academy of Art's collection will be auctioned off later this month. Broad Arrow Auctions

      “Our students show much greater interest in muscle cars,” stated Jana Sue Memel, the school’s executive vice president of brand storytelling, in an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle. “The proceeds from the auction will be invested in American and Japanese muscle cars from the '60s to the '80s. Even students' parents are enthusiasts of muscle cars.”

      The upcoming generation, however, is seeking a different form of mobility.

      Dave Chiotti, newsletter editor for the Antique Automobile Club of America’s Redwood Empire region, suggests that today’s young automotive fans “have little interest in a 1930 Duesenberg. They are more inclined towards Teslas.”

      During school tours, Wayne Barnes, the academy’s museum curator, reported that students consistently ask, “Don’t you have cars that drive themselves?” He replies, “You don’t want to drive?” After years of advocating for manual transmissions, any child wishing to take the wheel, even if it’s not a stick shift, is a welcome sight.

      The transition in the museum's collection reflects current trends, and the university emphasizes that the auction isn’t indicative of any serious underlying issues. Memel informed the SF Chronicle that the vehicle sale was unrelated to falling car values, nor was it a response to the academy’s enrollment drop, legal issues, or accreditation troubles.

      She clarified that the enrollment decline stemmed from the COVID-19 pandemic and a general disinterest in four-year degree programs. To adapt, the Academy of Art introduced a two-year associate’s degree and enhanced its selection of online courses.

      Additionally, the evolution of the vehicle inventory has been a long-term initiative. According to Mission Local, since 2018, 56 vehicles have been sold across various auctions from Monterey to Indianapolis, bringing in nearly $9 million for the university.

      Broad Arrow Auctions is managing this current collection, and the auction catalog from the Academy of Art presents a range of options. There are high-value items, including a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Coupe estimated between $1.2 million and $1.5 million, along with a 1933 Chrysler Custom Imperial LeBaron valued at as much as $1.2 million. However, there is also a 1934 American Austin Panel Truck with a listing price of $8,000. Since there’s no minimum bid, these vehicles could potentially sell for minimal or maximum amounts.

      The auction will take place in San Francisco, with preview days set for February 13-15. Admission is $10 for individuals aged 16 and older. The auction will commence immediately following the preview hours.

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