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The Howard Baker Estate Auction

1937 Cord 812 Beverly

While I find estate sales to be a bit depressing, I always enjoy going to them. It’s not that I think I’m going to find a killer deal; I just enjoy seeing a collection of cars pulled out of long term seclusion and brought back into the public eye. In some ways, the memory of the late owner is remembered for ever in the cars they collected, restored, maintained, and drove. With his passing back in June, Senator Howard Baker’s family has decided to auction off his collection. What it lacks in quantity, it makes up for in quality. The auction is scheduled to take place March 14th at the University of Tennessee and is being handled by the Furrow Auction Company. For those that live on the other side of the country, online bidding will also take place here on proxibid. Special thanks to Alan F for the tip!

1941 Lincoln Continental Coupe

Whether you liked or disliked the late former Tennessee Senator, you have to appreciate and respect his collection of classic cars. Senator Baker’s collection included some very nice and desirable cars, including a lovely 1937 Cord 812 Beverly and a 1941 Lincoln Continental Coupe. The collection also includes two eclectic finds, a Hudson Hornet Convertible and a Studebaker Champion G-10. To be honest, I would even be happy to have his Ford Galaxie 500XL or his ’63 Lincoln Continental Convertible. Clearly, the Senator has good taste in cars and it seems he appreciated big American classics and obscure oddballs all the same.

1951 Studebaker Champion G-10

I hope these cars find good homes, where they will be used and enjoyed. If this collection weren’t on the other side of the country, I would go simply to see the Cord and the Lincolns. Hopefully one of our readers in the area will be able to make it and take some photos for everyone! So which, if any, of the Senator’s cars would you like to park in your driveway?

Comments

  1. Avatar Charles

    That is one sweet collection!

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  2. Avatar Paul B

    Wonderful collection. He clearly appreciated excellent, unusual design and engineering. I’d love that Champion and the Hudson ragtop, plus the ’41 Continental. Not that I’m in the market right now with this to care for. But looking’s nice.

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  3. Avatar John

    Man, that Hudson is GORGEOUS! With the twin H to boot.

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  4. Avatar RickyM

    Beautiful cars stored in a gorgeous garage. Obviously a very well cared for collection.

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  5. Avatar jim s

    should be interesting to watch the bidding on these. both the hudson and 63 linclon are still below $100. great finds

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  6. Avatar St.Ramone de V8

    Have to say, it’s kind of sad that we sometimes get to see such beautiful cars only once the owner passes. How many small collections of automotive art are out there, waiting to be revealed only after the family offers them up to the world? I get that many guys want to enjoy their peices only within a group of friends and family, but they deserve, in my opinion, to be seen and enjoyed. I understand that people find themselves with health issues, so the cars become peripheral. Really, it’s a sad situation that is going to continue. Nothing wrong with selling off Grandpa’s old cars, but I cringe at the thought of all the opportunists out there exploiting these situations. Car clubs, and experienced advice should always have a place in such cases. This isn’t really likely the case here, but it’s happening often, and it concerns me. Nice collection here, if I had my choice I’d take the Galaxie.

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  7. Avatar vince habel

    The Starlight coupe for sure. I had a 50 many years ago.

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  8. Avatar Scott Allison

    The Cord! MY PRECIOUS!!!!

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  9. Avatar Jim McGill

    Beautiful cars. Very well displayed.

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  10. Avatar Chris in WNC

    easy decision.
    the Studebaker…….

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  11. Avatar Jerry Watkins

    Howard Baker was a classy guy. Not surprising that he had a classy collection of cars.

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  12. Avatar charlie Member

    The Lincoln – the V 12 had the sweetest burble exhaust sound ever made –

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  13. Avatar gunningbar

    I always ruminate on how the politicians acquire their wealth……somehow they all seem to die rich.

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  14. Avatar Brian

    Having grown up a Tennessean, as well as a Studebaker nut, I’d always heard that Baker owned a Bullet Nosed Studebaker, but this is the first time I’ve ever seen it! Thanks for posting this!

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  15. Avatar Tim

    Hello, I bought the 1951 Studebaker G10….although my preference was the Hawk line of the 1959 Era….the 1937 Cord Beverly 812 Custom was the other car I bid on. Sad thing according to the news is the final value for the items as the Auctioneer’s Premium fees were added on in most cases. The Studebaker was purchased for $17,000 with a $1700 buyers premium added. Similar for the Cord that sold for $69,000 with a buyers premium of $6900 to total $75,900.

    Now sitting in my garage it will bring a few miles of enjoyment! Local to the Knox county area it will be seen again by those with memory!

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  16. Avatar Charles

    Congrats Tim!

    Like 0

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