A few weeks ago, we featured one of the cooler conversions we’ve ever seen, with the inclusion of the one-off “Cruiseaire” that belonged wit to the estate of one Royce G. Kershaw, Jr. As anyone could deduct looking at the background photos, there was plenty more in the collection beyond one solitary mobile office conversion, and the full listing has come out with a boatload more desirable classics, both of the automotive and locomotive sort. It’s clear Kershaw and his father had an eye for the weird and wonderful, but that’s not to say they didn’t love a performance car or two like this 1971 De Tomaso Pantera listed as a true one-owner example here on the auctioneer’s website with a mere 12,000 miles on the clock.
In case you thought the Kershaw clan was satisfied with just creating one custom camper, here’s evidence that they were not: yet another custom motorhome, this one built by Kershaw, Sr. and featuring a hand-built, all-aluminum body with a stretched Ford (Econonline?) front fascia. The listing notes that Kershaw has a goal of marketing his one-off vehicle as well-suited for “….”all sportsman, family adventures, vacations and for group tours.” It could supposedly reach a top speed of 101 miles per hour and cruise contently at 90, at least by his own estimates. I wonder if the interior was finished to the same standard as the Cruiseaire.
This 1959 Cadillac Fleetwood Seventy-Five limousine was purchased new by the state of Alabama for transporting the governor, and used by several administrations throughout its tour of duty. The 390-powered limo is said to be in highly original condition and in good running order, maintained by the younger Kershaw for the many years it has been in storage. The car has an interesting history beyond who it used to transport, with the auctioneer providing an anecdote about one retired governor’s family indicating it should have been given to their sibling instead of being put up for public auction. When the state’s finance director used his own money to buy the car and present it to the former governor, the retiree indicated he had no interest in the car and was unclear where his sibling got the notion that he wanted it!
The Kershaws were known for their love of trains as much as their love of cars, and the collection includes an incredible 1913 Baldwin 2-6-0 Mogul steam locomotive and tender, as well as this novelty piece from a local amusement park. The 1945 G-16 Train engine features 12 passenger cars and 1000′ (M/L) of railroad track. Kershaw, Sr. supposedly used this at his personal residence before it was retired into storage. The father and son duo certainly enjoyed a shared passion for the hobby, and this eclectic collection represents just how much fun an obsession with four-wheeled transport can turn out to be. What will you be bidding on?
Really cool collection
I love all this weird, wacky, and different stuff we do not see everyday. .Awesome ! .🤪🤪
I used to work for the Kershaws in the late 70’s. Royce Kershaw, Sr. pretty much invented most railroad trackwork machinery, and I served as a machinist in the Kershaw manufacturing facility in Montgomery. Sr. was gone by that time, and the operation was owned and run by his sons, Royce Jr. and Knox Kershaw. These photos were taken in the old plant that I worked in, on Fairview Avenue in Montgomery. They were real fine folks to work for. I remember Royce Jr’s engagement and wedding, and other events of that time. I had seen these small trains on their property, and some of the other things mentioned. They could well afford to build custom anything, as the manufacturing plant had a full engineering staff, as well as every kind of machinery you could imagine. Brings back a lot of memories – and sad to hear that Royce Jr. has become an “estate”. RIP – hope his brother is still with us. Really great people.
Thanks for posting. I love to hear stories about these collections that end up going to auction.
The Pantera looks awesome; the stretched Econoline, not so much. And I’m figuring out where to park that limo. Still worth looking into.
About a year ago I saw a video with Richard Rawlings on his Gas Monkey Garage YouTube channel buy several cars from the collection. The building was packed full of interesting car, most of which aren’t listed in the auction. It wouldn’t be surprising if they had several dealers and collectors come through and cherry pick what they wanted. That is not criticism, it’s the smart thing to do and is done when clearing almost every estate.
Steve R