The finest automotive masterpieces: Broad Arrow presents a collection of outstanding designs

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Every now and again, one gets to have a glimpse inside a collection which takes one's breath away, and so it is with the cars amassed over time by Dr. Richard Alan Stephens and his daughter Dr. Elisa Stephens. They are indicative of a natural and refined eye for good design, which is only to be expected in light of the Stephens family's position in the design world. Richard S. Stephens, a painter for Sunset magazine, founded the Académie of Advertising Art (now the Academy of Art University) in San Francisco in 1929 and occupied the post of president until 1951. He was succeeded by his son, Richard Alan, and Elisa in turn took over the post in 1992.

Richard Jr. and Elisa started to collect cars seriously in the 1990s, starting with a 1929 Packard, and as the collection grew, so was the Academy of Art University Automobile Museum established. Now, over 100 cars from the Stephens' collection are to be made available in a no-reserve sale conducted by Broad Arrow on February 15th, and there dozens spanning the period 1927 to 1942. We have selected a few favourites.

1931 Invicta S-type coupé ($450,000-650,000)
The car we'd most like to slot into the PreWarCar.com motor house is the fantastically rakish Invicta, one of only 77 of the low-slung, 4½-litre S-type models produced and 56 survivors, but the only coupé ever built. Chassis S57 was bodied by the factory and, though the cockpit looks a tight squeeze, it's not difficult to imagine a hardy driver and navigator battling through the night on the Monte Carlo Rally, their big Lucas lamps doing their best to break through an Alpine blizzard. Although no longer finished in its original red and dark green, S57 looks most handsome in a very period bright blue, having been acquired from France's André Trigano Collection in 2011 and then fully restored in California. It won an award at Pebble Beach in 2015 and might scoop another if it is shown again in 2025, as Pebble Beach will host a special class celebrating Invicta's centenary.

1933 Chrysler Custom Imperial dual-cowl phaeton by LeBaron ($900,000-1,200,000)
This Chrysler is a likely star of the sale, on account of both its exquisite coachwork and impressive provenance. The LeBaron automotive design consultancy was founded in 1920 by Raymond Dietrich and Tom Hibbard, but Ralph Roberts joined them as a stylist very shortly afterwards. Hibbard, however, departed in 1923 and Dietrich did likewise the next year, leaving Roberts in control. The business then expanded into coachbuilding, but in 1927 was acquired by the Briggs Manufacturing Co., which mass-produced bodies for mass-produced chassis. Roberts continued to run LeBaron as the more prestigious arm of Briggs, which had a close relationship with Chrysler, and in the early '30s, a top-of-the-range Chrysler Imperial with LeBaron dual-cowl phaeton body became one of the most prestigious cars a few "greenbacks" could buy. The car for sale was the last Imperial LeBaron dual-cowl phaeton completed, and to an extra-bespoke specification, for it was to become Mr. Roberts's own personal car. Distinctive features included dual rear-mounted spare wheels, fender skirts, lowered headlamps and "French disc" wheel covers. Roberts kept it until 1942, and postwar it passed through a number of significant collections, including Otis Chandler's. It has collected numerous concours awards, and doubtless has many more up its sleeve.

1937 Squire 1½-Litre roadster by Corsica ($400,000-600,000)
If you miss out on the Invicta, there's another supremely elegant British sports car to be had. Young Adrian Squire envisaged the perfect sports car and may very well have achieved it, but with a shortage funds, he never completed more than seven cars, and then three more were produced following a takeover in 1936 by Swedish steel heir Val Zethrin. Uniquely, chassis 1063 was bodied with great panache by Corsica, and sold new to Mr. Geoffrey Munro, but it was more notably owned during the war by racing driver and arch-sports-car enthusiast Cameron Millar. The bodywork underwent some modifications after the car reached America in 1984, and it, too, is a veteran of Pebble Beach and other major concours. It would be wonderful to see it on a few more concours lawns henceforth... or even being enjoyed out on the road.

1938 Buick Roadmaster Series 80 opera brougham by Fernandez et Darrin ($250,000-350,000)
The Buick appeals particularly on account of its unusual and (by late 1930s standards) charmingly antiquated formal coachwork. The Buick in particular is a very special car, with "Dutch" Darrin succeeding in bringing the old-fashioned brougham body in step with contemporary streamlining trends. Shown originally at the 1938 Paris Auto Salon, it was bought new by Polish Countess Max de Polska, or Sandra Plankinton, who shipped it to America and reputedly used it for travelling between her respective summer and winter estates at Long Island and Palm Beach. It entered enthusiast ownership in 1972 and was restored in the 1990s.

1939 Packard Super Eight brougham by Derham ($50,000-75,000)
For something similar but slightly less extravagant, this Packard also has great appeal. It was built for the French-born Metropolitan Opera soprano Lily Pons, who arrived on Broadway in 1931 and, in 1938, married conductor André Kostelanetz. The couple retained the car until they separated in the 1950s and sold it to an acquaintance. We particularly admire this car because it has not had a concours restoration. Thought it has received some paintwork and new upholstery over time, it is in many respects a highly original vehicle and we very much hope bidders will appreciate it as such.

1935 Ford V8 convertible sedan with teardrop caravan ($40,000-60,000)
The Stephens collected a few cars at the more mass-produced end of the spectrum, including assorted Lincolns, Cadillacs, Buicks and Fords, but one we find especially attractive is the 1935 Ford with a period teardrop trailer. There's nothing fancy about it—convertible sedans are not especially rare and certainly not exotic—but paired with the trailer, it represents a delightfully nostalgic portal into 1930s Middle America. Never mind the concours cars—wouldn't this be a lovely way of spending a summer holiday?

1934 American Austin panel van ($8,000-12,000)
Finally, we arrive at the entry-level lot, which is as appealing to us as many of the higher-end ones. This rather quaint Austin Seven-based van is a real rarity, and although seemingly lacking in history, it isn't difficult to imagine it in use as a delivery van for a general store in some small Oregon town. The interior has been partially refurbished and, while the van is described as being a restoration project, we think it would be a shame to go too far. The white paint looks all the better for its patina, and old vans feel a lot more authentic when they're allowed to mellow.

The Academy of Art University Collection is to be sold in San Francisco, California, on February 15th. Click here to see more lots.

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