Mecum Car Auction

Northwest Side garage full of hidden-gem classic, muscle cars to go on auction block

For decades, developer Larry Klairmont kept his collection of 300 cars in a warehouse. Now, the cars and other auto-related memorabilia are set to be sold.

The Klairmont Kollections Automotive Museum, 3117 N. Knox Ave., will close next month, and its collection of nearly 300 cars and road art go on the auction block Sept. 19-21.

In 1967, Larry Klairmont bought his first keepsake car, a 1951 Rolls-Royce.

By 1974, he had added a few more cars to his collection, including a 1946 Lincoln Mark II and a pair of other Lincolns from 1957 and 1965.

Years later, “He was buying cars by the dozens,” said his son, Alfred Klairmont.

At its peak, the collection totaled nearly 600 cars.

And they weren’t just ordinary cars. They include a gold-leaf plated 1920 Pierce Arrow; a custom blue-and-silver 1983 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur decked out in 1 million Swarovski crystals; and a futuristic, remote-control prototype 1956 Golden Sahara II with one-of-a-kind glowing tires. He even owned a replica Scooby-Doo Mystery Machine and a 1960 “Munsters” Coffinmobile.

Cars came and went, and Klairmont stored them all for decades, hidden in a half-mile-long industrial building in Belmont Cragin, which became the Klairmont Kollections Automotive Museum. For years, the museum was private. In 2019, Klairmont opened it to the public.

The museum has remained open since Larry Klairmont died in 2021 at 94, but it will close next month, and his collection of cars and memorabilia will be sold.

Bidders can buy any of the 275 vehicles and more than 1,000 pieces of road art and auto memorabilia during the Sept. 19-21 no-reserve auction overseen by Mecum Auctions at the Klairmont Kollections Automotive Museum, 3117 N. Knox Ave. A preview will be held Sept. 13-14.

The Golden Sahara II, with glowing Goodyear tires, was originally built by Hollywood car customizer George Barris.

“Now, the general collector car world is excited because they get to buy something that they thought they couldn’t have before, and now it’s available again, so it’s a great-size auction with a lot of excitement already,” said Gus Kozar, an assistant at Mecum Auctions.

Mecum Auctions, headed by Dana Mecum, also oversaw the sale of comedian Jerry Seinfeld’s Porsche 917K that was driven by Steve McQueen in the 1971 movie “Le Mans.” That car sold for an estimated $25 million. And the auction house handled the $3.74 million sale of the Ford Mustang GT driven by McQueen in the 1968 movie “Bullitt.”

‘Automobilia heaven’

From the outside, the Klairmont Kollections museum looks like any other brick industrial building. But packed inside its two floors are one-of-a-kind and antique vehicles — and full-scale model planes.

“This museum was an incredible showplace, loaded with unique, gorgeous collectible cars and all sorts of memorabilia on the walls and stunning attractions alongside the cars on the floor,” Alfred Klairmont said. “Anybody who visited this museum was absolutely floored at what a wonderful car collection and museum this was.”

The “Cucamonga Room” at the Klairmont Kollections Automobile Museum, 3117 N. Knox Ave., has a Southern California vibe.

Larry Klairmont was a World War II Marine veteran and founder of Imperial Realty Co., one of Chicago’s largest property management companies. But his car collection was his passion.

“He just dedicated himself in his later life to decorating the museum and filling the museum with unique and collectible cars. He enjoyed going to auctions and buying cars, and he just loved being in the museum,” said Alfred Klairmont, president and chief executive of Imperial Realty.

The elder Klairmont was known for being direct and commanding in a room. He was meticulous with his cars, restoring them and maintaining them.

One of the few people he allowed in when the museum was still private was Lou Costabile, an automotive YouTuber in Elgin who has traveled the United States and Canada to interview vehicle owners and review their collections.

The Muscle Car Room at the Klairmont Kollections Automotive Museum, 3117 N. Knox Ave., is filled with fast cars from the heyday of muscle cars from the late-’60s to the early ‘70s alongside cars from today.

Costabile, in essence, gave the public its first glimpse of the Klairmont Kollection Automotive Museum through his dozens of videos, including a 26-minute clip highlighting every vehicle in the collection.

“It has this amazing quality of surprising you and seeing something when you go through these doors in this warehouse of automobilia heaven that you’ll never see again and let alone under one roof,” Costabile said.

‘Larry’s Legacy Auction’ highlights

The Golden Sahara II, originally designed by Hollywood legend George Barris and featuring gold accents and special translucent-luminous Goodyear tires, headlines the auction, along with the luxurious 1926 Rickenbacker Eight Super Sport, which is “believed to be” the last of its kind, according to Mecum Auctions. The Rickenbacker was built by WWI flying ace Eddie Rickenbacker and features an airplane hood ornament and copper metalwork. Another Rickenbacker sold for $946,000 at a 2014 auction.

Among the hundreds of others are a replica Batmobile; Cadillacs; Corvettes; a 1919 Ford model fire engine; a 1972 Lamborghini Espada; Mustangs; a 1969 Oldsmobile Hurst/Olds; Rolls-Royces; race cars; Vespa scooters; and much more.

The 1956 Golden Sahara II was based on a 1953 Lincoln Capri and was designed by Hollywood car creator George Barris with gold trim and glowing Goodyear tires.

“It’s one of the greatest car collections that I’ve ever seen,” Costabile said. “Larry would collect a Chicago 1920 Model T police car, and you’re like, ‘Where do you find something like that? And why is it in such great condition?’”

The road art pieces and memorabilia for sale include metal signs, neon signs, engine displays, bicycles, replica jukeboxes, Batman statues, a Ronald McDonald statue, model planes and miniature cars.

The 1926 Rickenbacker Eight Super Sport, which is believed to be one of the last of its kind still existing. The car was built by WWI flying ace Eddie Rickenbacker and features an airplane hood ornament and copper trim. Another Rickenbacker sold for $946,000 at a 2014 auction.

“It’s a very significant move [because of] the size — 300 cars and 1,000-plus road art pieces, because it stems from a private collection, which is overwhelming with that amount, in addition to a not-for-profit museum type setting to have all this stuff and be offered to the community,” Kozar said.

He added that the museum board is developing a nonprofit foundation in honor of Larry Klairmont that will benefit youth educational programs.

Proceeds from the auction will go to the soon-to-be established foundation, a Mecum spokesperson said.

The Klairmont collection features airplanes, cars, road art. The collection will be sold without reserve in September.

Mecum Auctions

Join Mecum Auctions, host of The World’s Largest Collector Car Auction®, for a high-energy auction featuring 2,000 coveted classic and collector cars to be auctioned over five action-packed days, March 18-22. With on-site exhibitors, food and beverage options, a kids-only Adventure Zone and an entire sea of cars sure to inspire both nostalgia and awe, there is no limit to the fun to be had by families and individuals of all ages.

Gates Open: 8AM

Road Art Auction: 9 – 10AM

Collector Car Auction: 10AM – Close

DAILY SPECTATOR TICKET PRICING

Save 25% by purchasing tickets online in advance.* Plan ahead and enjoy special savings.

On-Site and Online Ticket Prices (Regular Pricing)

(Prices exclude taxes and fees. On-site purchases must be made
with a credit or debit card; cash is not accepted.)

Children 12 and younger always receive complimentary admission.
All ticket sales are final and nonrefundable.

*The advance discount applies exclusively to tickets purchased online before midnight local time of the auction location) the day prior to the first day of the auction event. Tickets purchased on or after the first day of the auction event, whether online or at the gate, will be sold at regular price.

Clear Bag Policy

The NFL Clear Bag Policy will be enforced for all events at State Farm Stadium. State Farm Stadium strongly recommends fans to not bring any bags, however the following will be permitted: One clear bag no larger than 12” x 6” x 12” or a standard one (1) gallon freezer bag. Please review the complete bag policy by clicking here.

Metal detector screening and a search of all bags and other items being carried in will take place at stadium gates. There are no provisions available at the stadium to store or safeguard any prohibited bags. Guests will be asked to return prohibited items to their cars.

The following items are not permitted inside State Farm Stadium. There are no provisions to store items not allowed through security and items cannot be held by security staff members.

• Aerosol Cans
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Family Friendly Information

Changing Stations

All men’s, women’s and family restrooms at State Farm Stadium are equipped with baby changing stations.

Diapers and wipes for all ages and sizes are available at all Guest Services Booths.

Entry Process Ticketing Information for Children

Ticketing – All guests age 2 older are required to have a ticket.

Family Specific Permitted Prohibited Items

• Permitted:
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  Family Restrooms

  Family restrooms are intended for the use of parents with small children and guests with disabilities, are outfitted with baby-changing tables and are ADA compliant. The family restrooms are located on the Main Level (near Section 102, 114, 124 136), Club Level (near Sections 204, 219, 230 247) and Terrace Level (near Sections 404, 421, 435 454.)

  Diapers and wipes for all ages and sizes are available at all Guest Services Booths.

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  Sensory Room

  A Sensory Room is located on the Main Concourse near the Guest Services Booth at Section 104. This sound-protected space includes sensory active wall displays, sensory toys, low lighting, bean bag chairs and sensory bags.

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  Privacy/Nursing Rooms are located on the Club Level in the elevator atrium at Section 2.

  Wheelchair assistance is available to guests upon entry into the stadium and is scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. Requests for wheelchair assistance can be made by asking a stadium staff member or by visiting a Guest Services Office located near Sections 104, 123, 417 and 448.

  The stadium will provide wheelchairs and a staff member to escort guests to their seats, but it is requested that mobility impaired patrons be accompanied by another adult in their party. Upon arrival at the seating location, guests are required to surrender wheelchairs to stadium staff.

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  State Farm Stadium is committed to creating a safe, comfortable and enjoyable experience for all fans at State Farm Stadium, Sportsman’s Park and throughout our parking areas. Our staff will promptly intervene to support an environment free from unruly or disruptive behavior including the following:

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  Source: https://www.statefarmstadium.com/events/detail/mecum-auctions-2025

  Mecum Auction

  The world leader in live auctions of collector cars, classic cars, corvettes, hot rods, street rods and muscle cars hits NRG Center this April 3-5!

  Parking

  Parking rate is $25+ tax per space at the gate.
  *Parking rates are subject to change without notice. No in and out access. Electronic or card payment is required at parking gates.

  ADA Parking will be available in All Lots.

  Know Before You Go

  • Located in NRG Center Halls A-E
  • Electronic or card payment is required at parking gates. This includes credit cards, Apple and Google Pay options
  • Parking rate is $25+ per space at the gate
    • *Parking rates are subject to change without notice
    • No in and out access

    Guest Experience

    For more information about NRG Park please check our A-Z Guide. For all other inquires please contact Guest Experience at [email protected].

    Accessible Parking

    Accessible parking spaces are available and located throughout NRG Park on a first-come, first-served basis. Accessible parking spaces are intended for vehicles with proper state issued placard or license plate in addition to the NRG Park paid parking pass. Ask parking staff to assist in directing you to the designated ADA section at the front of the lot. If you encounter any issues with parking or your event experience, contact Guest Experience at 832-667-1400.

    Bag Policy

    Bag policies vary per event. Backpacks and large bags that exceed 11”x17” are not allowed. Necessary diaper bags and medical bags are subject to inspection before entry.

    Source: https://www.nrgpark.com/event/mecum-auction/