From September 19th to the 21st of 2025, a museum collection of 275 vehicles will be crossing the block at Mecum Auctions in Chicago, Illinois. Starting with a 1951 Rolls-Royce, Larry Klairmont amassed a collection of 600 cars at its peak. For years, this collection was located in a private warehouse until it was opened to the public as a museum in 2019. Sadly, this museum has closed and the cars are being sold. When a serious collection gets big enough, I’ve found that it starts to include whimsical and unusual vehicles that are acquired solely for the joy they bring their owner or others. In today’s Market Monday, I’m featuring my favorite fun cars from this special auction.

Good Humor created the first ice cream on a stick, and later the very first ice cream truck. Initially, these vehicles were modified Ford Model Ts designed for door-to-door delivery. After a brief flirtation with Chevrolet, the brand returned to Ford with F-series models — like the one for sale here. The vehicle will need recommissioning for road use, but these frosty Fords can sell for $50,000 and up in good condition.

Cutaway vehicles are an interesting subculture of car collecting, one I enjoy as a fan of all things mechanical. This 1955 Jeep CJ-5 is said to be the first Jeep specifically designated as a stripped chassis, and feature cut-away views of its various components intended to help train mechanics on how to conduct repair work. The market for a piece like this is likely limited to other collectors, but it’s a fascinating piece.

Fans of bubble tops and bullet taillamps rejoice! Here is your dream car. Atomic and Jet-age cars are among my favorite vehicle designs, as their space and aeronautical inspirations resonate with me. Based on a Ford Fairlane, the car was designed by Gene Winfield and Darryl Starbird. For those wondering, the canopies are electrically operated, but entry will be a driver’s side-only affair, as there are no seams on the passenger side.

Perhaps the most normal car in the motley crew I’ve assembled, I’ve included it because, thanks to the movie ‘Ghostbusters,’ I am a massive fan of ‘59 Cadillacs. Said to have been built as a special build by S&S coach builders using a commercial chassis (likely a combination ambulance/hearse), the roof features a very modern feature: large panoramic glass panels. Being a combination car, this could easily reach $100,000 or more.

Built by George Barris in 1954, the Golden Sahara II was built from a 1953 Lincoln Capri into a wild Jet-age creation that almost seems like it could span 3 decades of car design. The most appealing, unusual, and desirable aspect of this car is its translucent illuminated Goodyear tires. How did the restored car manage to replicate these features only a few years ago? Goodyear re-created a set of the urethane tires and fitted LED lighting. Thank goodness, because changing the light bulbs in your tires would be daunting indeed.

The Dart is a fiberglass-bodied custom version of the German Goggomobile microcar. Looking a bit like a miniature Alfa Romeo Disco Volante, the Dart was built in Australia from 1959 to 1961. Featuring a mid-engine design with a 2-stroke, two-cylinder powerplant, the top speed was 53mph and you can imagine the 0-60 time is somewhere north of 30 seconds. Despite its diminutive performance, Darts can command prices over $25,000.

I’m not sure how many US Mail truck enthusiasts there are, but I’m betting they exist. This forward-control, cab-over-engine stakebed truck has been restored and painted in a scheme reflecting its service as a US Mail maintenance vehicle. Jeep FCs are awesome utility vehicles and while I’d love to see this truck owned by a collector who will drive it, I could easily see this on prominent display in the National Postal Museum in Washington, D.C. Restored forward-control Jeeps can bring close to $50,000 on the public market. Here’s hoping this one does well.

Of the cars above, I think I actually would pick the Forward Control US Mail Jeep truck out of the group to take home. Interesting trucks bring tons of attention at a Cars and Caffeinated beverages event, and you can also use it to haul mulch in the Springtime.

The cars in the Larry’s Legacy collection are all offered at no reserve, so each vehicle will be going home with its high bidder. Results for the more common collectibles will also be interesting to see.

Which car from Larry’s collection would you want in your garage?

Wolf and Mare provides car finding, appraisals, and auction services for buyers and sellers of collector European cars. If you’re interested in acquiring an overseas car, give us a call or drop a line!