Need cinema-quality vehicles without Hollywood connections? The upcoming Klairmont Kollections auction delivers exactly that—295 museum-grade collector cars going to the highest bidders this September, no reserve prices protecting anything.
Larry Klairmont’s automotive empire started like most great collections—with passion funded by success. The WWII veteran turned his real estate and cleaning business profits into one of the Midwest’s most impressive car museums, opening to the public in 2018. His death in 2021 at age 94 left behind an institution without a succession plan, forcing the difficult closure decision four years later.
Your chance to own a piece of automotive theater history comes loaded with options most collectors only dream about:
- Both Keaton and West-era Batmobiles – because apparently one wasn’t enough
- Lincoln’s 2002 Continental Concept with its bespoke V12 engine, considered the collection’s crown jewel
- The “Black Beauty” Imperial and Mystery Machine replicas – Saturday morning nostalgia meets museum quality
- Vehicles spanning 1909 to present day – from brass-era pioneers to modern concepts
- Over 1,000 pieces of automotive memorabilia – the stuff that makes collections complete
Mecum Auctions handles the September 19-21 dispersal with their trademark no-reserve approach. Every single lot sells to the highest bidder, regardless of price—creating genuine market discovery rather than protected minimums. This mirrors how TikTok’s algorithm rewards authentic engagement over manufactured hype, except these cars actually appreciate in value.
While museum closures always sting the enthusiast community, this particular dispersal offers something rare: legitimate museum-quality curation meeting accessible bidding. Your local Cars & Coffee suddenly looks a lot more interesting when someone shows up with Klairmont’s former Lincoln concept or a screen-accurate Batmobile.
The closure represents more than just another private collection hitting the market. It highlights the ongoing challenge facing automotive preservation—balancing public access with long-term sustainability. Museums need more than passionate founders; they need succession plans that outlive their creators.
