For many families, heirlooms are passed down from generation to generation through jewelry, watches, furniture, or sentimental items. But the Born family in Colorado has left behind an unusual fortune: a collection of nearly 300 classic cars, trucks, vehicle parts, and vintage license plates, collected over three generations.
The collection will go up for auction on September 19 in Eaton, Colorado, at an event hosted by VanDerBrink Auctions. The auction will be held in person, but online bidding will also be available, and the vehicles will be available for viewing a day earlier.
Among the vehicles are some of the most iconic models in American automotive history. The collection includes a 1912 Ford Model T, various Ford Model A models, a 1932 Ford Roadster, as well as dozens of cars, trucks, and restoration projects dating mostly from the 1930s and 1940s.
But the Born family's collection isn't limited to Fords. The auction will also feature Chevrolet, Dodge, Plymouth, International, Pontiac, Buick, Oldsmobile and DeSoto. Highlights include a 1964 Chevrolet Bel Air, a 1974 Pontiac Firebird Esprit, and a large number of trucks and cars in various states of preservation, from restored vehicles to projects requiring significant work.
The collection has a history spanning three generations. According to organizers, the Born family has been involved in collecting and restoring classic vehicles for decades, with Doug Born, his father, and his grandfather all being well-known at classic car events and auctions in the US. After the passing of family members, the descendants have decided to put part of the private collection up for sale.
Another element that makes the auction particularly attractive to collectors is the variety of vehicles. In addition to complete cars, the sale also includes bodywork, restoration parts, trucks, old advertising signs and objects related to the history of service stations and gas stations. The official catalog includes hundreds of lots, making the auction one of the largest collections of its kind offered at this time.
For some of the lots, the starting bids are set at very low levels, some may even start at just 50 cents, but this does not mean that a classic car will be purchased for a few cents. The final price will be determined by the competition between buyers and the interest in each vehicle.
The auction will take place on September 19, 2026, at 09:00, in Eaton, Colorado, while the vehicle display will take place on September 18. In addition to physical participation, collectors from various countries will also have the opportunity to participate through online bidding.
