--- title: "Warehouse Full of Classic Cars, Boats and Even a Train Headed to Auction" description: "This collection contains more than 40 cars, as well as some boats and various train parts, and it's all up for grabs next week." date: "2024-02-12" modified: "2024-02-12" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/warehouse-full-of-classic-cars-boats-and-even-a-train-headed-to-auction" categories: - "News" --- # Warehouse Full of Classic Cars, Boats and Even a Train Headed to Auction ![]() *\Auction by Pearce\* Now *this* is a [barn find](). Discovering old buildings filled with classic cars isn't all that unusual in the age of the internet. Finding one that also contains trains and boats, though, certainly is. The Kershaw family in Alabama is selling its warehouse, so all of the vehicles it contains—whether made to travel land or water—are going up for auction. ![]() ![]() ![]() According to *[WSFA News]()*, Royce Kershaw Sr. owned a successful railroad business that he passed down to his son, Royce Kershaw Jr., along with a warehouse full of collectible machinery. When Kershaw Jr. died in July 2023, the family decided to finally sell the collection, which holds nearly 50 cars. The variety of cars in this collection is fascinating and even a bit head-scratching. Most of them are classic American cars, many of which are pre-war. There's a 1932 Ford three-window coupe, a 1913 Cadillac, a 1948 [Lincoln Continental]() coupe, and a 1955 Thunderbird, to name a few highlights. But between those rare American classics is also a 2005 Honda Element, a 2011 BMW "x35i" SUV (model unclear), a 1977 Mercedes 450 SEL, and some train cars. Many of the vehicles were bought new by the Kershaw family. My personal favorite car in the collection is the 1966 [Oldsmobile Toronado](), which Kershaw Sr. was the only owner of, and seemingly never touched. How do you *not* drive a massive American coupe with a 425-cubic-inch V8 and front-wheel drive? ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() There's also an entire 1913 log steam train that's available to bid on. I'm not sure how I'd ship a massive train engine, where I'd store it, how I'd afford it, or what I'd do with it. But it's cool, and I want it. According to Chip Pearce, owner of [Auction by Pearce]() which is handling sale of the collection, "everything starts at a dollar, and the last bidder wins." This is an incredible opportunity for any collector, or aspiring collector, to get their hands on some very cool, unique pieces of automotive and transportation history. I'll have the 111-year-old locomotive, please. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()