AN EYE FOR QUALITY: The cream of the crop of Charlie Thomas’ amazing car collection for sale at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale

December 20, 2016
Posted by Barrett-Jackson

Written by independent automotive journalist Steve Statham

This 1929 Studebaker President (Lot #1278) is one of 145 vehicles from the Charlie Thomas Collection that will be featured at the 2017 Scottsdale Auction.

Nobody develops an eye for quality collector cars overnight. Take Charlie Thomas of Columbus, Texas. He worked his way up the ladder from parts delivery driver to owner or partner of nearly 50 automotive dealerships. He bought his first dealership in 1967 in Baytown, Texas, and steadily expanded his reach throughout the Houston and Gulf Coast region. When it comes to the subject of desirable automobiles, Charlie Thomas has witnessed the hobby from every angle.

1939 Ford Deluxe Cabriolet (Lot #1015)

Thomas’ interests extend beyond the business of internal combustion, however. Those outside the collector car hobby may remember Thomas’ name from his years as the managing partner of the NBA’s Houston Rockets in the 1980s, or for his banking and real estate interests, or perhaps even his numerous charitable contributions.

Those varied experiences have given Thomas both the means and perspective to assemble an astonishingly diverse collection of cars. Thomas has chosen Barrett-Jackson to offer 145 examples from his collection for sale at No Reserve, and what a selection of automotive wonderment it is. Charlie Thomas purchases the cars for his collection personally and selects only the best available. “They’ve got more buyers, and a wider variety of buyers,” Charlie Thomas says of his choice to go with Barrett-Jackson. “They’ve got a buyer for everything, and with the spread of cars I’ve got, I’m going with them.”

1949 Cadillac Series 62 convertible (Lot #1277)

Thomas’ passion for collectible cars isn’t limited by any particular decade or any particular manufacturer. If you’re a fan of the striking cars from the 1920s, for example, Thomas has you covered with a pristine silver and maroon 1929 Studebaker President (Lot #1278). The President series was Studebaker’s top-of-the-line, and this beautifully restored Series FH model shows why. Powered by the L-head straight-8 rated at 115hp and paired with a manual 3-speed transmission, the President was a powerful and advanced standout during its era.

1955 Mercedes-Benz 190SL Roadster (Lot #1283)

The Jefferson Blue 1939 Ford Deluxe Cabriolet (Lot #1015) was the type of car that powered many a dream in the late ’30s. That year saw the last of the rumble-seat cabriolet Fords. The 24-stud flathead V8 was the everyman performance engine that put competitors to shame. This car is well-equipped with wood-grain dash, clock, banjo steering wheel, AM radio, front and rear bumper guards, chrome exhaust tip, dual outside mirrors, Stayfast convertible top with boot, and tan leather seats and door panels. Since its restoration using NOS Ford parts, it has been stored in a climate-controlled environment and has only been driven test miles.

1957 Studebaker Golden Hawk (Lot #1027)

By the time the 1949 Cadillac Series 62 convertible (Lot #1277) from Thomas’ collection rolled off the assembly line, the state of the art had advanced considerably. This Caddy is powered by the 331ci OHV V8 ‒ new for ’49 and rated at 160hp ‒ and backed by a Hydramatic transmission. The car was a solid original car with undamaged panels when it received its body-on restoration, and retains many well-kept original parts. With a dark maroon leather interior, black cloth top with burgundy piping, power windows, push-button radio, wide whitewalls, chrome sombrero-style wheel discs and dual fog lights with amber lenses, this Cadillac represents the best of the breed.

1962 Chevrolet Impala convertible (Lot #1279)

The Mercedes-Benz 190SL series was the roadster that combined all of Mercedes’ engineering virtues with elegant styling and an attainable price tag. Thomas’ 1955 Mercedes-Benz 190SL Roadster (Lot #1283), in jet black over Parchment leather, is as crisp as a custom tuxedo. It features new paint, leather, door panels, dash and carpet. It has a detailed engine bay, rebuilt gauges with new bezels, and all chrome, trim and weatherstripping has been replated or replaced.

The 1957 Studebaker Golden Hawk (Lot #1027) was one of the most advanced luxury sports coupes of its day. The heart of the Hawk is the 289ci Sweepstakes V8 with McCullough supercharger, rated at 275hp. The supercharger was rebuilt by a marque specialist, and the car has the correct golden interior, updated with electronic tachometer, quartz clock and AM/FM stereo.

1970 Oldsmobile 442 (Lot #1020)

The Roman Red 1962 Chevrolet Impala convertible (Lot #1279) offered from Charlie Thomas represents the best from the dawn of the muscle car era. The 409/409 power plant earned a spot in the bench racing hall of fame, especially when backed by a T-10 4-speed transmission with 3.70:1 posi-traction rear end. This car has received a full rotisserie restoration, and is loaded with power top, dual rear antennae, NOS spinner hubcaps, Sun tachometer and an AM radio.

1970 arguably represents the muscle car peak, and 1970 Oldsmobile 442 convertibles like the one in the Thomas collection (Lot #1020) are a good reason why. That was the first year the 455ci V8 was available under 442 hoods. The car was given a complete restoration, retaining its original engine and 3-speed automatic transmission, and was painted in its original Matador Red color with black hood stripes. It also has power windows and power trunk release, as indicated on the trim tag.

The 442 fits in perfectly with the other cars from earlier decades in Charlie’s collection ‒ power, comfort, style and top-quality restorations.

For up-to-date information on all the vehicles in the Charlie Thomas Collection, click HERE.