More than 9000 items of American memorabilia go under the hammer
MORE fins than the shark pool at Sydney Aquarium and horse power to rival The Everest — here is your chance to drive away a piece of classic Americana from the 1950s and 1960s. Among the items include a replica Batmobile and 1957 Chevrolet and life-size figurines of iconic figures.
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MORE fins than the shark pool at Sydney Aquarium and horse power to rival The Everest — here is your chance to drive away a piece of classic Americana.
Around 100 “Yank tanks” from the 1950s and 1960s will go under the hammer in a clear-out by obsessive collector Glen Jennings, who is selling 9000 items of memorabilia he has amassed during 114 trips to the US.
Among the vehicles expected to fetch top dollar are a replica Batmobile worth an estimated $150,000 and a 1957 Chevrolet at around $80,000.
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But if cars aren’t your thing, the collection also includes a five-foot Smokey Bear statue, a DeLorean time machine from Back To The Future films, all manner of life-size figurines — from Marilyn and Elvis to Mickey Mouse — and dozens of sideshow games.
Mr Jennings, from Newcastle, began his collection while travelling as security boss for boxer Kostya Tszyu to his international fights in the 1990s. But now, at age 55, the collection has become too large for him to handle.
“You could say I was a hoarder. My wife says I’m obsessive, but I have no regrets,” said Mr Jennings, whose business National Events Services handles security at events such as the NRL grand final and V8 Supercars, and logistics for international touring acts such as U2, AC/DC and the WWE wrestling tour.
His passion for all things American Graffiti began while growing up with Matchbox cars and US TV shows.
“America was happy in the ’50s and ’60s because there was plenty of money, the war was over and the space race was on. Nothing was impossible, everything was achievable and it was the best period of any country, ever,” he said.
While Burns And Co will auction the collection next weekend in Newcastle, Mr Jennings can’t bear to part with his 1958 Pontiac Bonneville, a 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz, 1963 Chevrolet Corvair Greenbrier, 1961 Chrysler Imperial and 1940 Cadillac Fleetwood stretch limo, one of only two in the world.
Sydney University lecturer Dr Helena Robinson, said: “The shape and design of that memorabilia reflect the innovation, confidence and exuberance of America in the ’50s and ’60s.”