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Astor Classics Event Center

03-12-11
Story and Photographs by Roger Rohrdanz


rogerrohrdanz

Roger Rohrdanz

     The auction in 2008 contained over 200 cars and 800 lots of pre and postwar memorabilia and sold for over $15.4 million, his collection was not only massive but extremely rare. Since the 1940’s Art Astor has been collecting cars. He amassed cars that are now worth more than any new car on the market and barely touched any of them.
      What is left of his collection is still impressive. Over 70 of Art’s favorites can be seen at the Astor Classics Event Center in Anaheim, CA.  Some of his cars have shockingly low mileage. Some were cars bought by dealers or race teams and never driven. Some were owned by celebrities he met while working on his radio shows. Some of them are extremely rare limited production vehicles. All of the cars are unrestored, working, and in pristine condition. It is really like a walk through time.  There are Packards, Chryslers, Jaguars, Mercedes-Benz, a Camaro, a De Soto, a Thunderbird, and some Woodies.
      When I arrived with a group from The Early Ford V8 Club we were greeted by Michael Keener, Director of Operations.  He calls himself the Baby Sitter.  The collection is now housed in a 20,000 sq foot building, before it was in 110,000 sq feet.  Along with the classic cars are, model trains, vintage broadcasting equipment, a toy collection, classic televisions & radios, old telephones and everything WORKS!  If you don’t pay attention you will miss something you’ll be sorry about later.
     The Art Astor classics event center hosts events like weddings, parties and large business meetings so if you are an auto enthusiast you might like to plan a special event, contact Michael Keener at www.astorclassics.com.

(click on photo to enlarge)

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Astor Classics Event Center in Anaheim, CA.

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Astor Classics Event Center in Anaheim, CA.

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The Early Ford V8 Club were on-hand for their tour

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One of the V8 Club members arrived in this awesome,  straight eight, ’40 Packard Darrin

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One of the V8 Club members arrived in this awesome,  straight eight, ’40 Packard Darrin

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One of the V8 Club members arrived in this awesome,  straight eight, ’40 Packard Darrin

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One of the V8 Club members arrived in this awesome,  straight eight, ’40 Packard Darrin

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One of the V8 Club members arrived in this awesome,  straight eight, ’40 Packard Darrin

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One of the V8 Club members arrived in this awesome,  straight eight, ’40 Packard Darrin

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“Nick can’t say no”, Nick Alexander had to see the Astor Collection

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Inside, the cars are presented exceptionally well.

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Inside, the cars are presented exceptionally well.

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Inside, the cars are presented exceptionally well.

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Inside, the cars are presented exceptionally well.

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Inside, the cars are presented exceptionally well.

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Lots of old gas pumps

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Lots of old gas pumps

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A cool old candy machine, yes it works!

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Inside, the cars are presented exceptionally well.

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Inside, the cars are presented exceptionally well.

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This 354 cu in Hemi powered, ‘56 Chrysler Imperial was the car Doris Day arrived in at the premier of her last  movie

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479 of these ’42 Chrysler Royal Coupe’s were produced, a “Spitfire”inline six, Fluid-Drive transmission were standard, and accessories include fog lamps, spot lights, and bumper guards

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Original cost in ’41 was $1104.-$1375. for this ’41 Packard110, 2 door.

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Original cost in ’41 was $1104.-$1375. for this ’41 Packard110, 2 door.

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A very stylish ’37 Cadillac Convertible

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Part of Art’s train collection

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Part of Art’s train collection

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Part of Art’s train collection

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A room of working antique radios

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This ’40 Ford V8, 2 door deluxe opera coupe originally sold for $722.-$947.

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This ’36 Oldsmobile 8, 4 door sedan has original interior and wood grain dash. The clock still works and the car has 64,000 original miles!

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Part of a large collection of working vintage telephones

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Part of a large collection of working vintage telephones

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Part of a large collection of working vintage telephones

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Michael Keener, Director of Operations (L) talks with Dave Lindsay of SoCalCarCulture.com

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A large radio and television room

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A large radio and television room

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Mermod Freres in Saint-Croix, Switzerland manufactured this beautifully crafted Mira disc music box, circa 1898. Yes it works!

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Mermod Freres in Saint-Croix, Switzerland manufactured this beautifully crafted Mira disc music box, circa 1898. Yes it works!

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A large radio and television room

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A large radio and television room

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A 1960 Philco Predicta futuristic working television

Thank you Roger, for the wonderful coverage of the amazing Astor Classic collection!

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