Not even his family knew the extent of this affair while he was filling up buildings with all of his favorite things that involved engineering and speed. It was just too easy. He typed in something he wanted and there it was.
Crates, trucks and boxes began arriving. For a long time, Penny, Jeff’s secretary, was the only one who knew the breadth of his secret bidding obsession. eBay was more than a hobby for Begg. It was exciting and he met people with similar interests. After Jeff Begg’s passing, his nephew and business partner, Franco Domingo, learned how extensive the great collection had become.
Franco began going through Begg’s affairs and found there was more to his love of engineering. They went into one of his properties and it was filled with vintage race cars, British motorcycles, collector cars and an array of rare parts and pieces.
It was truly amazing. Nearly every property was packed with part of the collection. Franco and his wife, Corinne, Begg’s son-in-law Dustin Moon, and a team of helpers, took on the task of moving it all to one location.
Yvette VanDerBrink, of VanDerBrink Auctions, was conducting an auction in Vicksburg, Mich., when she was asked to visit Begg’s collection. VanDerBrink was amazed, so they developed a plan to auction the entire collection.
On June 15 in Springfield, Mich., the world will be able to buy a piece of the JAB Collection.
So far, 63 British motorcycles, including a rare 1952 Vincent Series C Rapide motorcycle are part of a collection of bikes that includes almost every make and model, including the namesakes of his businesses — Matchless and Excelsior Henderson.
Panther, Rudge Ulster, Triumph, Moto Guzzi and more are among the motorcycles. The collection also includes 38 midget race cars, including a 1947 Kurtis Kraft, the Lockard Badger II and others with notable drivers and builders.
His love for racing has an enormous array of rare and unique racing parts for vintage cars, including many Ford FH four-cylinder and V-8 engine parts including for 60-horsepower FH V-8s. Rare Riley Carbs and OHV conversions for Ford four cylinders are also numerous. Offenhauser, Edelbrock, Rook, Eddie Meyer and various other wonderful engines and parts.
The collection includes 70 collector vehicles from a 1957 Chevrolet Belair convertible to a 1936 Ford 3 coupe. Begg took both vehicles to car shows.
There is also a plethora of unique import vehicles, including two Marcos, TRVs, a Maserati and more. Several 1936 Pierce Arrows also grace this eclectic collection.
Everything will be sold on June 15. The bidding will be No Reserve and On-Site with Online bidding. The JAB Collection truly is an amazing collection of engineering marvels.
Pictures, video and an inventory list are available from www.vanderbrinkauctions.com, or by calling 605-201-7005.