General George S. Patton has always been a hero to me, especially because he elected to be buried alongside his men. He is the only four-star general buried at an American Battle Monuments Commission Cemetery. His career is both illustrious and accomplished, yet, arguably, a complex person. Historically, he’s a redeemed figure. Redeemed by his leadership of the Third Army at the Battle of the Bulge. Redeemed by his “usefulness” to our American democracy.

Redemption is a coat of many colors. Might be why the Vintage car hobby appealed to me. It’s taking a vehicle with age and experiences, a story of its own, and adding yours to its heritage. If you look at our list of vehicles, you’ll see some of the most interesting cars in the world. One owned by a Raj. Another rescue moved from a pig pen to the Winner’s Circle at Pebble Beach. And, then our “Mary Rose,” that recently sold for $2,535,000, a 1910 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost Pullman limousine. As caretakers for 17 years, she’s still one of the most important, early, and original cars in the world.

We are not consignors, however. The cars for sale in our inventory are owned and maintained by us. They’re also toured here and abroad, and shown in the most prestigious Concours events in the United States. Fortunately, our cars have taken Best in Show at the nearby Amelia Concours and first in class in numerous other shows, including the premiere West Coast event, Pebble Beach Concours d’ Elegance. Judges for these events, expertly focus on originality, authenticity, and elegance….awarding our 1910 RR 40/50 Silver Ghost Pullman limousine, the coveted Lucious Beebee Award (2010). I’ve taken knowledge away from every event, not just ribbons.

Participation for us also includes numerous local charity events and workshops. We’ve been known to share our cars for beautiful brides and Fourth of July parades. Currently, we are restoring a fine example of American ingenuity-— the only extant original 1912 Packard Model 48 runabout. The Packard legacy is one of high-quality, dependable transportation at the dawn of the American automobile industry. Ward Packard designed the first Packard Car in 1899, the first American car to use a steering wheel. Two of the earliest Packard sales occurred at the first automobile show in the country held at Madison Square Gardens, November 1900: two cars to William Rockefeller, one to Hollis Honeywell of Boston.

Interestingly, General George S. Patton also owned a 1932 Packard (902), and Packard Motor Company gained great renown as the American producer of the Merlin Rolls-Royce engine used in the P-51 Mustang American warplanes. Major General James H. “Jimmy” Doolittle saw the potential of the Packard-produced Mustang/Merlin engine without which the Allies could not have achieved air superiority over Europe in 1944: re-orienting their mission from escorts to “free-rangers” ahead of missions.

Our mission at Stafford Vintage Autos is to preserve and promote vintage automobiles as not just iconic emblems of a storied past but also as history-making vehicles for a new generation, a generation who will one day treasure the sacrifices of American and European alliances. A generation who will love preservation, we hope, every bit as much as those who’ve gone before us. For without preservation, we have neither context nor meaning for the future. A future so bright that millions made sacrifices for us!

We invite you to look over our current inventory of vintage cars and hope you’ll reach out for more information! Visits are welcome.