The JBS Collection Blog
See Our Earhart Cord at the Savoy Automobile Museum!
Jack Boyd Smith Jr.’s 1937 Cord 812 Phaeton Convertible, famously owned by Amelia Earhart, is on exhibit after accepting an invitation for the National Treasures exhibition, running Aug. 4-Dec. 6, 2026, at the Savoy Automobile Museum in Cartersville, Georgia.
Tow & Tell: Rare Dodge Heavy Hauler Featured in The Journey
Season 2, Episode 5 of our acclaimed automotive series, “The Journey,” examines The JBS Collection’s rare 1933 Dodge Brothers H44 Tow Truck.
One Year Later: Remembering Gene Perkins
Jack Boyd Smith Jr., owner of The JBS Collection and a Packard enthusiast, remembers the late Gene Perkins, known throughout the hobby as “Mr. Packard.”
Keys to Freedom: “Five Driven Women” Exhibits Vehicles that Gave Women the Open Road
The Studebaker National Museum’s landmark exhibition, Five Driven Women, features three historic vehicles from The JBS Collection and explores how automobiles expanded freedom, opportunity, and independence for women during the early twentieth century.
An Award-Winning Weekend in Connecticut
The JBS Collection enjoyed an exceptional weekend at the 2025 Greenwich Concours d’Elegance, as its 1937 Cord 812 Phaeton Convertible earned both Best in Class in Pre-War American Classics and Junior Judging honors at one of the nation’s premier automotive events.
Style, Substance, and The Need for Speed
Season 2, Episode 4 of The JBS Collection’s automotive series, “The Journey,” examines the collection’s rare 1928 Hudson Model O Convertible Sedan, delivering an in-depth exploration of innovation, craftsmanship, and pre-war automotive excellence.
The Silent Knight Makes Noise at Amelia Island
The JBS Collection’s quiet-driving 1928 Minerva AF Transformable Town Car, powered by Charles Yale Knight’s groundbreaking sleeve-valve engine, captured a First in Class award in March at The Amelia Concours d’Elegance on Amelia Island, Florida.
Cagney’s Auburn V12 Salon Cabriolet Still a Shining Star
In Season 2, Episode 3 of The Journey, Jack Boyd Smith Jr. and Travis LaVine team up for a fascinating deep dive into the history and background of a 1934 Auburn Salon Cabriolet originally owned by actor James Cagney.
ACD-Certified Auburn Set the Standard
In Season 2 Episode 2 of The Journey, Jack Boyd Smith Jr. and restoration partner Travis LaVine spotlight a rare 1932 Auburn 8-100A Boattail Speedster that is one of the most authentically finished of its kind.
Among the Last of Its Kind
In the Season Two premiere of the automotive series, “The Journey,” Jack Boyd Smith Jr.—owner of The JBS Collection—and restoration partner Travis LaVine discuss the multiple award-winning restoration of The JBS Collection’s rare 1938 Packard 1607 Twelve Convertible Coupe.
Historic Packard Impresses at Hampton Court Palace
Jack Boyd Smith Jr.’s 12-cylinder 1934 Packard 1108 Custom Convertible Dietrich Sedan, originally owned by Louise Arner Boyd—the world’s first female Arctic explorer—was honored with The Chairman’s Award at the 14th edition of the Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace, Sept. 5-7, in the London borough of Richmond upon Thames.
The Season One Finale of “The Journey” Strikes a Magnificent Cord
The Season One finale of The Journey recounts the story and restoration of Jack Boyd Smith Jr.’s iconic 1937 Cord 812 Phaeton Convertible, originally owned by American aviator Amelia Earhart.
The JBS Collection Experiences a Pace-Setting July
While eyeing the August season finale of our popular automotive series, The Journey, owner Jack Boyd Smith Jr. hit the road in July with The JBS Collection and experienced success in the showfield and on the world-renowned Cirque de la Sarthe racing track in Le Mans, France.
Our Well-Traveled, Rare Imperial 8 LeBaron Goes Under the Lens
The JBS Collection, in association with LaVine Restorations, Inc. and Eyedart
Creative Studio, presents Episode Five of the automotive series, The Journey. In Episode Five, collection owner Jack Boyd Smith Jr. and restoration partner Travis LaVine share behind-the-scenes details and backstories regarding their challenging restoration of a 1933 Chrysler Imperial 8 LeBaron Dual Cowl Phaeton.
Gene Perkins Was a ‘True’ One Of a Kind
With a sad and heavy heart, we at The JBS Collection, led by owner Jack Boyd Smith Jr., mourn the unexpected loss of a true giant in the Classic Car arena. Gene Perkins, aka “Mr. Packard,” of Greenwood, Indiana, passed away recently. We extend our deepest condolences to Gene’s wife, Sally, his son Brian, and the rest of his family. We also offer our thoughts and prayers to everyone who knew and loved Gene and appreciated his spirit as much as we did.
Jack Boyd Smith Jr. Seeks Racing Redemption at Le Mans
After watching his 1929 Bentley Blower Series come exhilaratingly close to making history on the Circuit de la Sarthe in 2023, Jack Boyd Smith Jr., owner of The JBS Collection, has his sights set on racing redemption at the 2025 Le Mans Classic.
The Concours at Copshaholm Continues Building Momentum
The seventh edition of the Concours d’Elegance at Copshaholm, July 12 in South Bend, Indiana, presents a Midwestern automotive show on par with some of the finest concours programs in the world.
The Journey, Episode Four: An Exquisite Surprise
In Episode Four of the automotive series The Journey, Jack and Travis discuss the restoration of a 1934 Packard Twelve 1107 Convertible Victoria...
The Journey, Episode Three: The Silver Ghost of Springfield
In Episode Three of the popular new series The Journey, Jack Boyd Smith Jr. and Travis LaVine discuss their intricate preservation of The JBS Collection’s rare, multiple award-winning 1923 Springfield Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Pall Mall.
A Quiet Ride, a Silent Knight
Episode Two of The Journey captures the unique dynamic between collector Jack Boyd Smith Jr. and restorer Travis LaVine as the duo revisits their preservation of a 1928 Minerva AF Transformable Town Car.
A Season in The Life of Jack Boyd Smith Jr.
The JBS Collection’s memorable 2024 season, filled with event honors, accolades, new projects, and first-time achievements, is representative of owner Jack Boyd Smith Jr.’s unmatched passion for preserving historic automobiles and sharing them with the world.
Flying High: ‘Earhart’ Cord On Display at The Henry Ford Museum
The JBS Collection’s fully-restored 1937 Cord 812 Phaeton Convertible, originally owned by American aviator Amelia Earhart, is in Dearborn, Michigan for a six-month installation—through late May of 2025—at The Henry Ford Museum’s National Historic Vehicle Register Display.
1937 ‘Earhart’ Cord Honored at Hilton Head Concours
The JBS Collection’s 1937 Cord 812 Phaeton Convertible, originally owned by American aviator Amelia Earhart, was named Best in Class in the CCCA Full Classics category at the 2024 Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance and Motoring Festival, Nov. 3, in South Carolina.
New Series “The Journey” is a Labor of Automotive Love
Jack Boyd Smith Jr., owner of The JBS Collection, in building his award-winning assemblage of automobiles in less than 15 years, moved a needle in the classic car world. On something of a whim, the father of twins purchased two classic vehicles at a 2012 estate sale, and—in an arena where significant collections often require 30, 40, or 50 years of curation—has since built The JBS Collection into one of the The Key’s Top 100 collections in the world. Also atypical, Smith Jr. takes pride in sharing deeper insight into the history of his vehicles. To that end, The JBS Collection proudly presents the new, in-depth series, The Journey.
Earhart Cord, Imperial 8 Show Well at Hampton Court Palace
The JBS Collection took both First and Second Place in the Best Pre-1940 American Coachbuilt Car category at the 2024 Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace, Aug. 30-Sept. 1, in the London borough of Richmond upon Thames. The collection’s legendary 1937 Cord 812 Phaeton Convertible, originally owned by famed American aviator Amelia Earhart, won first place in the category, and its award-winning 1933 Chrysler Imperial LeBaron was honored with second place in the category.
Silver Ghost Awarded at Salon Privé Concours at Blenheim Palace
The JBS Collection—in its first-ever trip to the Salon Privé Concours at Blenheim Palace, Aug. 28-31 in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, England—received the 2024 Chairman’s Award for its rare, American-made 1923 Springfield Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Pall Mall.
Resurgent, Restored Packard Back on its Historic Journey
The JBS Collection and owner Jack Boyd Smith Jr. had a day to remember on Sunday, Aug. 18, in Monterey, California. At the 2024 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the collection’s freshly-restored 1934 Packard Twelve 1108 Custom Convertible Sedan by Dietrich was awarded both the Gwenn Graham Most Elegant Convertible Award Sponsored by Lalique North America, and the Briggs Cunningham Trophy Sponsored by Ford Motor Company.
Rare 1923 Silver Ghost is Headed ‘Back Home’
The JBS Collection takes one of its automotive crown jewels—a rare, American-made 1923 Springfield Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Pall Mall—to the Salon Privé Concours at Blenheim Palace, August 28-31, in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, England. The event marks the collection’s inaugural participation in Salon Privé, one of the premier Concours events in the UK.
Restoration Partner, Travis LaVine, to Sit on Pebble Beach Panel
We are excited to once again participate in the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, Aug. 18, 2024, and we’re even happier to announce that our good friend and restoration partner Travis LaVine, of LaVine Restorations, Inc. will be a panelist for an exclusive Pebble Beach Classic Car Forum on August 16.
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
The JBS Collection of Elkhart, Indiana, along with co-sponsor LaVine Restorations, Inc. and the hosting Studebaker National Museum, presents the 6th annual Concours d’Elegance at Copshaholm, Saturday, July 13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event takes place on the grounds of the Copshaholm House Mansion in downtown South Bend, Indiana.
Jack Boyd Smith Jr. Heading Back to Sunny Italy
The JBS Collection returns this year to the annual Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, May 24-26 in Cernobbio, Italy, with its sights set on achieving more success on the western shore of beautiful Lake Como.
The JBS Collection Enjoys a Winning Opening Weekend
The JBS Collection, over the course of one weekend in Florida, kicked off its 2024 season of automotive events right where 2023 ended; in continued,...
Cars Owned by Famous People
Here at The JBS Collection, we’ve got nothing but absolute love for all of our automobiles. We’re not the first ones to appreciate them, though, and chances are good that you’ve heard of some of the people who previously owned some of our fantastic vehicles. Important world figures and luminaries of the screen and stage are among the prior owners of several automobiles in The JBS Collection.
Pedal To The Metal
Winning the Collector of the Year Award at February’s Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance, in Boca Raton, Florida, was one of many big moments in a breakout 2023 season for Elkhart, Indiana’s Jack Boyd Smith Jr., whose assemblage of rare and historic vehicles comprise The JBS Collection.
A Year of Rising: Looking Back on a Memorable 2023
On November 5, in London, England, The JBS Collection’s 1903 Clément 12/16 HP Rear-Entrance Tonneau crossed the finish line at the legendary RM Sotheby’s London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, earning the participation medal awarded to all pre-1905 vehicles able to complete the historic, 54-mile non-race.
The JBS Collection’s 1903 Clément Earns Completion Medal at England’s Veteran Car Run
The JBS Collection is proud to announce that its 1903 Clément 12/16 HP Rear-Entrance Tonneau earned a medal of completion at the historic RM Sotheby’s London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, Nov. 5, in England.
The JBS Collection’s 1903 Clément Set For Veteran Car Run
The JBS Collection, located in Elkhart, Indiana, is pleased to announce on behalf of owners Laura and Jack Boyd Smith Jr. that its 1903 Clément 12/16 HP Rear-Entrance Tonneau will participate in the historic RM Sotheby’s London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, Nov. 5, in England.
Rare Silver Ghost Twice Honored at 2023 Pebble Beach Concours
The JBS Collection is pleased to announce that its 1923 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Pall Mall earned both an individual Special Award and Second in Class honors at the 72nd edition of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, Sunday, Aug. 20, on the famed 18th fairway of the Pebble Beach Golf Course in Pebble Beach, California.
The JBS Collection’s 1929 Bentley Blower Series Races Le Mans
The JBS Collection is pleased to announce that its 1929 Bentley Continuation Series Blower is now documented as having raced the legendary Le Mans raceway after participating in the 11th running of the Le Mans Classic, June 29-July 2, in Le Mans, Sarthe, France.
Concours d’Elegance Honors and Additional Awards
The JBS Collection is honored to be a part of the distinguished field at these events and grateful for the opportunity to share the history and majesty of our cars with a wider audience.
Mr. Smith Jr. Goes To Washington
The fully-restored 1937 Cord 812 Phaeton Convertible originally owned by American aviator Amelia Earhart is under glass and on public display, through Sept. 5, at Washington D.C.’s National Mall.
Jack Boyd Smith Jr. Wins Collector of the Year at Boca
The JBS Collection is pleased to announce that owners Laura and Jack Boyd Smith Jr. were named the winners of the 2023 Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance Collector of the Year Award.
The JBS Collection Bursts Into The Key’s Worldwide Top 100
In May, The JBS Collection—represented by owners Laura and Jack Boyd Smith Jr. of Elkhart, Indiana—jumped 50 spots to make it into The Key’s Top 100 rankings of classic car collections worldwide.
The Concours d’Elegance at Copshaholm Marks 5th Anniversary
The JBS Collection is pleased to announce – in collaboration with co-presenter LaVine Restorations, Inc., of Nappanee, Indiana – that the 5th Annual Concours d’Elegance at Copshaholm will be held Saturday, July 8, 2023 on the grounds of the historic Copshaholm House Museum in South Bend, Indiana.
The JBS Collection: The Lalique Crystal Hood Ornaments
French glassmaker René-Jules Lalique produced 30 types of pressed-glass hood ornaments – or mascots – to adorn radiator caps of the wealthy and...
Count Credited with Art Deco ‘Streamlining’ Ideal Designed Cars of The JBS Collection
Count Alexis de Sakhnoffsky's imagining of a sleek, space-age future shaped the cars of the Art Deco era and the look of much of the world of...
The JBS Collection Shares Six Magnificent Packards on London Stage at Hampton Court Concours
The 'Magnificent Six'A half dozen immaculately restored Packard Twelves from The JBS Collection received a reception befitting royalty at London's...
The JBS Collection at Concours d’Elegance
Awarded for Excellence in Design the World OverThe horses have left the field of modern-day concours d’elegance, but the luxury and refinement...
1937 Cord 812 Phaeton Convertible
Amelia Earhart’s Favorite Car For a pioneering aviator fueled by adrenaline, the Cord 812 was the ideal land vehicle for Amelia Earhart. With its...
One-of-a-Kind Automobiles
Every automobile in The JBS Collection is a treasure. Whether for elegant design features or the loving care that went into the restoration process,...
Innovation in Automobile Manufacturing
The JBS Collection is more than an assemblage of vehicles. It’s also a story. It’s the story of an industry that has thrived because of...