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 determination, business savvy, and craftsmanship. It’s the story of companies that boldly embraced new ideas.
Innovation is key in the competitive world of carmakers. Automotive history is full of “firsts,” both for the industry as a whole and for individual auto manufacturers.
The JBS Collection is privileged to showcase that history.
Looking Sharp
1905 Cadillac Model F
Our 1905 Cadillac Model F Touring – traveling with all the speed a nine-horse engine can muster – would turn heads on any modern highway. It drew attention in its day, too. The Model F was the first of a new style of car with a sharper hood and radiator.
It Was a Very Good Year
1932 Ford Model 18 Roadster
1932 was a big year for automotive innovation, and two of our vehicles are prime examples.
The 1932 Ford Model 18 Roadster is nothing less than an automotive milestone. It was the first low-priced, mass-marketed automobile to have a V8 engine. Power to the people, indeed!
1932 Packard Light Eight Series 900
Additionally, the 1932 Packard Light Eight Series 900 Roadster was the first Packard to have a synchromesh gearbox, which offered top-notch smoothness and quiet operation. The gearbox earned the 900 the nickname “The Hot Rod Packard.”
Dialed In and Built for Speed
1934 Packard Twelve Victoria
Changes in the auto industry often mirrored societal shifts and also consumer demand.
Take our 1934 Packard Twelve Series 1107 Victoria Convertible, for example. The 1930s were the Golden Age of Radio, and Packard was happy to tune in. The 1934 Twelve Victoria was the first Packard model that offered a radio option.
1935 Auburn 851 SC Boattail Speedster
Change can happen fast, and “fast” is what our 1935 Auburn 851 SC Boattail Speedster is all about. The car is aptly named, and not just for its boattail design. The 851 Speedster was the first stock American car to exceed 100 mph for 12 hours.
Growth Potential
1963 Ferrari 250 GT/E
A focus on style and speed made Ferrari an automotive legend. But was there room for…roominess? Yes, at least by Ferrari’s standards. The 1963 Ferrari 250 GT/E S11 2-Door was the first Ferrari made to accommodate four full-sized adults comfortably.
Tech Savvy
1986 Mercedes-Benz 560 XL
In the automobile industry, technology is paramount – and the 1986 Mercedes-Benz 560 XL was at the forefront. In addition to being stylish, swift, and upscale, the 560 XL was one of the first cars designed with computer assistance. Designers used computer modeling to gauge the stresses and loads on portions of the body shell.
What’s new? What’s next? Those questions have driven the automobile industry from the start, and they inspire the work we do today. We’re not just a car collection: We’re a celebration of innovation.