Season 2
The Journey
The Journey is a video series in which Jack Boyd Smith Jr., owner of The JBS Collection, and restoration partner Travis LaVine, of LaVine Restorations, Inc., sit down to discuss their shared passion for restoring and preserving classic, rare, and antique automobiles.
The series offers unique insight into the relationship between a classic car owner and the team tasked with restoring the vehicle, and highlights the importance of preserving automotive works of art for future generations to appreciate.
Season 2, Episode 5: 1933 Dodge Brothers H44 Tow Truck
In Episode 5, Jack Boyd Smith Jr. and restoration expert Travis LaVine of Travis LaVine return to explore one of the most compelling working vehicles in The JBS Collection: a 1933 Dodge Brothers Tow Truck. Together, they examine how this heavy-duty commercial vehicle was engineered to serve a rapidly modernizing America—providing essential roadside recovery and support during the Great Depression era. The episode highlights this rare vehicle’s historical importance, mechanical durability, and the careful restoration work that preserves its authenticity and working character
Purpose-built for strength, reliability, and roadside service during one of the most challenging eras in American history, this commercial workhorse stands as a powerful reminder of how innovation extended far beyond luxury into the backbone of everyday mobility. With its unmistakable utilitarian design and enduring mechanical integrity, this Dodge represents the grit and ingenuity of early 1930s automotive engineering.
Season 2, Episode 4: 1928 Hudson Model O Convertible Sedan
Season 2 of The Journey continues its exploration of automotive excellence with a deep dive into the history and background of The JBS Collection’s rare 1928 Hudson Model O Convertible Sedan. Featuring Jack Boyd Smith, Jr. of The JBS Collection and restoration expert Travis LaVine of LaVine Restorations, Inc., Episode 4 presents an engaging discussion of the 1928 Hudson Model O Convertible Sedan—an elegant and mechanically advanced example of late-1920s American automotive ingenuity.
Representing a pivotal era of automotive innovation for Hudson Motor Car Company, the 1928 Hudson Model O Convertible Sedan stands as a testament to the brand’s reputation for performance, durability, and forward-thinking engineering. This classic car’s distinctive styling and refined open-body design capture both the spirit of luxury touring and the accessibility that made Hudson a dominant force in its time.
Powered by a smooth-running inline engine paired with a manual transmission, delivering dependable performance for both city driving and long-distance touring, Hudson’s convertible sedan body style offered the best of both worlds—open-air enjoyment and enclosed comfort—making it a versatile choice for drivers of the era. With its solid construction, elegant proportions, and thoughtfully designed interior, the Model O exemplifies Hudson’s commitment to quality craftsmanship.
This rare 1928 Hudson Model O, thought to be one of fewer than five of its kind remaining, has been carefully preserved and restored by LaVine Restorations, Inc. to maintain its original authenticity while showcasing the craftsmanship that defined Hudson automobiles. As a multiple award-winning classic car, its presence in The JBS Collection highlights the importance of preserving vintage vehicles that represent not just luxury but also the technological progress and cultural impact of their time.
Season 2, Episode 3: 1934 Auburn 1250 Salon Cabriolet
In Episode 3, Jack and Travis team up for a fascinating examination of The JBS Collection’s 1934 Auburn 1250 Salon Cabriolet, originally owned by celebrated actor James Cagney. This Auburn, featured and driven by Cagney in the 1933 film, “The Mayor of Hell,” is one of only four 1934 Auburn 1250 Salon Cabriolets made in its production year, and the only one of the four featuring a rear-mounted spare instead of side-mounted. This magnificent Auburn, on top of its glorious Hollywood past, is an absolute automotive one-of-a-kind.
THE HISTORY: By 1932, Auburn was in search of a new way to stimulate demand. The multi-cylinder wars of the early 1930s made it challenging for companies to keep up with changing technology, as V12 and even V16 engines were becoming more common among luxury brands. Auburn responded by adopting Lycoming’s monstrous V12 engine, which featured a 45-degree Vee configuration and twin Stromberg downdraft carburetors. The engine weighed 1,096 pounds, but its 160 horsepower matched that of the larger Packard, Pierce-Arrow, and Franklin V12s, and easily bested the 135-hp and 125-hp Cadillac and Lincoln V12s.
THE CAR: Powered by its 391 cubic-inch Lycoming V12 engine with a 3-speed manual transmission and vacuum power booster, the Salons featured 4-wheel hydraulic drum brakes, and a unique and desirable dashboard-controlled Dual Ratio rear axle. During roughly two-and-a-half years of production, only about 2,250 V12 Auburns were built across all six body styles, and many have not survived the decades.
This rare, high-quality Salon Cabriolet received its Verification of Originality from the Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Club in 1986, at the time of its restoration by renowned A.C.D. expert Brian Joseph. The verification confirms that the vehicle has its original chassis, engine, drivetrain, and running gear components of the same model series.
Of all the 1934 Auburn V12 Cabriolets produced, Salons and all other models, only two are A.C.D.-certified, and this extraordinary vehicle—a multiple award winner, including First Place at the 1987 Meadowbrook Concours d’Elegance, First Place in the A.C.D. Auburn Open Category in 1987, and a 100-point score at the 1987 Dearborn CCCA Grand Classic, is one of them.
Season 2, Episode 2: 1932 Auburn 8-100A Boattail Speedster
In Episode 2, Jack and Travis discuss the magnificent 1932 Auburn 8-100A Boattail Speedster, a rare, award-winning pre-war American classic. This exceptional Auburn Speedster is one of only about 75 built in 1932 and represents unmatched excellence and design. It earned a Second in Class award at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 1997 and has been certified as Category One by the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club.
In 1924, Auburn was struggling, and production was down to six cars a day coming off the line. Enter successful automobile salesman Errett Lobban Cord, who took over the company. Cord quickly brought in new faces like James Crawford, Alan Leamy, and Gordon Buehrig to design and develop new Auburn vehicles. Auburn manufactured approximately 887 Speedster models between 1928 and 1936 across three series, designed first by Alan Leamy, and then later by Gordon Buehrig.
The JBS Collection’s 1932 Auburn 8-100A Boattail Speedster is a spectacular example of one of the most enduring designs of the Classic Era. It is a lasting testament to the daring spirit of the Roaring 1920s and the rarified elegance of the early 1930s.
The car’s ACD Category One certification confirms its exceptional originality. This beautiful Speedster features an original 8-100A chassis, engine, transmission, axles, and body, along with all other major components. Importantly, the body retains the vast majority of its original woodwork installed in Indiana in 1932. Today, the 1932 Auburn 8-100A Boattail Speedster remains one of the most coveted pre-war American classics–a true masterpiece of classic car design and automotive history.
Season 2, Episode 1: 1938 Packard Twelve Convertible Coupe
One of only eight 1938 Packard Twelve Convertible Coupes left in the world. In this Season 2 premiere of The Journey, The JBS Collection’s Jack Boyd Smith Jr. and restoration expert Travis LaVine reveal how they brought this rare and extraordinary Depression-era luxury automobile back to life.
The Journey is an ongoing series documenting the world-class automotive restorations that make up The JBS Collection. In each episode, watch as Jack and Travis walk through the meticulous restoration process, discussing their shared passion for the challenges, triumphs, and historical significance of saving some of automotive history’s most elegant survivors.
THE HISTORY: On the heels of the Great Depression, the Detroit automaker was already rolling out its next great luxury car. In 1933, the Detroit manufacturer revived its 12-cylinder model, previously known as the Twin Six (1916-1923), and, with significant changes, reintroduced it as the Packard Twelve.
THE CAR: The 1938 model featured stunning design updates: a more upright radiator, sweeping fenders wrapping around side-mounted spares, and an elegant Dietrich-inspired, V-shaped windshield. Only 32 Packard 1607 Twelve Convertible Coupes were built in 1938—this is #24 off the line. When Packard ended Twelve production in 1939 after building just 280 cars total, they sealed this automobile’s fate as one of the very last of its kind.