Over the course of his life and especially over the last 20 years or so, Californian Jacques Littlefield accumulated one of the greatest and largest private collections of military vehicles in the world. Located in California, the collection was formalizes as the Military Vehicle History Foundation, located in Portola Valley, California. We’re not talking about a couple of Jeeps and a busted old tank here, we’re talking vehicles from nearly every major military conflict since freaking WWI! There are tanks, trucks, guns, a SCUD missile mobile launcher, artillery, and virtually everything else your military history lovin’ mind could conjure up. Unfortunately Littlefield passed away and the foundation was not able to raise the necessary funds to keep the collection together. The good news is that profits from the sale will go to benefit the Collings Foundation which has an incredible collection of cars, airplanes, and now 60 military vehicles to house at their Stowe, Massachusetts facility. We’re sure Mr Littlefield would be happy to know that his prized vehicles are going to both add and benefit that group of historic iron.

The auction will be taking place in California on July 11th and 12th. There will be about 110 actual vehicles auctioned and roughly another 100 lots of ancillary stuff that collectors will go gaga for. We have heard of small military vehicle collections going up for sale now and again, but 100+ vehicles that are all restored and drivable (we’re not sure about being able to fire…are there rules against that? We have to guess that the SCUD isn’t capable of being launched…right?) is beyond anything we’ve ever come across before. It goes without saying that these vehicles will fetch big money because only guys with mondo scratch can afford to firstly buy a tank and secondly transport it great distances. Even the “little” tanks seem like they’d be ungainly to haul around but when you get into the full sized “heavy tanks” you’re going to need to find a company that can really do some hauling!

Below you’ll find the press release from Auctions America about the auction and under that you’ll find links to the collection so you can check out what will be hitting the block in July. If you love old military vehicles you owe it to yourself to attend this auction. You’ll literally never see another thing like it….unless you have a time machine and accidentally find yourself rolling through France toward Germany with Patton!

Here’s the full release from Auctions America –

AUCTIONS AMERICA LIFTS GAVEL ON WORLD FAMOUS LITTLEFIELD MILITARY COLLECTION

• Auctions America offers the historic Littlefield Collection, July 11 – 12 in Portola Valley, California
• The offering represents one of the world’s largest and most historically significant private collections of military vehicles
• Unprecedented sale expected to attract global audience as more than 200 lots are offered without reserve,
• including historic and important military vehicles, parts and accessories
• Event information and frequently updated lot list available online at auctionsamerica.com

AUBURN, Indiana (February 27, 2014) – Auctions America is proud to announce that it has been selected by the Collings Foundation to present one of the largest and most diverse sales of historic armored military vehicles and accessories ever staged; the world famous Littlefield Collection. Scheduled July 11 – 12 in Portola Valley, California, the historic armor sale will lift the gavel on more than 200 lots, including 108 vehicles from World War I through to the Gulf War along with a full day of specialty parts and accessories.

Celebrated as one of the world’s largest private collections of armored vehicles, the Littlefield Collection represents more than 30 years of careful and dedicated acquisition by the late Jacques Littlefield. Mr. Littlefield also founded California’s Military Vehicle Technology Foundation, a museum dedicated to the preservation of military vehicles to showcase technological advancements on the battlefield during the last century. Following his passing, the Jacques M. Littlefield Collection was acquired by the Collings Foundation, who will integrate some 80 of Littlefield’s important vehicles and artifacts into its own existing collection of military vehicles and aircraft. This enlarged collection will be housed in a new 64,000 square foot facility on the grounds of the Collings Foundation complex in Stow, Massachusetts, and will honor our nation’s veterans as well as provide a priceless learning and heritage resource for people of all ages. Auctions America will offer the public a unique opportunity to purchase the remaining vehicles and parts from the Littlefield Collection during its upcoming July sale. All lots will be offered without reserve, with hammer proceeds benefitting the new Collings Foundation facility.

“The Littlefield Collection boasts an impressive range of vehicles and represents points in history that appeal to a global audience beyond traditional military collectors,” says Ian Kelleher, Specialist, Auctions America. “The majority of the collection remains drivable and usable and can be easily repurposed for private use. We’re honored to have been entrusted with such a significant piece of history for public sale”.

The diverse collection includes military technology from World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan, originating from as many as 15 countries around the world. Leading the vehicle offering is a thoroughly restored and fully drivable M37 105mm Howitzer Motor Carriage (USA), built in October 1945 by American Car & Foundry and used as a training vehicle at Fort Knox until the mid-1950’s, after which time it was sent to Sioux City, IA for display. One of just 150 vehicles produced, the model saw heavy service with U.S. Army field artillery units in the Korean War. Additional highlights include a nearly 42 ton SCUD A Missile Launcher (USSR), a model which entered into service in 1956 as part of the Soviet strategic missile forces and was transferred to the regular forces in 1959, along with a restored DUKW Amphibious Personnel Carrier (USA), designed in 1942 and used to transport equipment from ships to the beach and beyond. The DUKW was based on GMC’s G-508 series of trucks, with many still in use today by private companies for river and harbor tours. In addition to the vehicles, the sale will also lift the gavel on a wide array of specialty military parts and accessories.

“There is no question that Jacques Littlefield created the world’s leading private collection of military technology,” says Rob Collings, Executive Director, The Collings Foundation. “A truly unprecedented event, the upcoming sale offers a very special opportunity for collectors from around the world to sustain Jacques’ legacy and help preserve, protect and present these vehicles that defined the world we live in. We’re excited to be working with Auctions America for this unique sale and look forward to welcoming collectors to the auction in July, and later to view our enhanced collection in Stow, Massachusetts, which we plan to have on display within 18 months”.

The Littlefield Collection sale will be held onsite at the Military Vehicle Technology Foundation, 499 Old Spanish Trail, Portola Valley, California, July 11 – 12. All lots will be available for preview before the sale on July 9 – 10. Further information along with a frequently updated list of consignments is available at auctionsamerica.com.

LINK: THE MILITARY VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY FOUNDATION – CHECK OUT THE VEHICLES HERE