The Tupelo Automobile Museum located in Mississippi in the United States was founded by local Frank Spain in 2002. Since it had been operated by his wife Jane Spain’s management until his passing in 2006. The museum closed its doors for good at the end of last month due to the high operating costs, and all the cars plus other automobilia will go straight to an auction later this month.

More than 165 cars spanning over a century of automotive history will go under the hammer. It is amazing the collection comprises such a diverse range of vehicles, from the 1899 Knox Model A 5HP Single-Cylinder Three-Wheel Runabout to the  more commonly seen 2003 Toyota Prius. Other gems include the 1948 Tucker 48 designed by Alex S. Tremulis – once featured in the company’s film Tucker the Man and the Car and now maintained in good condition since restoration in the 1980s, the 1967 Big Daddy Wishbone created by hot-rod customisation legend Ed “Big Daddy” Roth, the odd and 1985 Tritan A2 Aero Car, the 1964 Leslie Special which is the hero car of the comedy The Great Race, rare classic models such as the 1936 Lagonda LG45 Tourer and the 1930 Hispano-Suiza H6B Coupe Chauffeur and many more.

All the cars will be seen together for one last time at the Tupelo Automobile Museum for the Bonhams auction, which will be held on 26 and 27 April.