Flash player is required to view weather conditions. Download

site web  

MONROE — The scene is reminiscent of a country club cotillion from days gone by. Vintage cars line the driveway, with a Rolls-Royce, a couple of Jaguars and an Austin Mini Cooper rounding out the display. One almost expects royalty to emerge from the glistening vehicles, but the setting is not in the European countryside.

The cars are in Monroe, and they belong to local resident Larry McCartt.

"I like European cars because of their appearance, which is very appealing to me," said McCartt, a car collector for more than 50 years.

An eclectic collection

Most of his collection is displayed at car shows around the country, but McCartt also can be seen driving his Rolls around town.

"My Rolls is unusual because it has a broadcloth and not a leather interior," he said. The car was originally driven in Florida and leather seats would have been too hot to ride on, so the manufacturer made the adjustment.

McCartt also owns a 1970 Jaguar

E-type Roadster that has doubled in value since he bought it in 1999. In addition, he is restoring a second Jaguar that he describes as a drive around car, with perfect blue, leather interior. His 1980 Austin Mini Cooper S is even smaller than the Minis in the movie "The Italian Job," and his 1979 Volkswagon Beetle convertible is notable because it is the triple white champagne edition.

"The new VW's are nice, but you can't find the white interior, exterior and top any more, and that's what I like," he said.

Roadway adventures

In addition to the car shows, McCartt's collection has led him on many adventures, including driving the Rolls-Royce in all 88 Ohio counties as part of an English car competition.

"My wife and I made the trek in four months, even though we were given a year to do it," he said.

They started in Butler County, and finished their trip in Wyandot County near Lake Erie. McCartt said the only trouble he had was when he blew out a tire near Findlay.

"We saw all kinds of sights, and it even got kind of dangerous when we had to stand in the middle of a curvy road to get a picture of the county sign," he said.

McCartt won four coffee mugs for his journey, but said he never entered the contest for the prize.

Looking for something new

When asked if he'll continue to add to his collection, McCartt said he is always on the lookout for something new, but added that cars aren't his only love. In addition to his automobiles, he owns a 1986, 27-foot Regal Ambassador boat, and weekends find him at Kings Island, where he has been a train engineer for the past eight years.

Contact this writer at tlhrsly@cinci.rr.com.

Share your collection

Do you have an interesting collection? Know anyone who does? We'd like to know!

Our Collector's Corner feature showcases local people and their collections. From ceramic figurines to antique furniture to books to tools, you'll find it in Collector's Corner. View collections and add your own photographs at journal-news.com/collections.