The War Eagles Air Museum Collection Sale
The War Eagles Air Museum in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, houses an impressive collection of WWII and Korean war aircraft. Nestled under their wings are several interesting vehicles as well, but the museum’s main focus is on military vehicles that fly. To that end, they are auctioning some of their four-wheeled terrestrial treasures at no reserve, with proceeds from the sale (including the BaT buyer’s fees) benefiting the museum. This eclectic handful of cars is the first installment of the War Eagles Air Museum collection, and we’re hoping to see more in the coming months. Fair warning: you’re going to see some cool warbirds lurking in the galleries!
Cars from the War Eagles collection will begin going live on MM/DD. We’ll update this collection preview with links to live auctions as they become available.
1931 Chrysler CD-8 Deluxe Sport Roadster
The oldest car in this installment is a Chrysler CD-8—one of less than 1,500 built in the model’s first year of production. This was an intermediate model styled like the full-size luxury cars of the day, and with its L-head straight eight, the CD-8 proved to be a solid competitor in international road racing. This example participated in The Great Race rally in 1986, and features dual side-mount spares, a wire-mesh grille insert, Trippe driving lights, cowl lamps, glass wind wings, a tan soft top, a rumble seat, and a fold-down luggage rack.
1958 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz
Cadillac went exotic in the late 1950s, naming their top-shelf trim level after the luxurious French village of Biarritz and trimming their interiors out in leather from African Cape Buffalo. Outside, the big Caddy was pure Jet-Age Americana, with Dagmar bumpers, big tail fins, and chrome, chrome, chrome. Inside, it featured every convenience—motorized seats, windows, top, and locks, power steering and brakes, and air conditioning. We can’t imagine a car better suited for the long, straight highways of the Southwest.
1968 Porsche 912 Coupe
Numerous American airmen purchased Porsches like this short-wheelbase 912 while stationed in Germany. This car, however, is a US-market version finished in Light Ivory over red leather, with chromed steel wheels and an older air conditioning retrofit.
1970 Jaguar E-Type Series II Roadster
This Jaguar XKE roadster has been with the museum’s founders since 1989, the year their private collection became the War Eagles Museum. It is a Series II example in silver over blue leather, and like other cars in the collection, has reportedly been kept in running and driving condition—a rarity for cars on long-term display—with its last service and inspection occurring in July 2026.
1968 Mercedes-Benz 250SL 4-Speed
The final vehicle in this installment is a Signal Red Pagoda riding on Bundt wheels, with a fuel-injected M129 inline-six and four-speed manual transmission. Like the E-Type, this car has resided with the collection since 1989, and featured a rear jump seat, aka the California Coupe option, though speakers now reside in the rear parcel shelf.
Thus concludes Part I of the War Eagles Air Museum Collection. All proceeds, including the BaT buyer’s fee, will benefit the museum, a 503(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
