Home Photos Inside the Academy of Art’s Private Car Collection

  • Inside the Academy of Art’s Private Car Collection

  • 1 March 2011 by 5 Comments
singleimage

I recently had the opportunity to photograph the San Francisco Academy of Art University’s private classic car collection. The connection between a classic car collection and an art school might not make sense at first, but this is the private collection of the family behind the university, not to mention the fact that the Academy also has a car design program. All makes sense now right?

The entire collection was recently moved to the massive former Mercedes showcase at 950 Van Ness Ave. The multi-story building is stuffed to the gills with beautiful, perfectly-restored antique machines. This building is a place to house the cars
rather than a museum proper.

Like a kid in a candy store, I drooled over the masterpieces of engineering as I carefully maneuvered my tripod between narrow clearances of million dollar gems, getting hundreds of close-ups of every detail. Unfortunately (for photography’s sake) the warehouse is lit with direct florescent tube lights which produce impossible-to-hide reflections all over the finish of the flawless paint jobs, not to mention horrible color temperature for shooting chrome parts. I usually like to “buff out” the light reflections in Photoshop, but I just don’t have the dozens of hours required to do it right now.

Photo Gallery: The Academy of Art’s Private Car Collection

These are a few closeup shots through a Canon 85mm f/1.2L. This baby is one of Canon’s masterpieces of glass, or the “Bokeh King” as I like to call him.

Hey Mister, Where You Headed?<br /><span style="font-size:0.8em;">On February 26, 2011 I had the opportunity to photograph the San Francisco Academy of Art's classic car collection at 950 Van Ness Av. These are a few closeup shots through the lens of Canon's masterpiece (and king of bokeh) 85mm f/1.2L attached to a 5d Mark II. Unfortunately, the warehouse is lit with direct florescent tube lights which produce impossible to hide reflections everywhere, not to mention horrible color temperature for shooting chrome parts. I usually like to "buff out" the light reflections in Photoshop, but I just don't have the many hours to do it right now.</span> • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20290998@N08/5490367460/" target="_blank"></a>
Hey Mister, Where You Headed?
Stutz<br /><span style="font-size:0.8em;">On February 26, 2011 I had the opportunity to photograph the San Francisco Academy of Art's classic car collection at 950 Van Ness Av. These are a few closeup shots through the lens of Canon's masterpiece (and king of bokeh) 85mm f/1.2L attached to a 5d Mark II. Unfortunately, the warehouse is lit with direct florescent tube lights which produce impossible to hide reflections everywhere, not to mention horrible color temperature for shooting chrome parts. I usually like to "buff out" the light reflections in Photoshop, but I just don't have the many hours to do it right now.</span> • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20290998@N08/5489781025/" target="_blank"></a>
Stutz
Cadillac<br /><span style="font-size:0.8em;">On February 26, 2011 I had the opportunity to photograph the San Francisco Academy of Art's classic car collection at 950 Van Ness Av. These are a few closeup shots through the lens of Canon's masterpiece (and king of bokeh) 85mm f/1.2L attached to a 5d Mark II. Unfortunately, the warehouse is lit with direct florescent tube lights which produce impossible to hide reflections everywhere, not to mention horrible color temperature for shooting chrome parts. I usually like to "buff out" the light reflections in Photoshop, but I just don't have the many hours to do it right now.</span> • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20290998@N08/5490363528/" target="_blank"></a>
Cadillac
Edsel<br /><span style="font-size:0.8em;">On February 26, 2011 I had the opportunity to photograph the San Francisco Academy of Art's classic car collection at 950 Van Ness Av. These are a few closeup shots through the lens of Canon's masterpiece (and king of bokeh) 85mm f/1.2L attached to a 5d Mark II. Unfortunately, the warehouse is lit with direct florescent tube lights which produce impossible to hide reflections everywhere, not to mention horrible color temperature for shooting chrome parts. I usually like to "buff out" the light reflections in Photoshop, but I just don't have the many hours to do it right now.</span> • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20290998@N08/5490365976/" target="_blank"></a>
Edsel
Rolls Royce<br /><span style="font-size:0.8em;">On February 26, 2011 I had the opportunity to photograph the San Francisco Academy of Art's classic car collection at 950 Van Ness Av. These are a few closeup shots through the lens of Canon's masterpiece (and king of bokeh) 85mm f/1.2L attached to a 5d Mark II. Unfortunately, the warehouse is lit with direct florescent tube lights which produce impossible to hide reflections everywhere, not to mention horrible color temperature for shooting chrome parts. I usually like to "buff out" the light reflections in Photoshop, but I just don't have the many hours to do it right now.</span> • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20290998@N08/5490368336/" target="_blank"></a>
Rolls Royce
Rolls Royce<br /><span style="font-size:0.8em;">On February 26, 2011 I had the opportunity to photograph the San Francisco Academy of Art's classic car collection at 950 Van Ness Av. These are a few closeup shots through the lens of Canon's masterpiece (and king of bokeh) 85mm f/1.2L attached to a 5d Mark II. Unfortunately, the warehouse is lit with direct florescent tube lights which produce impossible to hide reflections everywhere, not to mention horrible color temperature for shooting chrome parts. I usually like to "buff out" the light reflections in Photoshop, but I just don't have the many hours to do it right now.</span> • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20290998@N08/5489766077/" target="_blank"></a>
Rolls Royce
Auburn<br /><span style="font-size:0.8em;">On February 26, 2011 I had the opportunity to photograph the San Francisco Academy of Art's classic car collection at 950 Van Ness Av. These are a few closeup shots through the lens of Canon's masterpiece (and king of bokeh) 85mm f/1.2L attached to a 5d Mark II. Unfortunately, the warehouse is lit with direct florescent tube lights which produce impossible to hide reflections everywhere, not to mention horrible color temperature for shooting chrome parts. I usually like to "buff out" the light reflections in Photoshop, but I just don't have the many hours to do it right now.</span> • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20290998@N08/5489767995/" target="_blank"></a>
Auburn
Mercedes 300SL Gull Wing<br /><span style="font-size:0.8em;">On February 26, 2011 I had the opportunity to photograph the San Francisco Academy of Art's classic car collection at 950 Van Ness Av. These are a few closeup shots through the lens of Canon's masterpiece (and king of bokeh) 85mm f/1.2L attached to a 5d Mark II. Unfortunately, the warehouse is lit with direct florescent tube lights which produce impossible to hide reflections everywhere, not to mention horrible color temperature for shooting chrome parts. I usually like to "buff out" the light reflections in Photoshop, but I just don't have the many hours to do it right now.</span> • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20290998@N08/5489780489/" target="_blank"></a>
Mercedes 300SL Gull Wing
Florida 000-000<br /><span style="font-size:0.8em;">On February 26, 2011 I had the opportunity to photograph the San Francisco Academy of Art's classic car collection at 950 Van Ness Av. These are a few closeup shots through the lens of Canon's masterpiece (and king of bokeh) 85mm f/1.2L attached to a 5d Mark II. Unfortunately, the warehouse is lit with direct florescent tube lights which produce impossible to hide reflections everywhere, not to mention horrible color temperature for shooting chrome parts. I usually like to "buff out" the light reflections in Photoshop, but I just don't have the many hours to do it right now.</span> • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20290998@N08/5489769689/" target="_blank"></a>
Florida 000-000
Allard<br /><span style="font-size:0.8em;">On February 26, 2011 I had the opportunity to photograph the San Francisco Academy of Art's classic car collection at 950 Van Ness Av. These are a few closeup shots through the lens of Canon's masterpiece (and king of bokeh) 85mm f/1.2L attached to a 5d Mark II. Unfortunately, the warehouse is lit with direct florescent tube lights which produce impossible to hide reflections everywhere, not to mention horrible color temperature for shooting chrome parts. I usually like to "buff out" the light reflections in Photoshop, but I just don't have the many hours to do it right now.</span> • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20290998@N08/5489777565/" target="_blank"></a>
Allard
1954 Chevy Corvette<br /><span style="font-size:0.8em;">On February 26, 2011 I had the opportunity to photograph the San Francisco Academy of Art's classic car collection at 950 Van Ness Av. These are a few closeup shots through the lens of Canon's masterpiece (and king of bokeh) 85mm f/1.2L attached to a 5d Mark II. Unfortunately, the warehouse is lit with direct florescent tube lights which produce impossible to hide reflections everywhere, not to mention horrible color temperature for shooting chrome parts. I usually like to "buff out" the light reflections in Photoshop, but I just don't have the many hours to do it right now.</span> • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20290998@N08/5490371670/" target="_blank"></a>
1954 Chevy Corvette
Latch<br /><span style="font-size:0.8em;">On February 26, 2011 I had the opportunity to photograph the San Francisco Academy of Art's classic car collection at 950 Van Ness Av. These are a few closeup shots through the lens of Canon's masterpiece (and king of bokeh) 85mm f/1.2L attached to a 5d Mark II. Unfortunately, the warehouse is lit with direct florescent tube lights which produce impossible to hide reflections everywhere, not to mention horrible color temperature for shooting chrome parts. I usually like to "buff out" the light reflections in Photoshop, but I just don't have the many hours to do it right now.</span> • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20290998@N08/5490375220/" target="_blank"></a>
Latch
Auburn 852 Super-Charged<br /><span style="font-size:0.8em;">On February 26, 2011 I had the opportunity to photograph the San Francisco Academy of Art's classic car collection at 950 Van Ness Av. These are a few closeup shots through the lens of Canon's masterpiece (and king of bokeh) 85mm f/1.2L attached to a 5d Mark II. Unfortunately, the warehouse is lit with direct florescent tube lights which produce impossible to hide reflections everywhere, not to mention horrible color temperature for shooting chrome parts. I usually like to "buff out" the light reflections in Photoshop, but I just don't have the many hours to do it right now.</span> • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20290998@N08/5489767165/" target="_blank"></a>
Auburn 852 Super-Charged
Auburn 852<br /><span style="font-size:0.8em;">On February 26, 2011 I had the opportunity to photograph the San Francisco Academy of Art's classic car collection at 950 Van Ness Av. These are a few closeup shots through the lens of Canon's masterpiece (and king of bokeh) 85mm f/1.2L attached to a 5d Mark II. Unfortunately, the warehouse is lit with direct florescent tube lights which produce impossible to hide reflections everywhere, not to mention horrible color temperature for shooting chrome parts. I usually like to "buff out" the light reflections in Photoshop, but I just don't have the many hours to do it right now.</span> • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20290998@N08/5489771577/" target="_blank"></a>
Auburn 852
Lights & Blue<br /><span style="font-size:0.8em;">On February 26, 2011 I had the opportunity to photograph the San Francisco Academy of Art's classic car collection at 950 Van Ness Av. These are a few closeup shots through the lens of Canon's masterpiece (and king of bokeh) 85mm f/1.2L attached to a 5d Mark II. Unfortunately, the warehouse is lit with direct florescent tube lights which produce impossible to hide reflections everywhere, not to mention horrible color temperature for shooting chrome parts. I usually like to "buff out" the light reflections in Photoshop, but I just don't have the many hours to do it right now.</span> • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20290998@N08/5489779297/" target="_blank"></a>
Lights & Blue
Cadillac Gem Goddess<br /><span style="font-size:0.8em;">On February 26, 2011 I had the opportunity to photograph the San Francisco Academy of Art's classic car collection at 950 Van Ness Av. These are a few closeup shots through the lens of Canon's masterpiece (and king of bokeh) 85mm f/1.2L attached to a 5d Mark II. Unfortunately, the warehouse is lit with direct florescent tube lights which produce impossible to hide reflections everywhere, not to mention horrible color temperature for shooting chrome parts. I usually like to "buff out" the light reflections in Photoshop, but I just don't have the many hours to do it right now.</span> • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20290998@N08/5490359658/" target="_blank"></a>
Cadillac Gem Goddess
Gray & Red<br /><span style="font-size:0.8em;">On February 26, 2011 I had the opportunity to photograph the San Francisco Academy of Art's classic car collection at 950 Van Ness Av. These are a few closeup shots through the lens of Canon's masterpiece (and king of bokeh) 85mm f/1.2L attached to a 5d Mark II. Unfortunately, the warehouse is lit with direct florescent tube lights which produce impossible to hide reflections everywhere, not to mention horrible color temperature for shooting chrome parts. I usually like to "buff out" the light reflections in Photoshop, but I just don't have the many hours to do it right now.</span> • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20290998@N08/5490373366/" target="_blank"></a>
Gray & Red
BMW Isetta 300<br /><span style="font-size:0.8em;">On February 26, 2011 I had the opportunity to photograph the San Francisco Academy of Art's classic car collection at 950 Van Ness Av. These are a few closeup shots through the lens of Canon's masterpiece (and king of bokeh) 85mm f/1.2L attached to a 5d Mark II. Unfortunately, the warehouse is lit with direct florescent tube lights which produce impossible to hide reflections everywhere, not to mention horrible color temperature for shooting chrome parts. I usually like to "buff out" the light reflections in Photoshop, but I just don't have the many hours to do it right now.</span> • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20290998@N08/5489773981/" target="_blank"></a>
BMW Isetta 300
Chevy<br /><span style="font-size:0.8em;">On February 26, 2011 I had the opportunity to photograph the San Francisco Academy of Art's classic car collection at 950 Van Ness Av. These are a few closeup shots through the lens of Canon's masterpiece (and king of bokeh) 85mm f/1.2L attached to a 5d Mark II. Unfortunately, the warehouse is lit with direct florescent tube lights which produce impossible to hide reflections everywhere, not to mention horrible color temperature for shooting chrome parts. I usually like to "buff out" the light reflections in Photoshop, but I just don't have the many hours to do it right now.</span> • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20290998@N08/5489775345/" target="_blank"></a>
Chevy

Just click a photo to begin the slideshow. Click again to change slides.

  • Michael

    That’s nice Shawn. I didn’t even know the collection existed and will add it to my to do list ASAP.

    • http://www.shawnclover.com Shawn Clover

      Michael, unfortunately it’s not a place open to the public, at least not yet. They may have plans to open it as a museum at some point, but right now it’s just a warehouse to house the collection. Many of the cars get taken out to car shows though.

  • http://infolab.stanford.edu/~gio/ Gio

    It seems that at least part of the collection can be viewed – by guided tour appmnt,\Some where also shown at the recent Marin-Sonoma concours

  • ray ingram

    I was in san fran as an australian tourist and i am a member of the american cadillac lasalle club. I was staying around the corner in polk st and just happened to wander around the corner and see in this show room an approx 1930  V16 cadillac [BEAUTIFULL] and other superb classic and vintage cars, i could not believe my eyes. The collection is not available to the public as it is part of the art academy universitys collection for student study.MANY THANKS TO SHAWN FOR SHOWING THE PHOTOGRAPHS .RAY

  • http://www.subarucity.ca/index.htm Sebastian Gaydos

    Well… you could say that designing cars is like art. It’s like a sculpting, though a car requires function in the form of transportation as well. Anyway, the photos you took are gorgeous. You had a good model; so sleek and so shiny.