An Alabama man's vintage car collection was uncovered after his death - and the new buyers were surprised to find that many cars in the $1million portfolio were in near-pristine condition.
Earl Trammell, 88, hailed from the tiny town of Warrior, with a population just over 3,000.
He was known for his love of cars, especially Corvettes, and stored the vehicles he purchased in places ranging from the basements of investment properties to a barn.
'He would just buy Corvettes and put them up, brand new. We’d buy houses and he’d put them in basements,' Trammel's brother-in-law, John Hollander, said.
However, the world didn't know about the extent of Trammell's collection of barely-used vehicles until after his death in May 2022.
This included a 1998 Indy Pace Car with just 23 miles on the odometer.
Earl Trammell died at 88 in 2022, leaving behind an expansive vintage car collection
Trammell, who hailed from Alabama, was known to many as an avid collector
However, the extent of his passion was not realized until after his death, when two men purchased his 22-car collection
Many of the cars were in near perfect condition, including a 1998 Indianapolis 500 pace car with only 23 miles on the odometer
When Trammell’s widow, Patricia, settled his estate, she sold the vehicles to Alabama car wholesaler John Pierce and his business partner John Clay Wolfe.
Although Patricia sold the duo a 1996 Porsche about one and a half years ago, she recently called them to say she was trying to unload a 1997 Corvette with only 100 miles on it.
This grew into her wanting to sell the entire collection - which, to the business partners' surprise, was stored in a barn.
'It was a tiny little barn in Alabama that looked ridiculous. Like, you would never expect there’s a million dollars worth of cars there,' Pierce said.
He and Wolfe negotiated with Patricia and sent payment the next day for the 22 vehicles, all purchased between the 1970s and 1990s.
Moving the cars required some intensive labor, as they had not been driven.
Pierce and Wolfe used rollers, not wanting to add radiator fluid, oil or fuel, as they had bigger plans for the vehicles.
'These cars that are new from 1971, 1978, there’s no reason to make them wet because the odds are they’re going to live the rest of their lives in a museum or a collection,' Wolfe said.
'Right now, its going to be our collection because I’m selling nothing. This is the biggest day I’ve had in a long time, I’m really excited.'
John Pierce and John Clay Wolfe bought the cars from Trammell's widow, Patricia, who decided to sell the entire collection
The vehicles had been stored in a small, unassuming barn in Alabama
Using rollers, the men moved the cars out of the barn, not wanting to add oil or 'make them wet'
The cars are likely going to go to a museum or collection, according to Wolfe, though he and Pierce have conflicting opinions about whether they should sell or hold on to the vehicles
Wolfe showcased the collection on his YouTube channel, The John Clay Wolfe Show.
Standouts included a purple Indy pace car with yellow interior that he described as obnoxious - 'but in muscle cars, obnoxious is a good thing.'
He also highlighted a white Stingray with red leather interior. Its window sticker was still affixed and seats were encased in plastic.
Several of the cars were nearly brand-new, including Trammell's beloved Corvettes - two of which, a 1988 35th Anniversary Corvette and a 1990 Corvette ZR1, only had 25 miles on them.
'I've heard of situations like this...not very often,' Wolfe said.
'These were properly stored. They're still in the hospital, it's like a bunch of new babies.
'This is the goofiest thing I’ve seen in my career. I’ve been doing this 31 years, I’ve never seen anything like this. I don't know what to do!
'This is by far the biggest find of my career.'
However, Wolfe and Pierce are conflicted about next steps.
'He’s gonna want to sell them and I don’t wanna sell them … I’m not gonna screw him out of anything, but I don’t want to sell them,' Wolfe said.
When Trammell died, his brother-in-law encouraged sister Patricia to sell the vehicles, saying: 'These cars need to be out where people can see them.'
Trammell began rebuilding 1957 Chevrolets and later rented a garage from a relative to refurbish damaged cars
A few years later he opened his first auto shop, 'Foreign Car Paint and Body,' and found instant success
'Earl taught people how to “Do Better, Be Better” and pushed you because he could see your potential,' Trammell's obituary reads
Trammell's obituary describes him as a hardworking man who quit school to work and help his family financially.
'He had determination and the will to make a better life for himself and his future,' it reads.
Trammell began rebuilding 1957 Chevrolets and would store them in warehouses.
But his passion grew, and in 1960, he rented a four-car garage from a family member where he could repair wrecked vehicles.
He quickly found that he had a knack for fixing cars, as he could match any paint color simply by looking at it could paint a perfectly straight pinstripe by hand.
A few years later he opened his first auto shop, 'Foreign Car Paint and Body.'
Trammell found instant success and was able to buy his dream building in the eighties, a property in Birmingham, where he stayed until retiring in 2020.
'Earl taught people how to “Do Better, Be Better” and pushed you because he could see your potential,' the obit reads. 'He will truly be missed.'
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