Mecum Auctions J. Geils Collection of Italian Cars

This week RPM News Weekly pays tribute to legendary rock guitarist John J. Geils whose band amassed a string of popular hits in the 1970s and 80s including the #1 chart topper Centerfold.

It may seem strange to our automotive audience that RPM News Weekly would take the program in this direction, but there are couple of important connections here.

First, J. Geils, who passed away in April, was a good friend of Jim Barisano, CEO of WheelsTV with whom RPM News Weekly is closely affiliated.

And secondly, he was a passionate collector of classic Italian motor vehicles. This week, his outstanding treasure of Italian exotic cars and motorcycles will be auctioned without reserves to the highest bidders at the 2017 Mecum Daytime Auction in Monterey, California.

The collection includes five unforgettable cars and three wonderful motorcycles.

The flagship of the collection is a 1961 Ferrari 250 GTE 2+2 which comes equipped with its original 3-liter V12 engine and 5-speed transmission.

It was Geils goal to collect vehicles from the five celebrated Italian automakers Ferrari, Maserati, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, and Lancia as evidenced by the others vehicle to be auctioned – a 1967 Lancia Flaminia 2.8 3C, a 1967 Fiat Dino Spyder, and two vehicles whose restorations were still in progress at the musician’s time of death, a 1958 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint, and a 1966 Maserati Sebring.

For motorcycle enthusiasts, the Geils’ collection includes a 1983 Benelli 900 SEI, a 1976 MV Agusta 125 SS and a 1970 Ducati 350 Desmo.

Included are some excerpts from a 2013 WGBH video featuring J. Geils in his garage with the cars.