Welcome to Leake Motorcar Company. In 2003, I decided to start my own business in order to pursue my passion for classic and special interest automobiles. My name is James C. Leake, III, and I am a third generation car collector and enthusiast. After working several years for my family's auction company, I believed that I could better serve my friends and clients by devoting my personal attention to specific cars that are of particular interest to me. As a young man, I was blessed to have grown up around one of the greatest classic car collections ever assembled, and I have been obsessed with cars ever since. My Grandfather and namesake was an avid collector and widely recognized authority on Pre-War Classics. He began seriously collecting cars in the early Sixties along with the likes of Tom Barrett, Russ Jackson, Millard Newman, Ralph Englestadt, Bill Harrah, and so many other pioneers of the collector car hobby. From humble beginnings, he was able to create a broadcasting empire that allowed him the resources to pursue his passion for classic and antique automobiles. Although his interests varied from turn of the century "Brass Cars" to the great classics of the Thirties, his greatest passion was for Rolls-Royces, with a particular emphasis on Silver Ghosts and early Phantoms. Prior to the sale of his collection in the late Eighties, he had amassed the largest, private collection of Rolls-Royces in the world, which he proudly displayed in a museum open to the public. Consequently, I had the great fortune and personal honor to experience first hand some of the finest and rarest cars ever known.
My father was an avid collector of European sports cars, legendary race cars, post-war American classics, and more modern exotics. As a child, it was not uncommon for me to ride to school in 1981 Ferrari Boxer one day and get picked up in a 1955 Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing the next. I was born with a fine appreciation and love for cars of all types, and my family indulged me in my passion. My father was always keenly interested in the evolution of the automobile, and he shared his interest and vast knowledge with me as a willing student. I have been on ABC's Wild World of Sports as my Grandfather's 1902 Locomobile Steamer caught on fire during the annual London-to-Brighton Run, and I have traveled down the back, country roads of Oklahoma in my father's 1970 Maserati Ghibli 4.9 SS Convertible, at speeds that are unmentionable. I have traveled over a good bit of the world, seen just about every unique car known to man, met famous people in and out of the hobby, and have had experiences that my children, unfortunately, will probably never get to share in their lifetime. By all accounts, I have had a privileged life that only a serious car enthusiast could appreciate.
Today, Leake Motorcar Company represents the culmination of my legacy and my desire to follow in the footsteps of my Grandfather and my father. Working several years for Leake Auction Company, which was started by my Grandfather in 1964, has allowed me the experience to transform a hobby into a full time occupation. I have worked with some of the most recognized names in the car hobby, such as Kruse International and eBay Motors, and I have had dealings with most of the largest dealers, private collectors, and auction companies in the country. I bought and sold my first collector car, a 1959 Chevrolet Corvette "Fuelie", at the age of 14, and I have never looked back. Although I have started my company with modest ambitions, I look forward to many years of success in acquiring fine and rare special interest cars, and building personal relationships with like minded enthusiasts and collectors that will last well into the future. Ultimately, I am the same person that I cater to - a family man, a business professional, and a collector with a passion for fine and distinctive automobiles. Thank you for visiting my website, and please feel free to contact me if I may be assistance to you in your hobby.
Please click here to read Leake Motorcar's Mission Statement.