Writer Joseph J. Airdo // Photography by Loralei Lazurek

Beginning with the world’s first mass-produced vehicle — a 1902 Curved Dash Oldsmobile — and culminating with a Kensington Green 1959 Cadillac Eldorado convertible with bucket seats, strolling through the Janet Cussler Car Collection in Scottsdale is like stepping back in time and being able to see five decades of innovation, art and societal progress all at once.

The vintage automobile collection, housed in a by-appointment-only private viewing space, represents owner Janet Cussler’s love not only for her late husband — best-selling author Clive Cussler — but also for fine art and history.

“An automobile is a rolling piece of artwork,” Janet says. “It is also reflective of our society and our history. Each one tells a story — of the industrial revolution, of the advancement of women’s rights, of different [fashion eras] and art periods and more.”

Cruising with Clive
Having developed a love for classic cars during his youth, Clive started collecting vintage automobiles in the 1970s — many of which can be seen at a museum in Arvada, Colorado, that was opened in 2005 by his children, to whom he gifted his collection.

That same year, Clive met Janet, whom he then married in 2008. Deciding to make Paradise Valley their permanent home, the couple sought a few daily drivers with which they could get around town and supplemented their 1954 Jaguar XK120 Roadster — which Clive had already owned — with a 1930 Packard 734 Speedster Runabout.

Not long after that, Janet gave Clive a 1931 Ford Model A as a Christmas gift, which he modified with racing carburetors. The following year, Clive returned the favor and gifted Janet a red 1955 MG TF1500.

“It did not take long, but with my love of antique cars as rolling pieces of classical art as great as Clive’s, he and I were looking forward to the next car auction, networking with friends and purchasing our next favorite pre-war car,” Janet says. “One car led to another until we had to take our sports court down so that we could put up temporary tents [to house them].”

However, those tents were quickly filled, prompting the couple to rent space for their ever-growing collection of vintage vehicles.

“Then a fire engine showed up in our driveway,” says Janet, noting that Clive had bought her the 1917 Ahrens-Fox for her birthday. “I thanked my husband, then politely said to him, ‘It is absolutely gorgeous, but it will not fit in my jewelry box.’ His immediate reply was, ‘Well, then let’s buy a bigger box.’

“We moved the cars from our sports court and rental spaces into a warehouse, but it was too full so we had to buy another space next to it. We then filled that one and another one and another one until we finally had four spaces filled with more than 40 cars, two airplanes and, of course, the fire engine.”

Vintage Vibes
Sadly, Clive passed away in early 2020. However, his memory continues to live on through his captivating adventure novels, such as “Gray Ghost” and “Raise the Titanic.” Moreover, the love that he had for both Janet and classic cars is still very strongly felt through the vintage collection that he and his wife accumulated and enjoyed together.

“Each of these cars has a story,” says Janet, who has a master’s in Fine Art, Design and Education. “It has some memory of how we bought it, why we bought it and the significance that it had to Clive because of his historical background and the significance that I related to having studied art and art history. And we enjoyed them together. We both saw the beauty in them and the ingenuity of what went into them.”

Janet’s cars are now beautifully displayed across 7,500 square feet of viewing space in Scottsdale, which is gorgeously arranged to accommodate by-appointment-only private and corporate events.

Among her collection — which is mostly dedicated to prewar vehicles — are a 1906 Packard Model S; a 1907 Mitchell Model E Runabout; a 1908 Columbus 10HP Two-Cylinder Autobuggy; a 1911 Ford Model T; a 1914 Pathfinder Touring; a 1916 Pierce Arrow Seven-Passenger Model 66-A-4; a 1917 Cadillac Opera Coupe; a 1919 Kissel 6-45 Speedster; a 1919 Locomobile Model 48 Six-Fender Town Car; and a 1937 Cord 812 Sportsman Coupe.

Of course, the collection also includes the 1959 Cadillac Eldorado, which Janet notes is the largest-finned automobile ever built.

“She is an icon of beauty,” Janet says. “She is also one of a kind. There is not another one that is finished like her. By the way, there is a reason that you refer to your car as a she; because she is expensive.”

Janet adds that many people may not realize that women have played a very active role in the development of vehicles. In fact, a woman was the first person to drive an automobile from one town to another.

“Mr. [Carl] Benz had made this contraption but did not really think that it could truly travel anywhere,” Janet explains. “He had gone away for the weekend and Mrs. Benz decided to take it out with her children to visit the next town. When her husband returned from his trip, he was absolutely flabbergasted at the fact that she was able to do this.”

Other women who made significant contributions to automotive history include Alice Huyler Ramsey, who was the first woman to drive an automobile across the U.S., and Mary Anderson, who is credited with inventing the windshield wiper while touring New York in a trolley car on a snowy day.

Sprinkled throughout the viewing space are also other collectibles that amplify the antique ambience — such as Mobil gas signs and pumps as well as several mannequins sporting examples of authentic driving attire and other outfits that women wore during each era.

“I have a 1908 day dress and a 1910 tea gown from Paris,” Janet notes. “Of course, I also have a flapper dress from the Roaring ‘20s. And I honestly believe that some of these [outfits] outdo even Ralph Lauren.”

Chariots of Charity
With so much passion for and knowledge about automobile history, Janet loves to share her collection with others. Therefore, in addition to offering the viewing space for private and corporate events, she also occasionally hosts charitable activities — such as last month’s Champagne, Chocolate and Cars fundraiser to benefit Carolyn Eynon Singers.

The daughter of a car dealer and wife of a car collector, Carolyn Eynon Singers’ namesake and founding director, Carolyn Eynon, shares Janet’s profound appreciation for vintage automobiles.

“Janet and I met five years ago at a social event for a car club,” Carolyn explains. “Two years ago, she graciously opened her museum to my choir’s annual fundraiser and it was such a marvelous success — not just due to her wonderful hospitality but because of the uniqueness of her collection.”

Therefore, Carolyn was extremely pleased to present her fundraiser among Janet’s collection again this year.

“I really admire her historical knowledge, her artistic flair and her appreciation for both the interior and exterior of cars,” says Carolyn, noting that her choir members — who are used to singing in auditoriums, churches and public parks — find performing in Janet’s masterfully curated and beautifully designed private museum to be a very special experience.

Moreover, it allows Carolyn Eynon Singers to present exciting choral programs, such as “Songs from Across the Pond” — which, set for Sunday, March 17, at St. Barnabas on the Desert Episcopal Church in Paradise Valley, will feature music from English, Scottish and Irish composers.

“My choir is a 501(c)(3),” Carolyn says. “I do not have a big budget. But because of Janet’s hospitality, we have found success.”

Janet is more than happy to help.

“Carolyn’s group is absolutely wonderful,” she says. “I grew up with music and dance. I once lived right outside of New York City, surrounded by theater, the symphony, opera and ballet. So [the performing arts] have always been another passion of mine.”

‘Songs from Across the Pond’
Sunday, March 17 // 4 p.m. // St. Barnabas on the Desert Episcopal Church // 6715 N. Mockingbird Lane, Paradise Valley // $25+; youth, student and group discounts available // cesingers.org