Stanley Howard Lucas

Born to Leslie and Amy Lucas in December, 1938, Stan was a quiet, headstrong middle-child, preferring to read comic books and play with toy trains over working on the farm. He began collecting vintage cars in his teens. "I drove a 1920 Dodge to school in the seventh grade," he shared of life in rural Clements, California.

After graduating from UC Berkeley in Mechanical Engineering in 1962, Stan traveled to New Zealand, worked briefly in the defense industry, and taught physics and math at Pacific State University. But ultimately, he found his calling as an entrepreneur.

Ventures included The New US Golf, Inc; brasier manufacturer Form O-Uth Manufacturing Co, Inc; and the antique mall, Pieces of the Past. In one early endeavor, Stan owned coin-operated laundry machines in several apartment buildings and would travel around to the machines each week with coffee cans. Filled to the brim, each can held $75 in quarters---an impressive haul for Stan in those days.

In 1976, Stan began acquiring industrial real estate in southern California. He then expanded into the design, construction, and management of multi-tenant buildings. Most recently, he began developing housing communities in Northern, Nevada, with plans in the works to add 5200 homes, roads and commercial buildings in the region.

Stan took greatest pride in Lucas Automotive Engineering. Stan started this business in 1957, making explosion whistles and steering wheels for early Fords. This grew to encompass the manufacturing of hard- to-find tires for antique car collectors worldwide. It was a perfect marriage of his enterprising spirit and his own passion for collecting planes, trains and automobiles.

Stan's team specialized in acquiring and restoring steam powered vehicles, including miniature trains, steam boats, a steam engine for a Bessler airplane, and an unrivaled collection of Stanley and Doble steam-driven cars. Stan showed off his collection at car shows and parades from Pebble Beach Concours d' Elegance to Amelia Island and the Rose Parade.

Standouts from his unmatched collection include a 1911 Oldsmobile Limited that won the 2006 Ansel Adam's award at Pebble Beach; a one-of-a-kind 1928 Lincoln LeBaron Aero Phaeton; and the infamous Thelma Todd Death Car, the 1932 Lincoln Phaeton, in which the young film star was mysteriously found dead in 1935. When asked which of the cars was his favorite, Stan would say, "The next one I buy."

Stan’s other collections include antique farm equipment, an enviable library of books on transportation and world history, and an eclectic assortment of bells and whistles---he truly had them all.

Preceded in death by his parents, Leslie and Amy, as well as his two siblings, Raymond and Linda, and dear friends, Roberta, Len, Harry & Bill, Stan died peacefully at his home in Venice, California, on January 11, 2025, surrounded by his chosen family, John, Scott, Garret, Carmen & Helen.

Stan’s contributions to the antique automobile world will be missed by all who marvel at his wonderful time machines. His legacy will continue at Lucas Classic Tires, serving the vintage and classic car community he treasured. A Stan Lucas Memorial Car Show will be held in the springtime, followed by a final tour through the Lucas Car Collection.

Stay tuned for details.