Sale of car collection nets $14.3M for cancer hospital

The buyer is well-known for his representation in national lawsuits.

COLUMBUS (AP) — A prominent Texas trial lawyer who collects classic cars now owns most of the Rolls-Royce cars auctioned by Columbus developer Richard J. Solove to raise funds for a cancer hospital at Ohio State.

Billionaire John O’Quinn successfully bid on eight of Solove’s 15 automobiles Sunday at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance auction in Florida.

Solove, 82, said he will donate the $14.3 million he received for his collection — which included 13 Rolls-Royce cars and two others — to the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Ohio State University’s Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Solove had predicted that the cars would go for about $15 million.

Among O’Quinn’s purchases was the most expensive, a $2.97 million 1912 Rolls-Royce SG limousine.

About the buyer

O’Quinn has been at the forefront of national litigation, such as Texas’ $17.3 billion settlement with the tobacco industry and lawsuits against breast-implant manufacturers. But he has also been prosecuted by the State Bar of Texas for how he obtained cases and found in contempt midtrial for sleeping in a jury room.

Most recently, O’Quinn represented the late Anna Nicole Smith’s mother, Virgie Arthur, in a custody battle over Smith’s baby.

O’Quinn, who has been amassing vintage cars for a number of years, plans to open a car museum in Houston in 2009. His collection includes a Batmobile, 1903 Ford Model A and the 1975 Ford Escort used by Pope John Paul II.

Solove had been collecting Rolls-Royce cars since the early 1970s and bought the last car in his collection in February. Several years ago he decided to sell them and donate the money to the James center, which he helped establish in the 1980s, he said.

Solove kept his first Rolls-Royce, the 1931 Phantom II.