Man Donates $10 Million Classic Car Collection To California State University Fullerton

Colleges and universities often receive donations, but they usually come in the form of cash. That’s not the case with California State University Fullerton which will be receiving a car collection worth approximately $10 (£7.7 / €9.1) million.

The collection of 15 sports cars was bequest to the university by longtime supporters Nicholas and Lee Begovich.

Mr Begovich was the vice president of the ground systems group for Hughes Aircraft and began collecting sports cars in the early 1950s. He’s amassed quite a collection over the years and many of them were purchased directly from the factory.

Of the 15 cars being given to the university are a rare Pegaso Z-102 coupe and cabriolet. Only 84 vehicles were built during the entire production run and Wikipedia says 1953 models were equipped with a 2.8-liter V8 engine that produced at least 168 hp (125 kW / 170 PS) and 159 lb-ft (216 Nm) of torque. The engine was connected to a five-speed manual transmission which reportedly enabled the car to accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 8.5 seconds.

Besides the 1953 and 1954 Z-102s, the university will receive a 1952 Talbot Lago Grand Sport, a 1952 Jaguar XK120 and a 1956 Porsche Speedster 1600 Super. Other models include a 1956 Mercedes 300SL Gullwing, a 1964 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Speciale and a rare 1964 Porsche 904 GTS.

The couple is also donating a 1966 ATS, a 1969 Lamborghini Miura and a 1973 De Tomaso Pantera. There’s also a 1974 Maserati Bora and 1975 Ferrari Dino 208 GT4.

While the collection is largely European, it includes two Chevrolets. The first is a 1962 Chevrolet Corvair Monza Spyder, while the second is a 1970 Camaro SS.

Following the passing of the Begovichs, the collection will be given to the university and then sold by the Cal State Fullerton Philanthropic Foundation. The collection will be sold with the assistance of a third party and Nicholas Begovich hopes there will be a buyer that can “keep large parts of the collection together.”

Following the sale, $7 (£5.5 / €6.3) million will be used to support faculty and student gravitational-wave research. The funds will also be used to build a state-of-the-art laboratory and “upgrade computational resources to allow students and faculty to continue playing a key role in future discoveries of gravitational waves.” In honor of one of the largest gifts ever given to the university, the Center for Gravitational-Wave Physics and Astronomy will be renamed the Nicholas and Lee Begovich Center for Gravitational-Wave Physics and Astronomy.

According to physics professor and director of the Center for Gravitational-Wave Physics and Astronomy, Joshua Smith, “We are incredibly honored that Nick and Lee have chosen to invest in the future of gravitational-wave science at Cal State Fullerton. Their gift will have a transformative impact on students through research, teaching and outreach.”

The remaining $3 (£2.3 / €2.7) million will be used to “support interdisciplinary research, new courses and electives, student projects, early-career faculty members, and research in such areas as sustainable energy and power, in the College of Engineering and Computer Science.”