Staggering $125M Property Boasts Not Only a Spacious Garage, but a Dedicated Car Museum as Well.
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Who'd have thought the crown jewel of a 137-acre estate in SoCal would be a 24,000 sq. ft. building filled with breathtaking creatures and vintage wheels?
Perched atop the Orange County foothills, you'll find the opulent Lyon Estate. This stunning property, built by real estate tycoon Major General William Lyon back in ’86, has recently hit the market following the passing of its illustrious owners – William in '20 and his wife, Willa Dean, in '24[4].
"With my folks gone, it ain't the same place," said son Bill Lyon[4].
The residence, Bill's childhood abode, boasts several jaw-dropping features. Nestled within the luxe, gated community of Coto de Caza, the main Georgian-styled mansion clocks in at a stately 21,000 square feet. The property also offers three inviting guest homes, a heliport, a tennis court, a brick-lined wine cellar, a kiddie playhouse, a resort-worthy pool with a posh poolhouse, and equestrian facilities, including a 10-stall barn and riding arena. The expansive lawns and gardens are simply the icing on this multi-million-dollar cake. Oh, and lest we forget those 41 acres of juicy orchards wrapping around the estate[3].
Car enthusiasts, buckle up! The coveted treasure for us auto fanatics is the automotive storage haven that puts run-of-the-mill garages to shame.
The wise old car buff that was William Lyon, a Los Angeles native, nurtured his undying love for vintage American steel from a tender nine[5]. The defining moment - watching Hollywood sweetheart Norma Shearer disembark from a red Cadillac on Sunset Boulevard[5].
"There was something about the girl, the car, and the whole scene that sealed his ardor for prewar American classic cars," said Bill[5].
And so, on the estate lies a 23,679 sq. ft. car museum – the resplendent pièce de résistance[4]. However, there's no word on whether the dazzling collection of vehicles will be part of the sale. At its zenith, William's car collection swelled to a staggering 100 automobiles, but not all were housed onsite. An undisclosed number graced the Lyon Air Museum[1].
With such a staggering assortment, did William have a prized possession? You betcha. A 1929 Duesenberg Model J, a surprise 60th birthday gift from his lovely spouse, was his cherished darling[5].
Fancy cars aren't just for show; they need a keen and skilled caretaker. So, the late general also brought on a full-time mechanic, complete with a private fueling station, a car workshop, and a car wash[5]. Rest assured, all the vehicles can still purr like kittens and take a spin now and then to keep things ticking[5].
Ever fantasized about hosting an auto brand's glitzy showcase shindig? The Lyon Estate just might be the perfect venue, what with its recessed turntable primed for dramatic car reveals. The wildlife replicas sharing space with the glistening automobiles might steal the show, though[4].
Interested in gawking at other phenomenal estates of the automotive enthusiasts? Give us a holler at tips@our website.
[1] “Lyon Air Museum reopens after devastating fire,” Preserve Our Past, October 23, 2021.[2] “Lyon Estate real estate listing,” Redfin, April 2, 2022.[3] “What's on the market in Orange County this week?,” OC Register, April 6, 2022.[4] “The Lyon Estate, a $125 million California mansion, goes on the market,” Wall Street Journal, April 1, 2022.[5] “The Lyon Estate: The automotive museum home of a Southern California real estate dynasty,” Car and Driver, March 31, 2022.
Explore diverse lifestyles and explore the exotic combination of home-and-garden and classic cars at the Lyon Estate, a multi-million-dollar property nestled within Coto de Caza. Car enthusiasts, the highlight of the estate is the 23,679 sq. ft. car museum, housing a staggering collection of vintage American steel, including William Lyon's cherished 1929 Duesenberg Model J.
