Classic cars damaged in storage fire

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Austin firefighters discovered a cache of classic cars after they put out a large fire at a storage building at 2056 W. Stassney Lane Monday.

They responded minutes after the call came in at 2:42 p.m.

The building was used to store classic cars and motorcycles, including an antique Rolls Royce. There were 22 cars and eight motorcycles inside, all collectible models with movie and celebrity ties -- including the Captain America motorcycle used in the 1969 movie " Easy Rider ." It was not destroyed but is covered with soot.

"It is a very, very significant motorcycle and perhaps the most well-known motorcycle in the world," said the owner of the collection, Gordon Granger.

The first vehicle that singer Selena Quintanilla-Perez owned was also housed there, as was a 1920s Rolls Royce built for actress Tullulah Bankhead.

It took firefighters about 20 minutes to put out the flames, and the vehicles suffered some smoke and heat damage from the fire.

People living nearby said they never knew the building marked A-1 Hardware and A-1 Glass held such a treasure trove of antiques inside. It was being used as storage but appeared to be just an abandoned building because the windows were covered up from the inside.

Firefighters said the flames caused an estimated $100,000 in damage to the structure and an another $1 million in damage to the contents inside.

Granger has collected the Hollywood relics and antique vehicles for the last 15 years.

"Very, very unhappy that this occured, and some of the cars that I have are very significant and unique cars."

Crews put plywood on the windows of the building to prevent further damage to the contents. 

Investigators did not say whether they had any suspects, but no arrests had been made.