Insane Haul: Miki Dora’s Forgotten Storage Unit

Miki Dora was an odd cat. 

Malibu vanguard. Infamous fraudster. Questionable morals. Undeniable influencer (and critic) of early California surf culture. Surfing’s original antihero doesn’t require much introduction, but the context is key. 

“Da Cat” — who died in 2002 at age 67 from pancreatic cancer — is timely again because 24 of his personal belongings (known as lots in the auction world) are now available for purchase from, of all places, a former auctioneer in New Zealand. For the history-inclined surfer or retro style enthusiast, Dora’s personal collection is a rare and fascinating find.

It’s worth acknowledging that, like many of history’s mythologized figures, Dora is deplored and admired at the same time. Whether he actually believed in the controversies he stirred up is a matter of debate, but he wasn’t shy about his prejudice. His new collection reflects those complications. It ranges from the eccentric (scrotum necklace) to the tasteful (vintage ski equipment) to the downright alarming (Big yikes on those Nazi badges). 

How did the belongings of Malibu’s OGL (original grumpy local) end up for sale in New Zealand? It’s unclear when he first arrived, but the story goes that Dora was on the North Island sometime in the late 1970s combining two of his well-known pastimes: surfing and avoiding an arrest warrant. But when he got wind that authorities were onto him, he skipped town and left behind a handful of luggage trunks at a local storage facility. He reportedly also left an outstanding debt with Diners Club International, a charge card service (think credit cards but with no preset spending limit). 

In 1983, while Dora was arrested and jailed in the United States for passport and credit card fraud, the Diners Club came to collect on the debt. They contacted Barwicks Auctions — now a used goods store in Gisborne — to determine the value of Dora’s abandoned goods and decide if they were worth selling off. They were. Some items, however, were not made available. Several trunks contained handguns, semi-automatic rifles, ammunition and grenades. Under New Zealand laws, the firearms were deemed illegal and removed by local police and Interpol agents. The weapon’s origin and purpose remain unknown. More Dora mysteries to ponder.

Barwicks sold several crates via the auction block, with Brian Eddy serving as auctioneer and buying one for himself. The assortment of postcards and clothing reflects Dora’s well-traveled life, his eye for fashion and collection. Cardigans from Austria and Scotland and Sak’s of Fifth Avenue. Jackets from London, Spain and New York. An Afghan chapan. A rug from Portugal. Maybe it’s because this stuff was made 50 years ago and taps into the nostalgia drip feed, but tell us you couldn’t see much of it on a GQ cover today. 

Despite the quality of the haul, Brian is ready to part ways with his Miki memorabilia. He hopes an avid surfer, collector, or museum will take an interest in something that once belonged to one of surfing’s most enigmatic figures. If you’re interested, the starting offer is $15,000 US for the entire collection. Click here for the full collection and here for the descriptions. For inquiries, email Brian Eddy here. 

See a few of our favorite pieces below.