Turnkey Pre-War Collection: Iowa Museum Hoard
A hoard of mostly pre-war American cars and trucks was recently unearthed in Villisca, Iowa by Heath Rodney and Dereck Freshour, part of a defunct museum collection that has stood idle for years. The stash features many marques that haven’t been widely seen in eons, and may even be completely unknown to collectors below a certain age. Ironically, this is the same town Heath and Dereck found the incredible BMW 328 lightweight racer in and that they are currently restoring. Check out the pictures below and contact [email protected] if interested in purchasing any of these vehicles.
The collection of cars was assembled by one local individual, who may have used the term “museum” loosely given the overall presentation of the vehicles wasn’t something you’d necessarily spend days traveling to see. The museum itself fell on hard times when its founder passed away, and both disrepair and financial issues forced the exhibit cars into hiding and to where they were discovered in the present day. Fortunately, the vehicles were prepared for long-term storage, with the fuel tanks drained, radiators emptied, and carburetor lines disconnected.
The collection includes: a 1924 Maxwell two-door, hardtop; a 1917 Cole V8 two-door Cloverleaf roadster; a 1930 Hupmobile Straight 6 coupe; a 1910 Maxwell two-cylinder; a 1923 Dodge Brothers two-door roadster; a 1915 Allen four-door roadster touring; a 1926 Buick four-door; a 1920 REO Speedwagon truck; a 1926 Ford Touring four-door convertible; a 1914 Ford Touring; a 1917 Ford Touring two-door; a 1926 Ford Model T coupe; a 1929 Ford five-window; and a 1948 Pontiac Streamliner coupe. Two 1917 Allen parts cars are included, along with the remains of a 1920s Buick.
The discovery confirmed that despite being off the road anywhere from 30 to 50 years that the cars remained in good condition. The museum’s founder clearly had an eye for the unusual, along with a desire to preserve vehicles that he felt were important to the overall history of the American automobile. Today, the new owners of the collection feel it could represent a good opportunity for a new caretaker to start a museum of their own, as the collection is essentially turnkey for anyone seeking an incredible stash of pre-war vehicles.
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Comments
To bad there was not a Bullitt Mustang in there. Just watched one sell at Mecum for $3,400,000. Pretty cool, the owner said it was only sold twice. Both times at $3,500, thats where the bidding started. Next bid was for 1,000,000. LOL!
Too bad the owners didn’t have a raffle for that Stang. You know, ten bucks a ticket. That way us regular fellows could have had a shot at it, not some over privileged type who will probably just use it for bragging rights, not use it like most of us would have. That is what McQueen would have wanted, thats for sure.
Yep, just what I was thinking. After all, nobody that has ever worked hard and accumulated wealth has a true appreciation of cars.
Steve R
So you win the raffle. What is the insurance cost going to be? How quick are you going to throw it on the market when it’s worth 3 mill?
Steve, “working hard”, never gave anyone that kind of money. That kind of money almost always comes from something else. Could someone who can cough up 3.4 million on a whim and not flinch be a car lover? Maybe, but do you really think they would drive it McQueen would have if he had been allowed to buy it back? Like most of us would drive it? And Mike, if I had won that imaginary raffle, I would hope I would never be tempted to not drive it. I would want to forget about the value and appreciate it for what it is. A cool car with an awesome history. Shouldn’t someone who understands the true essence of the car own and appreciate it? Of course, I would have to sell it. A windfall for me because I am not someone who 3.4 mill means nothing to. Then I would no longer have the car and the magic would be gone. 3.4 million could do so much good in the world, yet it gets squandered on a car, a cool car for sure, but in the end just a car. Someday when I meet my maker I do not want to ever have been in a position to pay 3.4 million on an old car when the money should have been spent elsewhere. But, the whole equation here is rotten. What are these insane values all about? How have we gotten here? I will not bring up income inequality and all that, not the place, but I will try to remind all here that the love of old cars should be a universally attainable thing. The crazy unreal leap in values for the few who can now afford it is hurting this hobby, and turning off the young people, soon there will be no hobby at all. And that should make us all sad.
Geiger, or whatever name you are using this month. You are funny.
Steve R
@SteveR, Not sure what you mean, but I was reading this site a long time before I decided to post. My big question to you is, when you get to prison, will you still be able to post your awesome ideas? It would be a loss for all here if not.
Hey SteveR, what is that mean comment from the radioactive troll about? Is everything okay? Gee whiz, and I thought being locked up with old people (like me) was tough. I like your comments (mostly), hope things turn out okay.
These small private museums were a thing 40+ years ago. I recall a real nice one in the countryside near Rochester, Minnesota run by an old farmer. Well kept, had mostly prewar cars like these, plus some old airplane stuff. Lots of parts hanging on the walls, and various other things from the era of his youth. It was a little out of my time period, but I got quite a kick watching my Dad enjoy it. As I now live in the probable last quarter of my life, I remember so many good things from the days of old. Wish I could go back and visit some of what once was.
Some museums quality stuff in this garage!! This collection should be kept together!! These cars look mostly original in there build quality!! Paint looks to have done over but it seems to be period correct as well!!!
Agreed, the collection should be kept together, and by all means on public display. Not sure if that will happen, but who knows, stranger things have happened in this world. Unfortunately the generation who appreciates these is pretty much dead, and younger people only care about them if they have a Chevy V8 and a Jaguar rear end in them. Again, if the prices for these were reasonable, younger people could own and love them (for what they are) , and in turn, show them off to even younger generations for years to come. Our heritage is at stake and economics is not our friend here.
@Geiger Counter says ” Our heritage is at stake and economics is not our friend here”
you are right…well not Right, just correct. Our Heritage is being trampled and ERASED, all over the Country … so sad
That’s a very diverse collection of wonderful vehicles. I hope they go to people that will return them to roadworthy condition in due course. As for the Veritas BMW Lightweight 328 story, what’s the latest news Jeff, if any?
Hi fellas! Just putt-puttin’ around my workshop when I saw this collection.
And all I can say is wow, just wow!
The auction site is about an hour from me
in Kissemee. I’ve been watching the proceedings on YouTube for a little over
a week now and there’s some really nice
stuff crossing the block. But that Bullitt
Mustang, that was some sale price for a
common everyday car before Warner
Brothers and Steve McQueen made it the
most well-known car of all time. Gotta
say that most every time a ’68 fastback
basket case gets posted up here, I always long for money and time to turn
that poor unloved basket case into a
really sharp Bullitt clone like they did on
Wheeler Dealers a few years back. Time
to get back to the ’67 Impala wagon portrait I’m making for Marion. I just
stuffed a 385 HP 427 into the engine bay
and after I’ve spent a week sketching and
plumbing that beast, it’s time to shade it
all in. All I need to know is how to post it
here for all of you to see. Thought I’d stop by and add my 2 cents. Night all!
Hi Ken. You have to be a member to post photos. Send me an email, I would like to see it. Take care bud, Mike.
I see the members are real crazy about posting pictures. I bet if everyone could post a picture, then we would have some great stuff here. Forgive me for a grumpy post, this little old lady just broke a hip and after a few complications, ended up in old people rehab where there is pretty bad wifi. Finally got it to work last night, but has been sporadic since. Talk about being in Purgatory!
Hang in there Susan. I am sure the wifi will help, then you have the world at your fingertips! Take care, Mike.
If I had that 48 Pontiac and he had a feather in his butt, we’d both be tickled……..
Interesting collection. The dirt floor scares me. It does horrible things to the bottoms of cars over time. Sorry there are no prices listed. There are going to be a lot of happy people..
Love the 48 Pontiac.
God bless America
My $.02 worth. I visited a collection in Seattle a few years ago. Neither my friend nor myself had ever met the owner before. he welcomed us at the door, and gave us a tour and the story of each car, and said the fun of owning this collection is having folks come around and look at it. He had everything there including a back to the future DeLorean clone with working Flux capacitor, to a separate room for the Ferraris. He then invited us to have refreshments with him in the lounge where the coffee table was made out of a 16 cyl radial aircraft engine. A very warm and memorable experience with a true gentleman, I guess the point I’m making is, one can only hope that the Bullitt car goes into a collection that can be viewed by many. I’d hate to see it disappear and not be able to be viewed. Sorry if this is off topic.
Cheers
GPC
Thank you GPC. You’re very much on topic. People like the gentleman you met help keep the younger people interested in the hobby.
God bless America
A Museum Starter Kit (everything below)
$140k for Everything! 13 early American cars (all with titles) + three parts cars
Not interested in separating the collection at this time this is a all or none sale
Call/Text Heath 605-201-9563
1924 Maxwell 2dr HDT Blue/Black
1917 Cole V8 2dr Cloverleaf Roadster Green/Blk
1930 Hupmobile straight 6 Coupe Blur/Blk
1910 Maxwell 2cyl Brass
1923 Dodge Brothers 2dr Roadster Blue/Blk
1915 Allen 4dr Roadster Touring Blk/blk/Blk
1926 Buick 4dr Grn/Blk
1920 REO Speedwagon truck Green
1926 Ford Touring 4dr Conv Triple black
1914 Ford Touring Brass BLKi
1917 Ford Touring 2dr
1926 Ford Model T Coupe Blk/Blk
1929 Ford 5-window Coupe Green black top
Parts Cars: No Titles
1920’s Buick 4dr Touring Conv (project)
2 1917 Allen’s… 2 frames 2 engines driveline
lots of misc parts
Misc Parts;
Loads of early wood wheels headlights and misc parts
Heath Rodney
605-201-9563
Quite a list of early Classics!! Impressive!!!