When we received an email with a link to YouTube video of an upcoming Ohio auction, we knew that we needed to investigate further. We headed over to Penny Worley Auctions’ website, where everything is set to be auctioned off on June, 30th. After looking at the collection, which includes 12 complete cars and 52 project and parts cars, we started hunting around for the history behind it. We quickly discovered that this is Ron Hilen’s Antique Classic Car sales and restoration business in Dayton, Ohio. He is closing his business after 37 years and is selling off all his cars, parts, and memorabilia. Thanks goes to Jasper for the tip.
Before Ron bought this building in 1976, it was a Rambler dealership, complete with showroom, parts counter, body shop, and machine shop. The showroom currently houses 10 running vehicles, with one being a vintage fire engine and the other an old Ford tractor. The auction house has provided videos of each vehicle running and they all sound good.
The majority of the other cars are housed in the body and machine shops. Some of the cars in the machine shop have been torn apart, while others look to be complete. All of these cars are covered in a thick layer of dust and mountains of parts. We aren’t sure if the parts piled on each belongs to that car or one of their neighbors, but figuring out what goes where should prove interesting.
Given how buried some of these cars are, just exploring and trying to figure out what some of them are would be a fun way to spend an afternoon. Sadly, what makes for a fun exploration trip doesn’t necessarily make for a fun buying experience, as it could be a challenge to determine their condition and what’s still there.
Most of the cars in the body shop appear to be more complete than the ones in the machine shop, but are still in rough shape. It appears that most were prepared for paint years ago, but never made it to the paint booth and will likely need the body work redone before being sprayed.
Whether you’re looking for a project, a parts car, or even a fire engine, this auction just about has something for everyone. We know this one is coming up quick, but if you are in the Dayton area, be sure to stop by tomorrow for the auction preview and take a look. Even if you aren’t in the area, you can still view everything online and even place a bid. So what cars, parts, or memorabilia would you like to have from this collection?
Looks like great fun. As I near retirement (hopefully), would love to own that fire truck and drive it in small town parades every year.
i would love to own that red and white ford crown vic
i’ll take the ford 8n, 65 chevy, ford falcon fender skirts in the box, current high bids on some items look good. what an interesting auction,looks like something for everyone. great find
I Too would love the Crown Vic, but I think the Skyliner is really my thing!
keeping in mind there is a buyers premium charged.
~ good catch, Jasper!
Great, that he makes it such a public sale.
BUT, please, next time, could you take all the crap off the Skyliner trunk lid,
before you take the picture ??
I have been in rons place in the basement, i was so amazed at everything I saw, there are so meany parts and cars that its not funny,
OMG!! It’s like History is going to die! Is he just Done with it all?? Losing Money at it??
Wish I could move it all to the Twin Cities…….With a Huge clean up on it.
Lets hope they all go to a good home!
I am a third-party buyer. Stopped in at Ron Hilen open house 29 JUN. Everything on the lot looked like junk. When I went inside to observe, I was asked to allow a scan of my ID. ??? Kindly, I told your people to shove it. Not a “hoodlum”, and I’m not registering as a bidder. I advised my associate to avoid this sale.
I would love to have everything from this collection including the dealership but i’ll just list my top five things from each category:
Auto Parts:
59Ab 24 Bolt Flathead v8 Engine. ’46 to ’48 MERCURY. NOTE: BORED 30 Over, 3/4 RACE CAM,
1966 PONTIAC GTO Front Headlight Assembly,
Set of Five 16″ Cadillac Rims,
1930’s Cadillac Emblem,
V8 Manifold with Double Barrel Carburetor.
Collectibles:
Antique Coca-Cola Reach-In Cooler,
1937 Coca-Cola Refrigerator with trailer,
Antique Electric Coca-Cola Bottle Machine,
Antique Electric Pepsi Bottle Machine,
Antique Electric Pepsi Can Machine.
Classic Cars:
1937 Chevrolet Master 2 Door Coupe,
1965 Chevrolet Impala 2 Door Supersport with the 283 Motor,
1954 Oldsmobile ’88 2 Door Holiday Coupe,
1941 Cadillac 4 Door Sedan Convertible. Flathead V8,
1947 Ford Superdeluxe 2 Door Sedan. V8.
Vehicles:
1991 Chevrolet Z28 Camaro. V8 Motor,
1979 CHEV CC1 SW. 4D with Two Tone Wood Grain Exterior and VERY CLEAN Camel Interior and Folding Center Seat. 7.4L 454 CID 4 BBL V8 Engine. Auto Trans. 31 Gal Fuel Tank. Electric Tailgate Window. A/C. Radio. LOW MILEAGE- RUNS GREAT.
Project Cars:
1982 Mercedes-Benz Stretch Limo,
1963 Ford Galaxie 500,
1986 SILVERADO 30 Car Hauler,
1986 Pontiac 4 Door Sedan,
1994 Ford XLT Splash.
Shop Tools:
Automotive Frame Adjuster,
2-Ton Engine Hoist,
Barrel Dolly,
Automotive Body Roller,
Metal Platform Cart.
~ that’s a high potential selection, Connor, but big money if the deep-pocket bidders show up. even your limited choices could go a long way to extending what Ron Hillen has done over the last 37+/- years.
@Horse Radish, yes! and, please god of restoration, teach your earthly minions to NOT use projects as storage shelves, we pray.
had a convertible come home with can rings on the top years ago. i’ll never forgive!
Like I said I would love to have it all but since I live in the uk I’m not likely to get them
Still it’s good to dream
Used to go there as a kid and look at the offerings. That and Dayton Band up the street. Before the Internet. The band The Cars stopped in one afternoon. We were driving to get gas before the concert at Hara Arena and there was a stretch limo in the parking lot. We pulled in and you can take a guess at what happened next!