Rob van Vleet has hauled heavy scrap metal around the Midwest and Rocky Mountains for his entire life. Visibility is good out there on the grasslands. Rob spotted a lot of trucks scattered over the prairie pastures, and somehow about 2000 of them followed him home over the years. Kraupie’s Auctions ran Rob’s partial dispersal sale in October 2022, when several hundred were sold. Now a year later, we’re looking at Part Two, run online only and comprising at least 800 trucks, vehicles, and parts. The auction concludes on October 26 and 27. Numskal tipped us off to this tremendous opportunity – thanks! The trucks are located in Sidney, Nebraska. Rob will give you one year’s worth of free pasture storage before you need to pick up your treasure., and he’s willing to help you pull a part if that’s all you need, too. Basically, he just wants these vehicles to find useful new homes. We’ll start with this rare 1940 Diamond T 201 featured above. Online bidding has reached $5600, a fraction of what nice versions are worth. These one-ton 201s were swanky, with their Art Deco styling and attention to driver comfort.
This forlorn 1946 Chevy COE (cab-over-engine) has drawn a bid of $610. These beasts were available on a variety of wheelbases and with GVWs up to five tons. Most of the finished post-war COEs that I’ve found are restored to the nines with modern powerplants, transmissions, brakes, and chassis – sporting prices to match. Here’s one that sold for $330k – not a misprint! – at Barrett Jackson early this year.
If you prefer prairie cars to prairie trucks – no problem. Here’s an early sixties four-door Corvair bid to $100. The engine is present, and photos reveal at least a partial interior. Aside from this example, the auction features dune buggies, early Buicks, this ’58 Thunderbird, even a late-model VW Bug. Plenty of tractors litter the grounds, too, in case you’re into antique farm power.
Here’s another of my favorites, an International KB5, made between 1947 and 1949. The bid here is $110. Another workhorse, this International was powered by the Green Diamond 233 cu. in. six-cylinder making about 90 bhp. The sheet metal is clean and mostly straight; even the bed isn’t bad, though the stake side is missing from the passenger’s side. This truck as well as most of its neighbors come by their patina honestly, alternately roasting or freezing under the Nebraska sky. Notably, most of the merchandise sells on a bill of sale only – very few titles are indicated. Take a look and let us know which is your favorite!
Well, if I DON’T respond to this, then you’d know I wasn’t hitting on all 6. I’m okay, I think, and the ER isn’t so scary now,,no wait, still scares the hell out of me,,,big tough trucker,,,anyway, fire up the grinder, lots of Toyotas here,,,yeah, maybe a bit bitter, with some exceptions, to present/future generations, that’s all this is. Plenty of neat things for us, no money, last lap, arm chair collectors to yap about, but in the end, even the Diamond T will be a resto-mod, and that’s pretty tough to say coming from a guy that had an original one. Like my health scare, I’m trying to put that past me. I know some feel the way I do, possibly in the same position as me, the mind is willing, but the body ( and wallet) are weak(er), and in this case, one mans junk is NOT another mans gold.
So many neat projects of say, 40 years ago, The 201, of course( 1st year), the IHs, the KWhopper( a mid 60s W 923?), the THUNDER V-12 motor, that might have come from the yellow cab forward. The tractors, the dozers, this was an auction you’d attend with that old mechanic guy down the road, with a truck and trailer, and load them up. It’s how this yard started, I’m sure. Just not so today. I read, scrap metal is at an all-time high, almost $200/ton, and some prices are $400-$600/ton, and again, with a few exceptions, there’s a gold mine in scrap, and that’s the way it is, Monday, Oct. 23,,,,
To be clear, the 201 was new in 1938, but had a grill update in 1940. I may be wrong on my assumption that the old car/truck hobby is kaput,,obviously younger folks want to experience hemi Cudas, Cobra Jet Mustangs,, and such, but the time has passed on this stuff, and this Rob knows it.
Yes, Howard-the younger generation is still feels the draw in the rebirth of the rebuild, watching their creation spark it’s heartbeat and shout “It’s ALIVE!” regardless whether it’s a Frankentruck or a nut and volt restoration to original.
It’ll be alive as long as we are, and longer, as long as there is even just an inkling of creativity and artistry.
What is created may not be what we would’ve done but that’s the beauty of this hobby, isn’t it? Do we all like 22”wheels on a slammed ‘65 Riviera? No, (HELL no!) but someone does and that’s how they’ll build it. We may not share THAT version of their vision, but we all will appreciate-and some will build-whatever they have the energy and time to build,
We’re older now Howard but we’re not dead yet and it’s still here to enjoy-breathing life into whatever we see as an old classic.
And folks like you have a lot of knowledge to pass on as you, Geomechs, Bob McCoskey, bobhess, all the other BF readers/contributors and especially the BF staff do.
It’s all about what you have the passion for-when that’s done so are we so kick the tires and light the fires.
Let’s keep ‘em flying down the road.
@Howard- I was at a Cars&Coffee Saturday at a high-end shop (Porsche racers) here in Rochester, NY. The “kids” outnumbered the “geezers” by a factor of 10. Lambos, Porsches, and Masers all over the place, but the car that got the most attention was a warmed-over Chevy Celebrity wagon daily-driver with 300,000 miles on it.
HoA- When it comes to gear grinding you’re the gold standard imho. I hope you’re feeling better after your tumble off the “Harley” :) I know.
It’s an unpleasant fact of life that ‘tempus fugit’ as the Romans were wont to say. A fellow down my way in SoCal restored a Diamond T , probably a 201. It was stunning. They are the most beautiful of trucks. As you say given the passage of time so much will go to scrap or go the restomod route
@Howard- As you are well aware, I enjoy the back and forth with you on many subjects. I was not aware of your ER visit. Very glad to hear you are not having your mail delivered by a groundhog.
“Fortuna Audentes Iuvat!”
Cheers!
Hi Frank, thanks for being cordial, and don’t get me wrong, it’s great to see the “kids” at a gathering, but you can’t possibly think those “kids” are going to have an interest in a 1952 Ford derrick truck or what most of these collections have, much less even restore one. These “collections” accumulate because for many of these vehicles, had it not been for this person to store them, would be long gone anyway. Something like the Lambrecht auction, now they featured plausible projects, things say a middle aged parent and kid could indeed make into a fire breathing monster. They clearly have the money. It’s all that is seen at most gatherings. While the Celebrity may have got some attention, it’s more of an oddity, than what kids want today. We all have some denial, something we held dear, like these collections, it’s tough to see it go, but like when in the ER, this is reality, like it or not. I frequent this site, mostly because the other old car sites have gone or changed venue, due to lack of older supporters. I take solace in knowing some are still is here, but in the 10 years I’ve been a member, well, even this site has changed some and while I certainly don’t want to die, I’m not very optimistic about the future, a future I and many others clearly don’t fit into, but I can die knowing we came from the best of times. Amen!
This collection is a portal to a car/truck enthusiasts Shangri La. Wow.
Well said Nevadahalfrack. I get smarter every time I get on the site and we still have younger friends who are car nuts in their own right.
Agreed Bob, but 1941 IH or cabover Chevy stake trucks? We’re drifting from my original post, as usual, interest in classic cars vs. interest in what this collection has. There will never be an interest in this TYPE of collection anymore, simply because, young people have no connection. I don’t mean to be cross, but I hear that all the time “kids love old cars”, mostly because of someone elses interaction, but if you think those “kids” are willing to grind a knuckle off or restore some old farm truck riddled with tetanus, I just don’t see it today.
The hobbys still alive if you guys dont think so then set and watch what a 400.00 truck scrap goes for at 8 to 10k.long ways from junk just alot of work where a guy has to be deducated to do.im 50 and live sleep eat and breath cars but sadly my own health comes and goes.but yes some are not worth restoring but others are.
Just pickin the nits. The 58 TB you show is a 60 according to the rear fender chevrons. LOL. What a collection. Wish I could go.
Correct on the ’60, George. It’s also a very early car, the trim at the base of the roof panel is smooth, which I understand was only on the 1st few hundred cars, then changed to a finned style. I would like to have them if anyone is going out there to pull parts…
I’d love and hate to walk those fields. So many neat things to make me sweat…
Well I signed up to bid. I’ve got my eyes on a few. Maybe I’ll get lucky and get one on the cheap, if there is any such thing.
God Bless America
GLWTA, sir!
I hate to see hoards like this broken up because it’s the only place left where Americans can go and see how it used to be. Too bad these can’t be made into some sort of automotive museum. The smell of old grease and gas is the best smell in the world.
Damn! I wanted to comment on this sooner than I did but I just spent some time in the ER. Just getting ready for work and, well… I’m home now, and tomorrow’s another day. I hate this getting old crap; the only thing that’s golden about our years is our whiz. Anyways, the 201 definitely caught my eye. Of course I always think of Howard when I see one; I envy him as he actually had one. There was one on display for the ATHS at the local swap meet a few years back and it pretty much stole the show.
I’m sure that most readers looking at the COE Chevy are imagining the cab perched on top of a Dodge Cummins or GMC Duramax chassis. They should take a moment to visualize what those trucks were all about in their heyday and think about bringing them back.
And that Binder. Imagine driving one of them with a 12,000 lb payload. Well I never drove a KB-5 but I’m familiar with the older model DS-30 with 200+ bushels of wheat in the box. Those old flathead sixes were workhorses but they still left a lot to be desired. However, Binder still set a standard for trucks that has been hard to beat. I see a near perfect grill that would bring a good price by itself but I would hope that the buyer also takes the rest of the truck and gives it a good home.
Good that you’re home again, Geomechs. You’re one of those we all count on, especially having been in the drivers seat of some of these bad boys.
And the quote about the golden years-that’s freakin’ hilarious and I hope you don’t mind that I plagiarize on occasion!
lol! Go ahead and share it with whoever you like. If we can’t laugh about our somewhat limited abilities we’d all be wearing our pants up on our chests and playing suffleboard…
‘T]he only thing that’s golden about our years is our whiz.”
Our wiz may indeed be golden, but it’s no longer free-flowin!
Yeah, stay well, Geo. Your input is quite valued.
Future rat rod patina paradise.
Me, I could use the Lot #121 Cadillac station wagon. I don’t know why, though.
https://www.bidkraupie.com/auctions/5357/lot/742-1969-cadillac-station-wagon
Because you don’t have one?
My mom and dad were gifted a “47” International KB-5 in 1948 from my dad’s mother. It had, I think, a 15′ grain bed on it. Coming from the wheat field loaded to the brim. It could not pull a very steep hill. I was shotgun, probably 7 or 8, so around 67 68 summer harvest. Soo Chuck had to give up on the hill,back down, and take another route.
Lot 189 is a NA Miata with a hardtop, with a current bid of $210. The top looks to be in rough condition (originally red painted white now) but in good condition those hardtops can go for $1500-$2k. If the car goes for under $1k the buyer will be able to more than recoup their money with that top alone.
CAN SEE why the bid is at $5600, nice truck. made well in those days just before WWII when I was 8 years old.
I just returned last Friday from there. Spent two days looking at the eye candy from all three lots. There some very complete and partially complete, projects and parts vehicles there. The company I work for purchased four vehicles last auction, and we are looking to possibly add to it this time around. The auction team is fantastic, and Mr.Van Vleet is easy to deal with. We picked ours up around Thanksgiving of last year, and there still were others waiting as I write this. I highly recommend it just for the access, ease, and unique makes and models alone.
I had sweaty palms and a dry mouth looking at all those 55-57 TRI 5 trucks, even though most of them were 6400’s, there was a 5400 cab over and a 56 GMC 100 I really would have grabbed… It was the largest group I ever saw with cab corners, steps and floors. I don’t see what they went for, which is probably good. So many neat trucks can be made plus there were newer ones with frames for them…
Then the Diamond T’s and a few Autocars, any of which could cause alimony payments
Sadly , many followed the safe and effective and are now punched out or soon to be ! , it is a sad time for all of us , check out steve kirsch , he has numbers
Wow, what a collection. Drooling over this 1940 Diamond T 201. Just an honest, workhorse truck. I enjoy reading about that company’s history. And yes it sux getting older and not being able to do what you used to do. I’m paying some younger guys to help me spread some gravel for my carports. I did a ton of gravel last year myself and my back and leg still hurt thinking about it.
If I am reading it right, you even get a year to store your purchases after the auction. That makes this even more lucrative.
I could walk that field for days…
I am signing up also, given the generous removal time frame. Most people could work something out in a year or less.
Started looking through the listings, saw quite a few vehicles of interest. Each one simply said Title on hand. Without seeing the title of a vehicle, I’d have to pass. Living in Illinois, couldn’t take a chance a title would be a salvage title, a rebuilt title, or simply dated back awhile. The DMV won’t transfer a lot of what you get in these auctions and sales. So sad, too, as I’d love to get a “new” project.