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Hardwick kicked off its annual summer celebration last weekend with softball games, a community meal and its annual parade.
This year’s parade, however, was missing one of its usual parade entrants.
On Saturday, June 27, instead of being washed and polished for a drive down Hardwick’s Main Street, the 1938 Buick owned by the Arthur Moeller American Legion Post #478 was being sold at a Brandon, South Dakota, car auction.
“The Old Limo” had been a traditional parade entrant since 1960, recalled Legion member Paul Aukes.
“We had no interest in keeping it,” he said.
For years the former hearse was housed and cared for by fellow Legion member and Hardwick native Don Hansen. Since his death last year, finding a place to house and someone to maintain the large vehicle has been difficult.
Equally as difficult was affording the insurance and repairs for the 77-year-old vehicle.
“You had to be a mathematician to run it,” said Wes Pierson, who is also a Legion member.
Various switches operated the starter and fuel pump, with multiple batteries providing power throughout the vehicle.
When the Legion received the car 55 years ago, it was remodeled, repainted and benches added to the former casket area in the rear of the vehicle, seating up to eight people.
“If you would go to another town, it would overheat,” Pierson added.
However, recent repairs had it starting and running more smoothly. Legion members thought it was a to good time to sell the car while it was still in good running condition.
“It’s pretty rare,” said auctioneer Yvette Vander Brink.
The Buick was one of 110 cars she sold at the sale.
Vander Brink said it was common back in the 1930s to take a passenger car and send it to a coach manufacturer for conversion into a hearse. The converted cars, however, were normally Cadillac models, not Buicks.
The car’s uniqueness wasn’t lost on its new owner. Toby Shine with Okoboji Classic Cars of West Okoboji, Iowa, purchased the Buick.
“I have no idea what I am going to do with it,” he said when contacted Monday.
When he learned the proceeds from its sale would benefit the Hardwick American Legion, Shine began bidding.
He purchased the vehicle for $4,000.
“I like the colors,” the military veteran said. “I thought it was a unique vehicle.”