The Crittenden Automotive Library

Collecting Classic Cars

Collecting Classic Cars

Harold Raymond
Car Buff Magazine: February/March 1971

When a very young man, Harold Raymond exhibited his high-wheel International truck at fairs and horse shows for International dealers. Here we see the old bus parked by a then-new truck at one of these events. Photo taken around 1931.

Raymond proudly exhibits the "President's Trophy," awarded annually by the president of the Mississippi Valley Historic Automobile Club to his choice of the person who has made the greatest contribution to the club. Chrome plated T crankshaft, mounted on walnut base, was awarded Raymond at club's annual banquet in January. Recipient has donated 1928 Packard which is being given away in fund raising effort of the group.

Magnificent 1931 Cadillac leads off the parade of antique cars on summer tour, Harold Raymond at the wheel of the tan and turquoise V-12.

Long hood and graceful swoop of the fenders identify 1931 Cadillac as top of the line luxury car, obviously created for the wealthy sportsman of the early 1930's.

Modern "special interest" Kaiser-Darrin owned by Raymond is exhibited at recent historical meet. Ken Barker, feature editor, is at left.

1932 Chrysler convertible is shared with the public at shopping center old car exhibit, where it drew many admiring glances, and looks of envy from other collectors.

Raymond's 1932 Chrysler Imperial LeBaron.

Raymond's 1937 Rolls Royce Phantom II.

Above is 1928 Packard donated by Raymond in fund-raising effort of Mississippi Historic Auto Club. At left is 1937 Rolls Royce Phantom, one of Raymond's many cars at Quinsippi Car Museum, Quincy, Ill.

I became an old car buff at the age of six. The match that lit the fuse for my enthusiasm was struck one sunny afternoon when I was walking the three miles from school to my farm home. (This was long before the birth of the yellow school bus.)

A Stutz Bear Cat came chugging down the road and much to my surprise stopped and the driver yelled, "Hey, kid! Hop in and I'll give you a ride in my Stutz." I quickly seated myself beside the driver, and with a flick of the throttle we were off. I hung on as I watched the dust follow us as the car created the hills. This was an eye-popping adventure to a six year old!

My delight was short-lived as Dad was waiting for me at the farm gate. He was very angry and almost took me to the woodshed for riding in the automobile.

He growled, "Don't you know those blasted devils will kill you?"

However, my father's distrust of cars failed to dampen my young ardor. I constantly urged him to get a car, but he insisted that his horse and buggy were fine for him. A few months later, much to my surprise and delight, he purchased a shiny, black T Ford touring car. I never did know what changed his attitude toward cars.

My reverence for the art of antique car driving began when my Dad consented to let me drive the Model T. I was ten years old, and could barely reach the pedals. Driver licenses were not required in those days.

An old gentleman, who was an International farm equipment dealer, became interested in my youthful fascination for cars. He owned a Model T touring car, Model T truck, and a high wheel International truck. For some reason the international truck had never been taken out of the garage. My elderly friend was unable to drive any of his gas buggies. I became his chauffeur and drove his Model T's all over the country. He loved to speed, and would urge me to go faster. Speeding tickets were unheard of, but country roads in those days, a driver going thirty miles an hour was a candidate for St. Pete!

The International truck, with its high wheels and hard rubber tires, held a fascination for me, but I never could prevail upon the old gentleman to let me take it out of the garage. Shortly before his death he sent for me and said, "Harold, you've always been interested in my International truck. You can have it for five dollars."

The acquisition of this truck was the great thrill of my life. In great excitement, a friend and I went to the garage where the truck had been stored. I poured gasoline in the tank, cranked it, and it started with a reassuring rumble after setting nineteen years. This may be hard to believe, but it had a magneto, which points were made of tungsten. Tungsten doesn't pit as our modern car points do. During the early thirties, I exhibited this truck at county fairs, and was paid by International Harvester dealers to do so. It drew crowds of enthusiastic admirers as our antique cars do today. During the following years, I owned an Indianapolis racer, old Studebaker, Marmon and several Model T's.

I became seriously interested in Classic cars in 1953. A 1935 Auburn convertible held a high voltage charm for me. Although classics weren't expensive in those days in comparison to today's prices, this car was too costly for me. I must confess to having a few anxious moments as I watched the arched eyebrows of my conservative banker as he reacted to my unorthodox request with a reluctant yes.

As the years passed I acquired other classics. My pride and joy is a 1935 Auburn boat tail speedster. This car was sold new in the United States to a German medical student. He shipped the car to Germany. Unfortunately, he was killed during World War II. A Colonel purchased the car from his widow and had it flown back to the United States. He had plans for restoring the car and had it completely torn down. His plans failed to materialize, and the car was stored in baskets in a garage at Alton, Illinois, several years before I purchased it. When I trucked the baskets home the neighbors and my family hooted "do you think that will ever run?" Five years later I drove it out of my garage shining in its glory of previous years, a genuine triumph of car designing artistry!

Another favorite is a 1931 Cadillac V-12 roadster. This is a rare car. It is very dependable and a joy to drive in a parade. "It is truly King of the Road."

My latest restoration is a 1932 Chrysler Imperial LeBaron rumble seat convertible. This car was stripped down and stored for fifteen years in Muscatine, Iowa. Fortunately, it was all there. After several years work, the restoration was completed this summer. Sometimes, amidst all the myriad details and countless hours of hard work an authentic restoration requires, I wondered if this magnificent old classic would ever breathe gasoline again. Breathe she did, and now her queenly body once again lives in all her handsome original grandeur.

These other classic, antique, and special interest cars are exhibited in the Quinsippi Island Car Museum, Quincy, Illinois.