As a youngster, Isaac (Ike) Clarkson was in awe of a 1909 Hupmobile Roadster car owned by Matthew Black of Two Creeks, MB.
Black had purchased it second hand in 1918 or 1919 for $15!
Years later, Ike was able to purchase the remains of that very same Hupmobile.
Ike's first task was to start clearing the location where the metal shell of the car sat. It was in very sad condition. The parts were very carefully moved to Ike's garage, then the area was combed for any small bits that still remained. Ancient spare parts had to be located.
The parts needed to be doused in penetrating oil to get them loosened up. The metal body work was all separated into piles of battered, rusted plates. The engine was soaked loose and very carefully stripped down to the last nut and bolt.
Now restoration could begin.
Tons of patience
Every piece of sheet metal had to be hammered back into its original shape. But some parts were impossible to obtain. In those cases, Ike made parts from scratch using very simple hand tools, bits of metal and tons of patience.
Every piece of wood was handmade by cutting the pieces and steaming them into the correct shape. Gradually, the Hupmobile Roadster took shape as Ike pieced it together, one bit at a time.
Finally, the day came when the little Hupmobile was rolled out from the garage. A quick snap of the crank and it was running like the day it was first made.
The Hupp Motorcar Company was organized in 1908 and began production of its first automobile shortly thereafter. The company was able to last through the turbulent years following the War and the Great Depression. It produced its last automobile in 1940.
Each early Hupmobile had “Guaranteed for Life” stamped right on the car's nameplate. In 1909, the year this lovely two-passenger Hupp Roadster was produced, the company's advertising slogan was:
“The smartest and best little car ever marketed in America at anything like money.”
Twenty horsepower
This snappy little car offered good road performance from its four cylinder, 20-horsepower engine, folding windshield, elliptical spring suspension, Pres-To-Lite head lamps, kerosene side and tail lamps, artillery-type wheels, repair kit and tire pump, all for $750. It is very obvious their slogan meant what it said.
Ike was in his glory. And thus was the start of his own personal museum of restored cars on the farm. Soon word got out about this farmer east of town who had all these antique cars, and people travelled for miles to see his collection. Many enjoyed riding down the country roads in his cars.
Too many cars
Ike's collection of 60 cars outgrew his sheds, so Ike offered his collection to the Village of Elkhorn in 1961. A corporation was formed and a structure 60’ x 300’ was built for them.
In 1967 the Manitoba Antique Automobile Museum officially opened with Ike as its curator. Unfortunately, Ike passed away just four years later at the age of 58.
Thus a young man's dreams are still enjoyed by people from all over the world.
Submitted by Lillian Jackson, secretary-treasurer of the Elkhorn Museum Restoration Club. The Manitoba Antique Auto Museum in Elkhorn is now open to the public seven days a week until the end of September.
