Rare, rustic 1954 car hauler on the block

Finding a dreamy classic car at auction is easy, but it's not often you can bid on something equally cool to haul it home.

The Donley Auctions Annual Fall Classic on Saturday, Nov. 17, has one such rig: a 1954 Chevrolet truck and trailer transporter. It's a two-for-one deal as the winning bid also gets a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air, already loaded on the back.

The combo was spotted by auction company owner Randy Donley just months ago at a restaurant in Harvard. Ironically, the vintage hauler was loaded on a modern hauler, ready for out-of-state transport.

"I was driving past and slammed on the brakes, having to get a closer look," said Randy, who went and found its owner. "I knew I couldn't pass it up. Right then and there, I made him an offer."

The seller had just come from Indiana and bought it himself earlier that day.

While the vehicles appear farm fresh, that's a somewhat recent look for them. At one point, the entire piece was restored and displayed in a collector's garage. As best as Randy can piece together, the building and everything inside was torched in a fire. The transporter truck was moved outside and stored at a different location before getting sold to the Indiana buyer and now Randy.

It'll be crossing the block on Saturday afternoon at no reserve with a starting bid of $3,500. There's a lot of work to be done to get it road-worthy again - but man, would it be worth it.

That's not the only usual ride up for sale at the auction in McHenry County. Other finds include a 1911 Hupmobile, parked in the same Michigan garage since 1934; a 1954 Flxible Company bus, one of five built to transport guests up Pikes Peak; and a 120-mile 1978 Chrysler New Yorker Brougham, stored in the back of Benoy Motor Sales in Woodstock since it was delivered new.

The auction will take place at the Donley's Wild West Town in Union. Learn more at www.donleyauctions.com.

• Share your car's story with Matt at auto@dailyherald.com.