Historical Society seeks aid to restore car

Historical Society information

The Van Wert County Historical Society is in the process of restoring a 1917 Overland Opera Coupe. The Wassenberg family originally owned the car and Van Wert’s own Gaylord Leslie learned to drive in this car.  Bill Jones purchased the car from the Wassenberg estate and then his father Paul bought it and it went to his son, Dick. After his death, the Jones family expressed an interest in returning the car from Orlando, Fla., to Van Wert.

On the car’s return here, the Historical Society purchased the car with financial support from The Van Wert County Foundation, First Bank of Berne, Van Wert Federal Savings Bank, Citizens National Bank, Rick Sealscott CPA and Randy Myers of Leland Smith Insurance Inc.

Spearheading the restoration is Dave Kirchenbauer and Dave Agler, ably assisted by Mike Spray, Larry Oechsle, Jim Schneider, Stan Schumm, Fred Hartwig and Bob Stanley. Siefker Lumber is donating the wood and NAPA Auto Parts is donating paint materials. The restorers are donating their time and expertise to the project.

The Overland Opera Coupe is a rare find and there is no known opera coupe by that company operational. As a result of its rarity, and even though all of the labor and some of the materials are being donated, the cost of acquiring needed parts has proven costly.

The Van Wert Historical Society is putting out a call to all history and automobile buffs. Anyone wanting to make a donation can contact a trustee or one of the restorers or can mail in a donation to the Van Wert County Historical Society, P.O. Box 621, Van Wert, OH 45891. Donations are tax deductible.