Here you can see some of the trucks stored in Building No. 24. The row includes a couple of early postwar Fords, a Bronco Murdo Has A and an International. TRUCKLOAD of Trucks Story and photos by John Gunnell f you think that old-truck collec- others fi lled only with Ford and Chevy Early postwar models kick off with attractions fresh for tourists. tors are going to run out of vehicles vehicles of all types, including trucks. a ’46 Ford pickup, ’46 International fi re As Geisler pointed out — and several someday, one trip to the Pioneer More trucks can be found decorating a truck and ’47 Reo Speedwagon. Rarities visitors verifi ed — there are serious car I Auto Show in Murdo, S.D., should 1906 Murdo Fire Department building. include a one-to-a-dealer ’48 Nash wreck- enthusiasts who come to the museum clear up the misconception. It’s not fair One of several long, open-front build- er with a rather loud paint scheme and a again and again. Although most of the to describe this attraction as a “museum” ings towards the back of the complex gorgeous 1949 Diamond T pickup. There’s trucks have the “older restoration” or “un- when it’s really a community built around (building No. 24) is crammed with about also a ’48 I-H “corn binder” pickup and a restored original” look, the sheer number collecting stuff. The complex consists 10 pickup trucks, plus covered wagons, Willys Jeep of the same vintage. of different makes and models, as well as of 38 buildings erected a few at a time buckboards and, for some reason, an The 1950s are well covered with Ford, the chance to see some untouched facto- around a motel, gas station and the GTO Amphicar. There is a matching building Chevy, Studebaker, Crosley, Jeep and ry features, makes Pioneer Auto Show a Diner. Many of those buildings are fi lled labeled for cars that actually includes Dodge pickups, including a 1951 Ford unique place to stop. In addition, over the with vehicles, including more than 50 old a number of very interesting imported with a Marmon-Herrington four-wheel- 52 years of the collection’s existence, the trucks. trucks, such as a German-built 1960 drive conversion. A ’51 Jeep wagon and Giesler family has had the opportunity to The beginning of Pioneer Auto Show Lloyd van, 1961 Subaru van and a 1967 ’53 Packard ambulance qualify loosely as add toys, signs and other memorabilia, dates to 1954, when Dick Geisler opened Toyota Stout 1600 pickup. The latter is “commercial vehicles,” and a stylish ’57 some of which it would be extremely hard it under the name Pioneer Auto Museum. something you don’t see everyday, even Dodge Sweptside pickup hints at the “de- to fi nd anywhere else. It’s also doubtful Today, it’s his son, Dave, who will most when it was new. signer trucks” of the late ’50s. Strangely, that light-duty truck lovers will fi nd an likely greet you at the door. If you buy Other trucks in the Pioneer Auto Show no Rancheros and El Caminos of this era assortment of this type anywhere else. a ticket — which Dave will tell you is fl eet range from a 1921 White motorhome appear. If you’re starting to plan your hobby cheaper than those for many other high- to a 1988 Nissan three-wheel truckster. Desirable later-model trucks found in travel for 2008, you might want to con- way attractions — you’ll gain entrance to The earliest light-duty commercial ve- Murdo include a ’77 Dodge Warlock and a sider visiting Murdo in May. In addition a treasure trove of trucking history (plus hicle appears to be a 1912 Model T Ford ’78 Dodge Lil’ Red Express. There’s also to being a place and time, “Murdo in cars, tractors, motorcycles and all kinds panel delivery. There is also a 1918 Nash a ’73 Dodge wrecker, ’66 Ford Bronco May” is the name of an annual event held of Americana). truck, 1918 Samson cab-over-engine ex- and two classes of ’68 Ford pickups: F150 at Pioneer Auto Show the weekend before After you pass through the turnstile press, 1920 Model T fi re engine, three and F250. There is a ’63 Falcon Ranchero Memorial Day. It includes a swap meet, a (probably an antique itself), you’ll wind 1926 Fords (including a fl atbed and a fi re and a Pinto Cruising Wagon. Not listed car corral and a classic car and truck auc- your way through several buildings, some truck), 1929 Ford Model A camper and a in the latest edition of the Pioneer Auto tion. Last year, people came from more of which are truly pioneer, as they date to Ford pickup from the same year, ’32 Ford Show directory, but appearing in the pho- than 25 states to enjoy this springtime the trucking industry’s early days; other Model B pickup, ’36 Ford Austrailian tos, is a late-’70s El Camino. This is not event. Of course, you can always visit buildings hold 1920s-’80s models. There Ute, ’37 Indiana truck and ’37 Diamond unusual, since Giesler “rotates” a number Pioneer Auto Show by computer at www. are buildings fi lled only with trucks and T fi re truck. of vehicles each year in order to keep the pioneerautoshow.com. Old trucks decorate this replica of the 1906 Murdo Fire Department at A very colorful and rare ’48 Nash Pioneer Auto Show. This South Dakota attraction should not be con- pickup. Each Nash dealer got only fused with Pioneer Village, in Minden, Neb., which also has hundreds one of these service trucks to use to The unmistakably handsome lines of the ’49 Diamond T of old vehicles. keep things “all-Nash.” pickup look great even in a rather dark, unlit quonset hut. 12 MAY 24, 2007.