1909 HUPPMOBILE

Seems no one is sure where this little car came from. Local historians remember its history beginning when Robert Denslake of Orient, SD acquired it in the early 1930’s, in hopes of driving it to high school. It seems Bob received it in disrepair, and a local mechanic with the last name of Zellmer was able to get it back on the road with parts from a 1910 model he had in his iron pile.

When Bob returned from the war, he moved to Faulkton and became the owner and operator of the Red Owl grocery store. The little car became a feature in most every parade of Faulkton, always wearing a Red Owl logo.

Overheating problems became a very common occurrence during the parades, but the Hupp never gave up.

Upon Bob’s death, the ownership was transferred to family members. In 2011, they made the decision to find a new caretaker that would enjoy and share the car as Bob had. I purchased the car in 2011 to keep it from leaving its Faulk County roots.

In 2012, one week before the Orient 125th celebration, the overheating problem was solved. The car returned to Orient for the parade which was completed with all the fanfare it deserved as a true survivor of 103 years.

It was in the James Valley Threshing show parade, where these photos were taken.

Bruce’s 1909 Huppmobile is one of many vintage automobiles in the James Valley Threshers Show.

Here are a few that were in our Vintage Car Show this year: