The Kroegers’ cars are true classics

Steven and Judy’s garage stores a red 1938 Ford Convertible, a tan 1941 Lincoln Zephyr sedan, and a black 1947 Ford Super Deluxe 4-door sedan. 

 

By Rich Wicks | Guthrie Center Times

A step into the garage of Steven and Judy Kroeger feels like a step back in time. Their garage houses three beautiful classic cars, with the “newest” being more than 75 years old. The Kroegers live along Highway 25 between Menlo and Casey. Steven recently took time to tell the story of the vehicles.

“I grew up on a farm out in eastern Iowa, and my high school car was a 1940 Ford two-door sedan. So, I grew up with these old cars, and you could buy one for $100 or $200 back then, and gas was about 20 cents a gallon,” Kroeger said. 

The classic cars in the Kroeger garage include a red 1938 Ford Convertible sedan, a tan 1941 Lincoln Zephyr sedan, and a black 1947 Ford Super Deluxe 4-door sedan. 

“I like the old Fords. I like the styling of them,” he said.

Kroeger is a longtime and involved member of the Early Ford V-8 Club of America.

“I was the national secretary for four years and served on the board for six. I’m still a member,” Kroeger said. “There are about 6,000 members now.”

When asked specifically what qualifies as an “Early Ford” as designated in the club name, Kroeger has a ready answer.

“That’s 1932 through 1953 with the old flatheaded engines,” he said. “I like the 1930s and 1940s cars.”

Kroeger went on to tell the tale of each of his Early Fords.

“The 1947 is the first one I had that I fixed up when I moved out here. My wife was born in 1947, so that was my hook for buying that one,” Kroeger said. “We bought it down in Truro, Iowa, for a little over $2,000.” 

The car was in generally good shape when he bought it, but Kroeger knew some upgrades were needed.

“It needed a little fixing. It had a 1950 Mercury engine in it, which was a good engine, a little more horsepower, and I haven’t touched that engine other than converting it to 12-volt,” Kroeger said. “So, we fixed it up and got it painted and did a few things to it. It’s been in the national magazine.”

Asked how much of the work he himself can do, Kroeger said he leaves the major work to professionals.

 “I do a lot of the little detail stuff, and I can do some wiring. But as far as tearing an engine apart and rebuilding it, or body work and painting, you’ve got to have equipment for that,” he said.

Kroeger said the 1941 Lincoln Zephyr was a long-term project but well worth the wait.

“I restored the 1941 Lincoln over about an eight-year period,” Kroeger said. “I belong to three car clubs. The Early Ford V-8 Club of America, the Lincoln Zephyr Owners Club, and the Antique Automobile Club of America. And that car has received the top award at all three clubs. That’s a pretty good showing.”

Despite his cars’ age and rarity, Kroeger enjoys getting them out on the road. Although his vehicles have experienced a variety of damages from rocks and other objects, Kroeger still feels that’s better than just leaving a car in the garage all the time.

“The 1947 and the Lincoln have both been in some cars shows,” Kroeger said. “We’ve had the Lincoln up to Minnesota, Wisconsin, Oklahoma and Illinois.”

Kroeger’s newest addition is also his oldest car. 

“The 1938 convertible sedan I just bought in March. It drives really nice,” Kroeger said. “The interesting thing about that car is that President Franklin D. Roosevelt had one of the same models down in Georgia. Convertible sedans have always intrigued me. I never thought I’d own one. It’s red, and my wife always wanted a red convertible, so it’s titled in her name.”