Kaiser Frazer Owners Club Forum
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: r1lark on March 25, 2018, 05:26:28 AM
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Here are a bunch of pictures (not taken by me) of a huge car collection owned by the late Vigil Marple of Independence MN. Virgil passed away last year on Christmas Eve. I saw a couple of Kaisers, and a Darrin in the pictures.
Link:
https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipMoPrHvNDx__ob9fL4WpuOU8FU4QbTC4wEqNqGyuCLHTm4f9HQryJ1V4CdXz_OV_A?key=QUJwNEFnTEU4enJSVVQ0UXhFcDY0b29pWnhYVlZR (https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipMoPrHvNDx__ob9fL4WpuOU8FU4QbTC4wEqNqGyuCLHTm4f9HQryJ1V4CdXz_OV_A?key=QUJwNEFnTEU4enJSVVQ0UXhFcDY0b29pWnhYVlZR)
You will have to scroll down some to find the Kaisers and the Darrin.
edited to fix the link
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Wow! A tremendous orphan car collection. Notice the customized '49-50 Packard.
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Quite a collection. What I see is the results of "I'm just going to collect the stuff I like"...and it turned into what you see here. An affliction that affects many of us!
I see more than one car I'd like to have in my stable.
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Rare - at least two 4-door Avantis.
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Looks like he was partial to Studebakers , but then , who isn't ?
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Studebaker High Preistess
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What an awesome collection. A dream-world of independent auto manufacturer cars!
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So what is the status of this collection? Is it coming up for sale? Looks like a prime Vanderbrink target.
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Independence, MN is one county away from me. I don't remember ever hearing about nor seeing any one of these cars. It's still amazing how many continue to surface after all of these years.
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So what is the status of this collection? Is it coming up for sale? Looks like a prime Vanderbrink target.
Honestly, I don't know. If I see anything over at the Studebaker forum, I'll post it here.
Here is Virgil's obituary:
Marple, Virgil Alan age 78, of Independence, MN, entered heaven on December 24, 2017, to celebrate Christmas with His Lord Jesus Christ. He was born on August 16, 1939, to Laurence and Opal (Lacey) Marple, on the family farm in Wendell, MN. Virgil attended country school and elementary school in Wendell, MN, and graduated from high school at Elbow Lake, MN in 1957. Virgil attended the University of Minne-sota graduating with distinction in 1962 with a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering. In 1965 he received his Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Southern California. In 1970 Virgil received his Ph.D degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Minnesota. From 1962 -1965 he worked in the aerospace industry at Aeronutronic, a division of Ford Motor Company in Newport Beach, CA. From 1965-1967 Virgil was employed at Fluidyne Engineering in Golden Valley, MN. Virgil was a Mechanical Engineering professor at the University of Minnesota for 41 years, the director of the Engineering Co-op Program for 25 years, and a founding faculty advisor for the Solar Vehicle Project. Virgil focused his research in the field of particle technology and aerosol science, for which he received numerous awards. As an extension of this research Virgil became co-owner of MSP Corp, and owner of Elpram Systems, Inc. and Compotech Systems, Inc. His many patents for impactors and associated devices are still widely in use in the semi-conductor, mining, and pharmaceutical industries. On June 15, 1962, Virgil and Theresa Koep were united in marriage in Elbow Lake, MN. Virgil's faith and family were an integral part of his life, and nothing could light up his face more brightly than hearing the laughter and chatter of his five granddaughters. His quiet faith was manifested in his generous heart. He had much compassion and concern for the poor where he, Theresa and Wendy visited Flores de Ville, a community built of cardboard homes on a garbage dump in Lima, Peru. He saw his compassionate nature come to light in his ability to make many Peruvians live a better lifestyle with their homes, better education, and better health care. In doing so he created lifelong friendships with these dear people. Virgil lived on his Independence, MN farm for 40 years where he continued his love of farming, provided a home to innumerable rescue kitties, and pursued his passion for antique and rare vehicles - especially Studebakers. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Theresa (Koep), 3 daughters, Jill Rivard (Curt), Holly Gnitka (Steve), Wendy Marple, and 5 granddaughters, Catherine Rivard (fiancé Daniel Graul), Hannah Rivard, Sarah Nicholas (Brandon), Leah Gnitka, Elisabeth Gnitka, and trusted colleague and friend, Trever Nye. Brother, Stanley Marple (Bea), sister-in-law, Alice Marple, brother- in-law, Wesley Koep, sister-in-law, Shirley Koep. Virgil was preceded in death by his parents, Laurence and Opal Marple, brother, LeRoy Marple, sister and brother-in-law, Lucille and Ken Sundet, sister-in-law, Ruth Marple, sister-in-law, Ruby Koep. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, December 28, 2017 at 2:00 PM, with visitation one hour prior, at Buffalo Covenant Church, 1601 Highway 25 North, Buffalo, MN 55313. Burial at Lawrence Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Wendell, MN. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Peruvian Partners, PO Box 735, Delano, MN 55328. The Peterson Chapel Buffalo 763-682-1363 thepetersonchapel.com
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TL;DR
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Considering Mr. Marple's accomplishments, I thought his obit was barely adequate and a very interesting read. RIP
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A website has been set up showing the remainder of the Marple collection for sale. Still a couple of Kaisers, and the Darrin project (and yes, the price is $30K ;) ). When you get to the home page, click on the 'Cars for Sale' in the upper left hand corner. All of them have numerous pictures.
Link: http://classiccarsleftbehind.com/ (http://classiccarsleftbehind.com/)
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His prices seem rather high. Was not aware that the Studebaker and Packard looked so much alike at the end of the run for Packards.
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Pack Ardis were rebadged Studebakers at the end. Last true Packard was *
* (iPhone limitations)
Packards were rebadged Studebakers in 1957 and 1958. The last true Packard was 1956.
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So what is the status of this collection? Is it coming up for sale? Looks like a prime Vanderbrink target.
I 100% agree. I know some have requested I don't comment on pricing. The estate can ask whatever they want and put FIRM on the pricing. I guess the information on the website will reach people who are emotionally interested in the cars and they may pay whatever it takes to purchase the cars.
I am thinking of those 1955 Studebaker President Speedsters. Great cars, collectible and highly coveted by Studebaker geeks as r1lark can attest. Are those prices right? Not sure, but Speedsters don't grow on trees and become available even less.
Overall though, placing FIRM on price with some of those cars might be optimistic. Yvette would likely insist on NO RESERVE for a high percentage of those cars and I have been to several of her auctions where the seller-owners had to leave because they could not believe their cars were not bringing more money.
But Vanderbrink level of marketing and zeal could also mean that some of those prices are met and the cars would be removed by someone else within a week. We will just have to stay tuned.
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Thank you, Roadmaster, for the explanation. I saw my first 1954 Kaiser Manhattan in early 1955 and just completely forgot about all the other autos.