PURVIS — Dave Ferry is no stranger to rare cars.
Ferry owns a 1952 Sears Allstate, but that didn’t stop his excitement when he saw the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile during its November stop at Ramey’s grocery store in Purvis.
“It was almost magical,” Ferry said.
Ferry spent about 20 minutes at Ramey’s, getting a good look at the famed method of transportation — and then waiting on the admirers of his antique vehicle to finish taking photos.
Ferry first came across the 1952 Allstate on eBay and decided to purchase the unique model. After driving to Kansas City, Mo., to claim his prize, he hauled the Allstate back to Purvis.
“I’ve owned it (the Allstate) for eight or nine years,” Ferry said. “It is very rare — probably the rarest around here.”
To put into perspective how uncommon Ferry’s car is, an article in Car Collector magazine said there are fewer than 20 complete Allstates known in existence. That article was written more than 30 years ago.
A friend in Florida helped Ferry hot rod the car, and now the 1952 Sears Allstate boasts a V8 Ford Mustang motor, automatic transmission, updated brakes and even working air conditioning.
Ferry estimated the total cost of the project to be about $35,000 for the body and all the modifications made during the past nine years.
“I spent more than I really needed to,” he said. “It’s always something when your car is (60-some) years old.”
Ferry is getting his money’s worth though, as he drives the antique car around Purvis daily. He is also a member of a few car clubs and regularly participates in car shows, including Mississippi’s ever-popular Cruising the Coast.
The latest project on Ferry’s agenda is a 1948 Packard Deluxe, which currently runs with its original engine thanks to a company out of Gulfport.
“I meet a lot of people because they (the cars) are all conversation pieces,” Ferry said.
“... More people will come over and talk to me over the guy with a $50,000 Camaro.”
Source: www.hattiesburgamerican.com
Ferry owns a 1952 Sears Allstate, but that didn’t stop his excitement when he saw the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile during its November stop at Ramey’s grocery store in Purvis.
“It was almost magical,” Ferry said.
Ferry spent about 20 minutes at Ramey’s, getting a good look at the famed method of transportation — and then waiting on the admirers of his antique vehicle to finish taking photos.
Ferry first came across the 1952 Allstate on eBay and decided to purchase the unique model. After driving to Kansas City, Mo., to claim his prize, he hauled the Allstate back to Purvis.
“I’ve owned it (the Allstate) for eight or nine years,” Ferry said. “It is very rare — probably the rarest around here.”
To put into perspective how uncommon Ferry’s car is, an article in Car Collector magazine said there are fewer than 20 complete Allstates known in existence. That article was written more than 30 years ago.
A friend in Florida helped Ferry hot rod the car, and now the 1952 Sears Allstate boasts a V8 Ford Mustang motor, automatic transmission, updated brakes and even working air conditioning.
Ferry estimated the total cost of the project to be about $35,000 for the body and all the modifications made during the past nine years.
“I spent more than I really needed to,” he said. “It’s always something when your car is (60-some) years old.”
Ferry is getting his money’s worth though, as he drives the antique car around Purvis daily. He is also a member of a few car clubs and regularly participates in car shows, including Mississippi’s ever-popular Cruising the Coast.
The latest project on Ferry’s agenda is a 1948 Packard Deluxe, which currently runs with its original engine thanks to a company out of Gulfport.
“I meet a lot of people because they (the cars) are all conversation pieces,” Ferry said.
“... More people will come over and talk to me over the guy with a $50,000 Camaro.”
Source: www.hattiesburgamerican.com