There aren’t many ways to link Tom Mix and Elvis Presley. Maybe there aren’t any – other than the Pioneer Auto Museum, of course.
Dave Geisler and his family have gathered 275 automobiles, 60 tractors, 60 motorcycles and an assortment of additives from music boxes to rocks at their one-of-a-kind museum in Murdo. The cars range from a 1902 jewel to a 1981 Trabant, a product of the late and unlamented East German auto industry. There’s also a Flanders, a Hupmobile, and a 1959 Cadillac El Dorado with tail fins as big as those on a F-14. As for Mix and Presley: Tom’s 1931 Packard convertible is just on building over from a 1976 Harley once owned by The King himself.
2010 Spring Carlisle Issue - Vol 39 No. 15 April 15, 2010
Sound Your Horn - Tucker Worth The Wait
I just finished the interesting article about the fate of the missing Tucker cars. The story reminded me of an occasion about 20 years ago, when my wife and I were on a motor trip. We were in South Dakota when we saw a sign telling us to stop at the Pioneer Auto Museum just ahead. It is located at Murdo, SD, population about 600. What a surprise! The museum has a large indoor area with restored and original-condition cars.
On August 11th Mike Wolfe, Danielle Colby Cushman and a film crew from the History Channel’s “American Pickers” stopped in Murdo, SD to search through the treasures contained within the 42 buildings that make up Pioneer Auto Show and Museum.
RAPID CITY, S.D. – Three of the rarest and oldest vehicles in the world were recently delivered to the famous Pioneer Auto Show in Murdo, S.D.
Dave's Transport delivered the vehicles, which fulfilled a long-term negotiation of moving them from a northeast collection where they had been housed for 65 years.
"Now, we have the honor of displaying the vehicles at Pioneer Auto Show," said Dave Geisler Sr., owner of the classic car museum. "These rare gems add more class to our entire collection."
The antique car museum’s new vehicles include the 1904 Holsman Model K, the 1907 Middleby and the 1903 Ford Model A. Some facts about each of the vintage cars are as follows:
MURDO, S.D. – Pioneer Auto in Murdo, South Dakota has recently acquired a one of a kind 1905 Fiat.
The vehicle was delivered in 1905 to Hollander & Tagman in New York City. Verbal history shows it then sold to August H. Busch in St Louis, and is now believed to be the only 69 Horsepower Fiat in existence.
"This car was one of the first models to be produced by Fiat," said Dave Geisler Sr., owner of Pioneer Auto. "We are excited to add the historic value and distinctiveness of the 1905 Fiat to our collection."
With a 650 cubic displacement engine, the 1905 Fiat was a powerful four geared, rear-wheel drive vehicle owned by the elite in the time period, such as Kaiser Wilhelm.
The unique addition to the classic car collection has a running gear priced at $13,000 and a Quinby Body priced at $4,500, making the full price of the car $17,500.
Murdo, SD - Every year, during the third weekend of August, over 200 of the most prized collector cars and motorcycles in the world enter onto what is often called the best finishing hole in golf — the famed eighteenth fairway at Pebble Beach Golf Resort in Pebble Beach, California.
South Dakota was represented, and did not disappoint by taking 2nd place in Class L-1 (Prewar Preservation) with the 1905 Fiat 60 HP Quimby Touring, entered by David Geisler Sr. of Pioneer Auto Show, Murdo, SD.
Founder Dave Geisler motors through stroke to keep legendary SD attraction humming.
By: DOUGLAS GLADSTONE, For The Daily Republic
This sign announcing the Pioneer Auto attraction in Murdo is visible to travelers on Interstate 90.
MURDO — Few people rival David A. Geisler for the title of "raconteur." He's the owner of the Pioneer Auto Show and Prairie Town, located off Interstate 90's Exit 192 in Murdo. The attraction has more than 300 vintage cars, trucks and motorcycles.
What better way to spend at least a day than at a veritable Western version of the "Smithsonian" museum located on the wind-swept prairie of South Dakota? If you take us up on this idea, you'll be among 100,000 or so other visitors that show up here each season – and the season in South Dakota is mainly June through October.
Lincoln, NE – One of the most iconic cars in television history, the General Lee, will be on display on February 22 and 23rd during the 10th Annual Winter Fest Flea Market and Antique Show at the Lancaster Event Center. One of the only remaining 1969 Dodge Chargers used in the filming of the television series the Dukes of Hazzard will make the journey from Pioneer Auto Show and Museum in Murdo, South Dakota for the two day event.
St Louis, MO – The 1905 Fiat that is believed to have once been owned by the prestigious August A. Busch, Sr., will be started up at a special private event called "Start-Up Day" on February 1, 2014.
Believed the lone survivor of 20 similar examples produced, the originality and uniqueness of 3003 make it even more singular among a group of early survivors that are regarded by automotive historians as faster, more technically interesting, and far rarer than the handful of remaining 60HP Mercedes, which have long been considered the Holy Grail of early high-horsepower cars.
Kansas City, MO – The 1905 Fiat from Murdo, SD has won the Chairman's Award at the world famous Art of the Concours in Kansas City on June 22, 2014.
Of the 220 cars assembled at the show field on June 22 at the Kansas City Art Institute, the Fiat earned the honor of the Chairman's Award. The Art of the Car Concours is unique in that there are no classes or judges. Marshall Miller, Concours founder and chairman, recognized the unique significance of this special automobile.
