The Oliver Gang

By Staff
Published on January 1, 1994
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Norm Stuckey's newly restored very rare Super 88 Row Crop Standard Oliver.

4777 Upper Valley Pike, Dayton, Ohio 45424

The 22nd annual show of Northwest Ohio Antique Machinery
Association featured Oliver equipment August 5-8, 1993 at Findlay,
Ohio. There was a lot of enthusiasm among the collectors, members
of the Oliver Gang, from Ohio, Indiana and Michigan. They were
determined to make their second anniversary show rival the great
Oliver show three years ago, at the Miami Valley Steam Threshers at
Plain City, Ohio.

The 130 Olivers were very impressive lined up in front of the
brightly striped hospitality tent. It was difficult to think of a
model or style that wasn’t represented. The owners were
complimented on the fine restoration done. Not only did the
collectors bring tractors, but there was a wide variety of
implements including lawn tractors lined up around the hospitality
tent.

Richard Lynch, a successful farmer and Oliver man, became
frustrated when unable to buy side curtains. This led him to buying
industrial machines and then learning how to run them. The result
was beautifully re produced curtains for several models which he
can sell to help others. The McMillans also offered a wide display
of items.

Everyone appreciated the efforts of Keith and Roger Blue and
their families who made the show so successful. For this they were
given an appropriate plaque.

Steve and Jacquelyn Fish back helped to coordinate everything.
They brought many interesting pieces to the show.

As it neared five o’clock Saturday evening, the Oliver Gang
migrated to the banquet building on the grounds. For only $5.00,
five dollars!! the hungry group filed down the food line where the
members wives and Roger Blue loaded the plates down with good
things to eat. Mike Hodupp was MC for the evening’s program
while his wife, Mary, made a pictorial record with the camera.
Gordon Mitchell from Michigan warmed our hearts by reading a poem
he had written. Don Wood was recognized for donating an Oliver plow
which was raffled off to put some money in the treasury. President
Bill Gamble said we had no dues, just free will offerings. We were
glad Bill’s wife, Margaret, brought all those beautiful
tractors from Wiltshire, Ohio.

Derrell Wilkins, president of the hosting Findlay show, welcomed
the Oliver Gang and expressed appreciation for the big addition to
the show.

Bill and Kay Meeker from North Henderson, Illinois, are starting
an Oliver club in their part of the U.S., and are soliciting
suggestions to make the new Midwest Oliver Collectors Club go.

Kenny Steinbeck, who represented the Hart Parr Oliver Collectors
Association, talked to the group about area and local clubs working
with the National organization for the betterment of our hobby. He
said that all members of small groups had to belong to the National
HPOCA.

Jim Kline, an officer of the HPOCA, expressed the importance of
peace and harmony in all groups. He and his wife, Laquita, brought
several fine tractors to the show from their farm near Green field,
Ohio.

Mike Hodupp introduced the new editor of the HPOCA magazine,
Sherry Schaefer, daughter of Olly Schaefer, a long time Oliver
collector. Sherry admitted she didn’t have experience in this
line of work, but her youthful determination to do a good job will
insure her success.

Keith Woods, well-known for his vast knowledge and literature on
Olivers, introduced speaker Dennis Baker from Richwood, Ohio, who
is one of the foremost collectors in this state. Dennis heard about
an Oliver that was driven from coast to coast, and he began
researching this trip. Dennis learned that Jim Clark, a successful
farmer from Marion, Ohio, conceived the idea of driving an Oliver
990 from the Atlantic to the Pacific. He received the endorsement
from the Oliver Company, the Goodyear Tire Company, and a fuel
company. With all of this support he made the trip using a fast
road gear in just a few weeks. The advertisement benefits exceeded
all expectations and this inspired the second trip which began in
Alaska but ended on the Mexican border when the neighbors to the
south said ‘No way, Jose.’

The meeting ended with congratulations and good wishes and
compliments all around. It was agreed that Richard Kimbel and his
wife, Vicky, brought the best re stored tractor, a Massey Ferguson
98an Oliver Super 99 in MF clothing.

It is good to go to the Findlay show with its great flea market,
400 tractors, many gas engines and 50 cent hot dogs.

I asked a man at the banquet from Little Rock how those in
Arkansas like President Bill Clinton. He said those who like a
leader that taxes and spends, love him.

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