Sleeping Beauty's History
The Dealer
The car was purchased new from Dawson Brothers and Sons in Canistota, South Dakota.
This company was founded by George and Roy Dawson in 1913 and was the 182nd Ford dealer in the country. When Roy Dawson and his sons left the company in 1926, the name was changed to Canistota Auto Company.
George's sons Chub, Bud, Don and Tom joined the business about 1946 when they returned from WWII.
Early in its history the company also sold gasoline. Note the early, "visible" pumps in the photo. At some point tank truck delivery service was added. Don managed the oil business after returning from service. A new service station was built on I-90 when the interstate came through.
The last year as a Ford dealer was 1963. The oil business, the service station and the building were sold in 1978 and the building was demolished in the early 80's.
The Owners
The original owner was Mr. Halfenstein, owner of the K&K store across from Canistota Auto Company. Due to the proximity of Mr. Halfenstein's business and the fact that he was a prominent merchant, we think his car is the one shown above in the 1931 photo of the dealership. It is unlikely the dealership sold many town sedans with side mounts and a trunk.
The second owner, Henry Flick bought the car from Mr. Halfenstein in 1946.
The third owner, Leroy Klockman, inherited the car in 1962 when his grandfather, Henry Flick died.
The fourth owner, Billy Forrester, from Salem, South Dakota bought the car in 1967. His brother-in-law in Milbank, South Dakota repainted the car in 1969.
The engine was also rebuilt in 1969. A doorjamb service record indicates an engine rebuild 8/69 at 80,570 miles. Notes compiled by the 6th owner show an engine rebuild in 1969 at 82,630 miles. It could be someone read 80 as 82 or vice versa.
Other entries on the sticker indicate Billy Forrester owned the car at least until 1975. Mr. Klockman recalls Mr. Forrester owning the car "quite a few years" after 1975. This fits the time line, as the fifth owner was a wheeler-dealer that probably did not keep the car long.
The fifth owner was Duane Wieman from Marion, South Dakota. Mr. Wieman is remembered as owning a tavern in Canistota and at one time selling farm equipment there. He sold the car in 1989 to Gayle Wilts.
The sixth owner, Gayle Wilts, is into personal aircraft and was restoring a Model A at the time. Sleeping Beauty was to be his next project and was stored at the airport in Tea, South Dakota waiting its turn. When the first A project dragged on, Beauty was sold to the seventh owner in 1996.
The seventh owner is a restorer and has a large collection of cars. He agreed to sell me the car when I told him of my dream to resurrect a Model A from years of storage and take it the long way home. From the clues and records, the car has been out of service at least 26 years and maybe longer.
I am the eighth owner, Ron Cloat, Peoria, Illinois. The mileage after my 900-mile trip from South Dakota is 84,335. At this point I don't have a firm plan for the car. It is fun to drive and unique in its preserved condition.
I already have a car like it set up for touring and I would never restore a car that is this close to original. I will likely enjoy it for a while before passing it on to someone that appreciates its place in history.
August 13, 2006
