Don’t judge a book by it’s cover… The Meacham Collection Auction

We all have heard the saying “Don’t judge a book by Its cover.” Glen Meacham was a prime example of this. If you met him, you would know that he was a staunch Republican and more than willing to give you his opinion on the day’s events. He also was soft under that exterior. A good guy with a soft heart under a trucker’s tough exterior.

Glen was born on a farm in Carlisle, Iowa. Like any farm boy, he couldn’t wait to help out in the field. Even before his feet could reach the pedals, Glen was helping on the family farm. The Meacham family farmed with Massey Harris tractors and this family history is part of the reason that his antique tractor collection is packed full of Massey Harris and Massey Ferguson antique tractors. Glen entered the army and served in the Pacific in WWII. He was honorably discharged and made it back home to farm with his dad. His future wife Alna Meacham was also a member of the Waves and also served in WWII. After the war he married Alna and they were eager to start their own lives and family.

Glen also hauled mail across country and called his trucking route “The Meacham Pony Express.” While crossing the country he would find cars and tractors that he would work to bring back home to his ever-growing collection. Glen and Alna desperately wanted children, but little did they know that their family would soon grow quickly.

Glen met many people; one of them was a fellow truck driver. They knew each other through work and his wife was pregnant. She tragically died during child birth. The man was left with a new baby and 2 other children. The man couldn’t take care of the children on his own and Alna and Glen adopted all 3 children and raised them as their own. The kids soon were involved in their dad’s hobby and would go along to get the collector cars, antique tractors, and Indian motorcycles.

Glen had a wild side in his younger days and rode Indian motorcycles. He was always on the look out for them. He found the 1940 Indian Four and one of the kids remembered a wild ride on the rear fender all the way home. Glen also liked collector cars and as a family, Alna, Glen and the kids, went all over the country buying them. Fords were a favorite and there is a 1936 Ford Cabriolet that the kids remembered riding in the rumble seat on the way home. There is a 1959 Series 62 Cadillac that Glen and Alna took a bus to Hollywood and drove the car back from California. The car was in an 80’s movie called “Inside Moves.” Glen had many stories that came along with the cars in the collection which grew to nearly 60 vehicles.

Glen was a farmer to the core and still had the family farm. He was constantly looking through the tractor publications for the next addition to his collection. The collection is primarily Massey Harris and Massey Ferguson Tractors, but has a little of everything for all collectors. The collection has John Deere, Minneapolis Moline, International and more. There is a Rare 1930 Massey Harris GP that was restored and shown by Alna and Glen. A rare Cockshutt Black Hawk Tractor, Hi-Crop A Farmall, Fordson with compactor conversion, and more.

Tucked amongst the tractors were a 1947 Indian Chief, 1948 Indian Chief, and a rare 1940 Indian Four. They are barn fresh and ready for restore. As Glen grew older he still had a wild side and the Indians fit the bill. Since trucking was a big part of Glen’s life, the collection includes his personal 1971 Mack, Gold Bulldog RS700L. This was the truck that went all over the US picking up treasure and adding vehicles to Glen’s collection. He loved to talk about his collection and share his knowledge with friends, family, and anyone who saw his collection.

Glen and Alna passed away and now the collection will be sold to the highest bidder. VanDerBrink Auctions will sell the Meacham collection in a LIVE ONSITE auction with ONLINE bidding at the farm by Carlisle, IA. Day 1, Sept. 26, 2020 at 9:30 will be the Approx. 100 Antique Tractors, Dozers, trucks, parts, and collectibles collection. Day 2, Sept. 27, 2020 at 10am will be the Indian Motorcycles and Collector cars. We hope that you come and bid on this amazing collection at the farm by Carlisle, IA and if you can’t be there, bid online from the comfort of your home. The complete catalog, pictures, and more auctions are on the website. www.vanderbrinkauctions.com or call 605-201-7005.