In memoriam: James T. Lenzke, 1941-2016

It is with great sadness that the Old Cars Weekly staff reports the passing of one of its own.

On May 26, retired editor James T. Lenzke of Iola, Wis., died after a fall in his home.

Lenzke joined the Old Cars Weekly staff of Krause Publications on Oct. 22, 1984, as a sales representative, a position that had him rubbing elbows with hobby movers and shakers on the phone and at car shows across the country. By 1988, Lenzke was able to put his vast automotive knowledge to paper when he became the auction editor, a position in which he compiled sale results from the leading auctions in the hobby.

A stickler for detail, Lenzke’s editing and proofreading skills also ensured information within Old Cars Weekly and Old Cars Price Guide was accurate during his tenure. When Lenzke retired from Krause Publications at the end of 2000, he was editing automotive books for Old Cars Weekly, many of them in the Standard Catalog series. One of the last book titles Lenzke edited was the third edition of the “Standard Catalog of Light-Duty Trucks.”

Although Lenzke enjoyed vehicles of all types — many of which he knew inside and out — he was a Cadillac man through and through, with a particular fondness for 1960s models.

A memorial service for the native Racine, Wis., resident will be held by his family and close friends in his adopted home of Iola on May 29.

The Old Cars Weekly staff extends its deepest sympathies to Lenzke’s family, notably his lovely wife, Nancy.