Car time capsule up for sale in Nebraska – the Lambrecht Chevrolet story

THIS is your chance to buy a nearly-unused classic car. Lambrecht Chevrolet of Pierce, Neb., (prop. Ray and Mildred Lambrecht) shuts its doors after 50 years business. The Lambrechts never did sell all the cars they owned, many taken in part exchange. Land is cheap. Space is not at a premium. So. They kept around 500 of them. And now these cars – many have less than 10miles on the clocks – are for sale.

Cars like the 1956 Chevrolet Cameo with mile on the clock and a 1978 Corvette that’s done five miles.

The couple’s son writes:

The Story of Ray P. Lambrecht and Lambrecht Chevrolet Company by Jeannie Lambrecht Stillwell

Urban legends speak of a former Midwest Chevy dealer with a collection of hundreds of vehicles hidden away in a rural setting. Rumors abound regarding this man and the mystery of that collection. The man behind that legend is my father, Ray P. Lambrecht. Dad owned and operated Lambrecht Chevrolet Company from 1946 until 1996, selling new Chevrolets to multiple generations of families all over the Midwest and beyond. This is his story.

Dad was born in 1918 during the Great Depression in rural Pierce County, Nebraska, a small farming community. He displayed a strong interest in cars and trucks from a very early age. As a boy, he created a lifelike replica of a delivery truck from scraps of wood and metal after spotting one on a street. The reproduction featured intricate detailing down to a hand-carved steering wheel and a complete exhaust system underneath.

Dad first drove a car at the age of 9. He climbed into the family’s 1927 tan Chevrolet two-door coupe and drove his mother 7 miles into the nearest town for groceries. Driver’s licenses costing $1 weren’t required by law until 1941. Dad made the journey driving 20-25 mph over dirt roads, barely tall enough to peek over the steering wheel. The sight was shocking enough to prompt the local banker to rush out of his office in amazement saying, “Look at that little guy driving!!!”…

Dad’s opportunity to begin his career as a Chevrolet Dealer presented itself upon returning home. Prior to the war, General Motors had been distributing franchises throughout small towns in the Midwest, and one of them had been given to Dad’s uncle Ernest. Ernest had been operating out of a small garage, and he needed both Dad’s financing and also his ability to construct a dealership building in order to really start growing the business…

Dad was a gifted carpenter and architect. He obtained the necessary materials, designed the building, and then built the dealership that still stands today…

Lambrecht Chevrolet Company was owned and operated by my parents, Ray and Mildred Lambrecht with only one employee, a mechanic. They operated the dealership for 50 years until they retired in 1996 at ages 78 and 75. My parents worked six days a week for 50 years, never taking one single day of vacation or one sick day…

Dad managed the dealership and handled all sales. Mom was second-in-command, and supported Dad in every aspect of the business. She served as notary public for the dealership, handled all accounting, and made almost daily runs for parts….

I remember the 1953 white Corvette convertible we had when I was four years old and my little brother, Mark, was two. Mark spent his free time tooling around in a little Corvette replica pedal car that looked like the original. I, however, was more interested in getting inside the real thing. What I remember most is my frustration in not being able to open the doors. The 1953 Corvette had no outside door handle and I was pretty short…

Dad is now 95 years old, and Mom is 92…

The decision to auction the inventory of Lambrecht Chevrolet Company was a difficult and painful one. The collection of over 500 true survivor vehicles comprise a lifetime of hard work, tears, and joy for both of my parents. The dealership today is a virtual time capsule that will be opened and all contents will be sold at auction. The inventory of the dealership’s vehicles includes many new cars with original MSO’s as well as hundreds of rare 50’s and 60’s Chevys ideal for restoration projects. Looking back at the history of Lambrecht Chevrolet, my parents have no regrets, and are proud of the thousands of new cars and trucks they sold to many generations of happy customers. They hope that these rare collectible vehicles will now be the source of joy and inspiration for car enthusiasts everywhere.

VanDerBrink Auctions, LLC is honored to offer this Time Capsule of Chevrolets. It’s amazing. A 1956 Chevrolet Cameo PIckup with less than 10 miles on MSO, a 1963 Chevrolet IMpala with less than 10 miles on MSO, and the list goes on including many from the 1950’s, 60’s including TRi-Fives, Chevelles, IMpalas, and more. There is also an assortment of cars that were Trades and were parked away and not sold. 

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Spotter: VanDerBrink Auction