Projects

Classic Cars back from the dead The 1938 Chevy Farm Truck
The Goodman family has decided to bring back this farm truck to its original glory. "It is amazing to think that my great grandfather and grandfather drove it." This 1938 farm truck has become quite a family treasure and after it's restoration at Murpho's Rods and Customs in Austin Texas it will be ready to continue being a part of our families moments in life.



The truck was purchased at Obermeyers Chevrolet in Herington, Kansas in 1938 by Carsey Otto Veerhusen (1889-1967) , David Goodman's great grandfather. Little did he know at the time what this truck would grow to mean to his future relatives.

The truck was bought to help on the family farm, where wheat, corn, and milo were grown and livestock was raised. After Carsey passed the truck and farm was left to his son Lawrence Carsey Veerhusen. Lawerence followed in his father's foot steps and grew to be a lifelong farmer. Lawerence and his wife Meta used the truck to operate the farm and for transportation to get supplies from town. Often Lawerence used the truck to tote his two daughters Betty and Donna to the elevator in Council Grove, Kansas. While there they would pick up flour for their mother to bake bread, cookies and items for their meals.



Donna was always fascinated by this vehicle growing up. She recalls there was a lever beside the gear shift, that was on the floor. To shift gears you had to hold the lever to complete shifting" explained Donna.

Lawerence and his son Larry would work on the truck together to keep it running and in good condition. Larry continues to own and run the family farm today.

As the years went by, the truck wasn't driven on the highways, but only used for grain storage on the farm. " I remember playing on and in this truck as a child. My grandmother and I used feed from the bed of the truck to feed the livestock" says David.


"My grandparents were very special to me and my fondest memories of a child are on the farm with them." David explains when asked about his reasons for wanting to restore the vehicle. "Being on the farm taught me many of core values in life and this truck and is one of the few things that remains from my great grandfather."

Once they decided to restore the truck it loaded from the same garage where it was parked since 1985. It was put on a trailer and delivered to Murpho's. We chose Murpho's because "We felt that they would treat it as their own. They have a great passion for what they do and would do whatever it took to bring the truck back to life."

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The Old Goat


Missy O’Connor has been dreaming of restoring her family’s vehicle in which her parents dated and now she is making it a reality. She is bringing her classic Pontiac GTO back to life after many years of it sitting outside on her family’s property. The 1970 GTO, or “the goat” as her parents call it, was purchased new by Tony O’Connor, her father at Cobb-Kirkland Motor Company in Montgomery, Alabama on January 6th 1970. This rare convertible option with factory air was assembled in Pontiac, MI. The 1970 GTO showcased a major restyle with flared fenders and quarter panels, a new endura nose and sleek chrome bumper with integral tail lamps.
This car shares great memories throughout the family. Pat her mother as seen in the picture can remember when Tony’s squadron painted and decorating the goat with “JUST MARRIED” before Tony and Pat drove off to start their life together.
They became part of a GTO club in which they participated in picnics and hangouts for many years. They are very excited to see the old goat accompanying their daughter on her first car show or cruise in.
Missy can remember her and her brother, Patrick routinely playing in the GTO taking turns driving around without
even leaving the garage. At one point , Tony restored the vehicle when Missy was much younger and she served as his helper doing the glamorous job of cleaning bolts and every once in a while getting asked to grab or turn something in a spot where only her little hands could fit.

Missy also recalls her father driving her and Patrick to his night job in the GTO. “We thought this was the coolest, riding in the GTO on the way there and back, riding around in a golf cart when we got there, and staying up late watching cable TV in which we didn't have at home.”
Missy can’t wait to get her goat out of the shop. The goat is currently at Murpho’s Rods and Customs receiving a complete frame off restoration to restore it to its original glory so Missy can cherish it and all her family’s memories forever.
Finished.... Please check out our facebook page for more pictures of the old Goat



Delia Blue’s long journey to Austin, Texas

The fifty-nine Dodge Coronet Lancer came from Dufresne Auto Company Dealership out of Boise, Idaho. It is a family car, originally purchased by the Great Grandfather of it’s current owner, Denise. The car had been in her Grandfather’s possession until just before Denise’s 16th birthday while on a family trip he asked if she would like to have the Dodge. Already having a love of classic cars while in her teenage years, she quickly responded “YES!!!”. After the family vacation was over Learner’s Permit in hand Denise and her mother followed her Dad and her sister on the long drive home from Idaho to California.

Delia Blue, as she is now called, was then lovingly referred to as the “Batmoblie” (a name given to her by friends). With just over 50k on the odometer, she served as Denise’s daily driver until the age of 19. Though it broke her heart, she then sold the car to her parents for $1000 after accepting a new job that would take her away from home. Her parents knew how much she loved the car and though her name would no longer exist on the title, they assured her that it would always really belong to her. They promised that she could have the car back when she was able to give it the care, time and attention it needed.

Fast-forward 22 years, and Delia Blue is on a flatbed on its way to Ohio. Denise never expected to be away from her beloved car for that long but as we all know life can throw a wrench into one’s plans. While her parents took exceptional care of the car, it was definitely to the point of needing a bit of restoration work. A few projects were completed in the first two years after Denise regained possession but her attention then shifted to saving money to get her and Delia Blue out of the Midwest.

Denise recalled, “It just became to difficult for me to lock the Dodge up in storage from 5-6 months out of the year due to weather conditions.” She goes on to say, “during the last conversation I had with my Grandfather before he died he stated how happy he was that I was taking such good care of his car. Delia made it through the first 47 years of her life without any rust, so I certainly couldn’t put her at risk for that now.”

Finally, in November 2011, Denise and Delia Blue happily arrived in Austin and headed straight to Murpho’s. There is such a great family history to Delia Blue and not many classic cars can stay in the family and in such great condition. Murph recently said “The car has character” and I bet you agree.


A Cool Back Story to the 46 MERC Project


The 46 MERC was originally purchased right after WWII in Albuquerque New Mexico. The original owner had just returned from WWII and became a railroad man, throwing switches and taking the MERC up and down the railroad tracks. (Picture: Victor Vargas)

In 1969, Ruben Vargas Sr. was going to school at Angelo State University and his wife Oralia G. Vargas was working across town so they needed a second vehicle. Ruben found this smoking hot deal and purchased the MERC for $200 dollars in San Angelo Texas from the original owner. Within just a few days of Ruben purchasing the car the original owner tracked him down and wanted to buy the car back, for it was the first car the man had purchased and he regretted selling it. Ruben replied "sorry sir but I really need this car." And that is how the MERC came into the Vargas family.

So Ruben drove the MERC to college, and then in 1972 Victor, his son came along and they moved to a new home in Midland Texas. The MERC made the 120 mile journey to Midland in a “BIG RAIN STORM” even though the vacuum driven wipers worked very slowly causing them to constantly pull off the road. He drove the car daily for a few more years until he bought a truck. At that time the MERC was parked and taken out to the occasional parade or joy ride. (Picture to the left: Victor standing on the hood and Ruben, his father)

The MERC ran great up until 1984 or 1985 when she came across some hard times. The hood was left open, the air cleaner was left off the carb, and low and behold it rained. The block seized up so Ruben and his buddies pushed the car to the backyard, filled the cylinders with Marvin's Miracle Oil, and that is where she sat for 25+ years. She kept Victor, his brother, and their friends company growing up as they pretended to drive her off into the sunset and cruise the strip. The kids used her as a jungle gym and Victor, even as a kid fantasized about restoring her.

Then in 2011 Victor finally asked his dad if he could do something with her. Crazy as it is he gave her to him, even though he has a track record for tearing up cars that his dad has given him. On July 5th 2011, after being parked in the backyard his mom, Oralia got behind the wheel while Ruben and Victor pushed and pulled until she was loaded on a trailer. She made the 350 mile journey to Austin Texas and put in the hands of Murph where the resurrection begins and the journey continues...


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