For many automobile enthusiasts, the journey into a lifelong passion for collecting real machinery begins long before a driver’s license is ever acquired. For some, it starts with miniature die-cast models like Hot Wheels or Matchbox cars. For others, heavy-duty Tonka trucks served as the ultimate gateway drug to real-car collecting habits.
Tim Wertish of Minnesota turned his childhood affinity for these rugged toy trucks into a full-blown mission to rescue and preserve vintage full-scale trucks from destruction. Now, that immense collection—comprising upwards of 400 vehicles alongside an array of classic cars, rare automotive parts, and vintage service station accessories—is heading to the auction block this month.
In a recent interview with CBS News, Wertish reflected on how his childhood fascination with toy trucks naturally evolved into acquiring actual classic vehicles once he turned 16 years old. He noted that his collecting habits might have been partially inspired by his parents, who shared a similar passion for automotive history and even hosted an auction of their own back in 1979. Describing his ongoing dedication to preserving automotive heritage, Wertish told CBS News that it is "probably just an addiction loving all this old stuff."
The origins of his latest preservation effort began in 2019, when Wertish officially established his vintage truck and vehicle collection endeavors, operating much like a dedicated rescue organization. Alongside his uncle, Wertish scoured the countryside within a 100-mile radius of his Minnesota home, tracking down forgotten, weathered vehicles in danger of meeting a definitive and unfortunate fate at the scrap metal crusher.
The scope of the operation expanded significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Wertish, online classified platforms like Craigslist became prime hunting grounds for locating forgotten iron. Each successful expedition often yielded a flurry of fresh leads—sometimes uncovering ten to twenty additional vehicles with every trip out into the rural communities.
Over the years, some of these rescued trucks found new homes with fellow like-minded collectors who shared Wertish’s appreciation for automotive patina and historical preservation. Many others, however, were brought back to Wertish’s property, where they were meticulously sorted and displayed by brand and era. Recently, however, the property was sold, prompting Wertish to organize a massive two-day auction to ensure that the remaining hundreds of vehicles and automotive artifacts find appreciative new caretakers.
Over 400 listings covering five decades of vehicles and their parts
When Wertish first began gathering the machinery, there was never a rigid end goal or a strict master plan for the collection. Instead, his initial focus was simply on acquiring heavy trucks, and the project naturally snowballed from there. What eventually materialized on his property was an extraordinary, sprawling display of patina-heavy vehicles spanning multiple decades of American automotive history.
The collection features iconic nameplates from legendary manufacturers including Chevrolet, Ford, Dodge, and International Harvester, complemented by a smattering of rarer finds from Jeep, GMC, Studebaker, and REO. The inventory ranges from utilitarian farm trucks and vintage firefighter vehicles to passenger cars, spanning model years from as early as 1928 all the way up to 1979.
For prospective buyers attending the auction or browsing online catalogs, the vast majority of these vehicles are strictly non-running. They represent quintessential project cars—a veritable paradise for wrench-turners, restorers, and fabricators who appreciate the structural integrity of older steel and are willing to invest the time and labor required to bring them back to life.
Amidst the fields of projects and non-running restoration candidates, however, sits a notable exception in actual running condition: a classic 1966 Dodge Hemi Charger. As online bidding commenced, excitement surrounding the high-performance Mopar muscle car pushed early figures upward. According to the vehicle’s listing, the Charger appears to retain its original factory paint in fairly decent condition, while the remainder of the car shows remarkably minor rusting. Under the hood sits a rebuilt legendary 426 Hemi engine, and the odometer reads 76,031 miles.
Beyond the sheer scale of the vehicle inventory, the auction catalog also encompasses a wide array ofautomotive memorabilia, garage art, and petroliana. Prospective bidders will find front-end wall art, vintage gas and service station signage, custom-made bars crafted from the front ends of classic automobiles, and even a historic railroad luggage cart. Among the diverse lineup of commercial vehicles, particular attention has been drawn to items like a 1963 Chevrolet 95 ramp-side pickup, though prospective buyers will need to verify the operational status of the motor.
The extensive auction event is already underway online, culminating in live in-person and continued online bidding sessions hosted through VanDerBrink Auctions. Day one of the massive collector car and truck auction is scheduled for Friday, September 25, followed by day two on Saturday, September 26.
Despite parting ways with this monumental assembly of automotive history, Wertish hinted that this may not mark a permanent conclusion to his days of vehicle procurement. Once his children are fully grown, he acknowledged, he just might dive right back into the thrilling chase of rescuing vintage trucks all over again.
