Back in 1911, Harvey M. Harper was living in Phoenix, Arizona with his wife and 5 children. This was around the time the auto industry was just in its infancy, and having true entrepreneurial spirit, Harvey took a chance and was allowed to start a Ford franchise in the small town of Eureka, California where his family was originally from.
The only problem was that Ford would only offer the franchise to him if he purchased a Ford, and was up-and-running in business within just a couple of months. So, instead of spending his life savings on shipping the car, he decided to make it a publicity-laced stunt drive from Phoenix to Eureka. The gamble truly paid off. By the time he and his family made it through the deserts to the muddy rain-soaked roads of Northern California and got to the spot of his new business, word had already traveled, and people were more than anxious to see the man who completed such a feat. By the end of his first year in business he sold 35 cars and established himself as a pillar of the community.
Harvey G. Harper, Harvey M.’s son, continued to run the business from his 20s, and carry on the good standing of the family name in the Humboldt County community. He was well known and well-liked by all. Everyone in the entire community has a Harvey Harper story of some sort, whether it be for his philanthropy, or his kindness, or his massive auto collection that he frequently like to show off.
He has been recognized as Time-Life Automobile Dealer of the Year, Humboldt State University Man of the Year, and many other honors. Back in 2006, he was invited to show his 1927 La Salle at the world-renowned Pebble Beach Concours D’ Elegance. His car collection is impressive, consisting of Ferraris, racecars, and autos from basically every decade. The curation has been taken over by longtime Harper Motors mechanic Jim, who took over after Harvey Harper’s long-time curator, Floyd, passed away. True master mechanics in their own right, their upkeep of the collection is impressive in itself, as there are a wildly wide variety of different makes, models, and years of cars to know about.
As you walk into the first of three buildings housing the collection, you are drawn to the many photos on the wall of different ventures the Harper family has been involved in. One of the first and largest windows houses a photo of Harvey M. Harper, Harvey G. Harper, Henry Ford, and Henry Ford II all laughing and shaking hands. As I understand it, the Harper Motor company is listed by Ford Motor Company as the 13th oldest Ford Dealer in the entire country and is currently celebrating 111 years in business.
This provenance is obvious and apparent as you walk from room to room and visually digest all that lays before you. A smorgasbord of vehicles. One of my favorites is an early model Ford Pinto painted in Grabber Blue with 67 original miles on it. Yes, you read that number correctly. 67.
There are early 1900s electric vehicles with candle-powered headlights and flower vases in the carriage. There are full-size and midget racecars with their own impressive histories. A Dino Ferrari sits next to a Testarossa, dream cars of any ’80s or ’90s kid like me. In yet another wing of the first building there are even restored tractors. A beautiful Ford 9N among many others.
On the Northeast side of the building there is a large portion of the floor-to-ceiling windows boarded up, and when I asked about it, Jim told me that someone had recently crashed into the building through the windows into the walls inside. Luckily there was not major damage to the collection, mostly cosmetic, and mostly already repaired by Jim and the crew.
I myself have toured the collection before, as I have been deeply involved with the car community here locally for many years, however I am truly honored to be able to still appreciate, and also to share, the gorgeous collection created by Mr. Harper. I hope this continues to shed light on the importance of telling automotive stories such as this, because it helps preserve history. It helps us to remember. To not forget. To continue to appreciate pathways paved for us, or by us.
Trevor Harper, great-grandson of Harvey M., still runs the company, and the location of the Harper Motors dealership is a staple in the local community. My family and I have bought and sold many, many cars there over the years, and will continue to do so due to the friendly nature of the establishment and their long-time employees.
Thanks for reading, and go drive something! ~ Jeff Willis
