The Return of a Classic

Eight months and $32,000 later, Forell added the impressively restored classic to his fleet.

Eight months and $32,000 later, Forell added the impressively restored classic to his fleet.

Every young  man dreams about his first set of wheels For some men this dream never fades.

Such was the case with Charles Forell. His first car, a 1953 Chevy touring car was a faded memory of his past. But when the increased business of his livery service demanded the addition of another vehicle, Forell vowed to make that dream a reality.

Originally, Forell had abandoned the vehicle, which he purchased for $100 in 1972, in a tree grove on the family farm. Later the car was given away. “I began looking for the car in September of 1989. After numerous phone calls and about two months, the car was tracked down about 30 miles away in yet another tree grove,” Forell explains.

The car hardly resembled the classic image Forell remembered. It had no engine, the interior was trashed, and the exterior was covered with graffiti. Eight months and $32,000 later, Forell had an impressive addition to his fleet.

After numerous phone calls and a two-month search, Charles Forell of Forell Limousine Service in Pierre, SD, found the 1953 Chevy touring car he used to drive in high school abandoned in a tree grove.

The Chevy is now equipped with a new 350 engine, updated power train, automatic transmission, power brakes, new drive line, sunroof, color TV, VCR, stereo, intercom, privacy divider, and velvet seating for eight.

The classic beauty rents for $50 an hour in the Pierre,

SD-area and is used mainly for weddings, anniversaries, and proms.

“I carry before and after pictures with me to show it was an original stretch, but most people find it very hard to believe it’s the same car,” he adds.