At our auctions, we often say we aren’t just selling “stuff”—we’re finding new chapters for pieces of history. But even we were blown away by the update we received back in 2023 regarding a certain vintage beauty. A story we just had to share again on our blog.
The Lorene Raburn Estate Find
Back in 2021, we held an auction for the Lorene Raburn estate in Cambridge, NE. Among the treasures was a classic 1963 Ford Thunderbird. It had that iconic “Bullet Bird” silhouette, but it had been sitting for a while, waiting for someone with the vision to bring it back to life.
That “someone” turned out to be Bill Steinhour. While Bill lived in Virginia at the time, he’s a McCook native who clearly hasn’t lost his Nebraska grit or his love for classic American iron.
A Labor of Love
Restoring a vehicle that has been stationary for years is no small feat. It requires patience, a lot of late nights in the garage, and a deep appreciation for 1960s engineering. Bill spent the last couple of years doing exactly that—turning wrenches and reviving the roar of that T-Bird engine.
Most people might be hesitant to take a freshly restored 60-year-old car on a long haul. Not Bill.
Destination: Washington D.C.
Once he got it running smoothly, Bill didn’t just take it for a spin around the block—he drove it straight into the heart of Washington D.C. He sent us some incredible photos of the Thunderbird parked with the nation’s most iconic monuments in the background. Seeing a car that started its journey in a small-town Nebraska garage now gleaming in front of the U.S. Capitol is exactly why we love what we do.
Why We Love the “After” Stories
As auctioneers, we see items at a specific moment in time—usually when they are moving from one hand to the next. Getting to see the “After” is a rare treat. It’s a testament to the quality of the items our sellers entrust to us and the passion of the buyers who attend our sales.
Do you have an “Auction Rescue” story? Whether it’s a piece of furniture you refinished or a classic car you got back on the road, we’d love to see it! Send us your photos or tag us in your posts.
