Charles Arnholm – VAE President 1961

President in 1961 – Barre, Vermont

Charles Arnholm 1926 Mercedes Model K, Short Coupled Touring
Charles in one of his favorite automobiles, a 1926 Mercedes Model K, Short Coupled Touring, which was supercharged.

Charlie was known for his interest in the unusual and sometimes bizarre automobiles. He operated a body repair facility on the Barre-Montpelier Road where one was compelled to stop and check out his latest acquisition or creation.

Some of his favorite cars were a 1940 Buick Brewster Town Car which earned a “Best in Show” at Pebble Beach, a 1929 PI Springfield Rolls Speedster which he resurrected from being a manure spreader in 1960 (best damn spreader that farm ever had!), and a 1929 Pierce Arrow Speedster made from a sedan.

He also owned a speedster made from an American LaFrance fire engine by Gael Boardman, among many others. Note that “speedster” seems to appear often in the descriptions of Charlie’s cars.