1948 Chevy Stylemaster

Overview

In 2010, retired Dubuque Police Officer Mark Kisting donated his 1948 Chevy Stylemaster sedan to the City of Dubuque. The vehicle resembled a Dubuque Police Department Accident Prevention vehicle of era. Kisting owned the vehicle for many years and displayed it in parades while he was an active member of the police department, but it was placed in storage prior to his retirement.

Upon the city's acquisition of the vehicle it was in need of significant restoration. Interested individuals formed the Save the '48 Committee to raise funds to refurbish the vehicle, with the goal of having it completed in time to celebrate the police department's 175th anniversary in 2012.

Two local car enthusiasts, Vernon "Butch" Klein and Wayne Klein, generously agreed to donate their labor to restore this time piece. Several local individuals and businesses also made significant donations of time, expertise, and financial support.
  		Save the 48 logo.JPG 
 

Photos
A picture is worth a thousand words! The restoration process of the 1948 Chevy Stylemaster has been documented through photos, from the day it was unloaded off of a tow truck through completion. View photos that show the condition of the vehicle and how work progressed. 

Photos from 08-30-2010               Photos from 02-08-2012
Photos from 02-21-2011               Photos from 05-25-2012 
Photos from 07-22-2011               Photos from 07-25-2012
Photos from 10-11-2011               Photos from 08-06-2012
Photos from 12-12-2011               Photos from 08-10-2012
Photos from 12-27-2011               Photos from 10-11-2012
Photos from 02-06-2012		 1.jpg

Videos
The restored '48 was first displayed at the police department's 175th anniversary open house on September 29, 2012. View the video (coverage of the '48 begins at the 21:16 mark).

The restoration process was documented by CityChannel Dubuque. View the video.
 

Recognition
Save the '48 Committee members owe thanks to many people for making the restoration possible, however restoration of the '48 would not have been possible without contributions from the following individuals and businesses:
  • AIH Chrome
  • Buddy’s Clubhouse
  • Butch Klein
  • Dubuque Auxiliary Police
  • Dubuque Police Protective Association
  • Dubuque Racing Association/Mystique Casino 
  • Duehr Auto Body (Tony Duehr & Jim “Dude” Klein)
  • Herbst Upholstery
  • Roeder Brothers
  • The Barn
  • Tri-State Quality Metals
  • Wayne Klein
A banner recognizing a complete list of donors will be displayed with the vehicle to honor the donors. View the banner.
 

Fundraising Events
The Save the '48 Committee held events and sponsored activities to help raise funds to support restoration of the car, including a burger night, a chili-cookoff at the Dubuque Law Enforcement Center, a steak fry, a raffle for the right to park in Chief Dalsing's parking spot, t-shirt sales, a rib dinner, and more. The committee put in a lot of work to make this project a reality but also had a lot of fun in the process!
  

Steak fry dinners at The Barn

The Save the '48 Committee sponsored a steak fry at The Barn in Sherrill, IA, on 03-13-2011. Those that attended were treated to a delicious meal and had a great time socializing. They also had the opportunity to participate in a raffle and a silent auction for donated prizes.  A second steak fry was held on 04-21-2012, which provided supporters with another great meal and the opportunity to help raise some of the final funds needed for restoration.

Barbecued rib dinners at Buddy's Clubhouse

The committee sponsored a barbecued rib dinner at Buddy's Clubhouse on 07-25-2011. The capacity crowd enjoyed a delicious barbecued rib meal and had a chance in a 50/50 raffle.  The committee also had a second barbecued rib dinner on 06-03-2012, the final fundraising meal to help Save the '48.
  		Save the '48 Committee members at The Barn.

Awards

The '48 was entered into the Main Street Cruisers car show held at the Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens on Sunday, July 14, 2013.  There were approximately 125 cars on display, with the '48 being in the 1900-1949 Restored Original division.

The '48 placed second in the division and also won a People's Choice award sponsored by NAPA Auto Parts.

Pictured at right is Captain Kevin Klein with the People's Choice trophy (left) and second place 1900-1949 Restored Original trophy (right).		 Captain Klein with two trophies.
The '48 was also entered into the Main Street Cruisers 25th annual "Sunday in the Park" car show on Sunday, July 13, 2014.  There were approximately 149 vehicles on display at the Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens.

The '48 placed first in the 1900-1949 Restored Original division.  Pictured at right is Captain Klein holding the 48's latest trophy.		   Main St Cruisers Show 07-13-14