RSS | Print | Comments | Tell a Friend | Larger Text | Smaller Text | Bookmark and Share

Local News

Friday, June 19, 2009

Mustang carries memories
Home Savings and Loan Co.
By J. STEVEN DILLON

STAFF WRITER

OTTAWA -- Phil Higley doesn't have to look far for memories of his father, the late Serge "Adam" Higley.

Phil Higley has a mint condition 1965 Ford Mustang parked in his mother's garage east of Ottawa to help him recall his dad, who died in 2004.

"We restored and sold a lot of cars over the years, but the Mustang was one of his favorites," Higley says of the "rangoon" red convertible which appropriately has an "Our Dad" front license plate.

"He was always a big Ford guy."

Weather permitting, Higley plans to drive the 289-cubic-inch, V-8 car about 20 miles east to the Classic Memories Car Show at Findlay's Owens Community College on Saturday.

Classic Memories, now in its fourth year, is open to all makes and models of cars, trucks and motorcycles.

This year's show, which runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., is dedicated to longtime Flag City Classics car club member Bill Woolley, who died in October. Woolley's truck is expected to be among several hundred on display at the show.

Higley said he likes to show off his dad's Mustang, which he inherited in 2005, whenever he can.

The Higleys have long been partial to Fords in general, and Mustangs in particular.

His grandfather was one of the top Ford salesmen in the country in the 1920s, selling hundreds of Model As and Model Ts from a dealership in Townwood, a small village east of Leipsic.

Serge Higley, in turn, grew up around cars and always favored Fords, Serge's wife Mabel recalled.

While raising a family of five children and working for 40 years at Weather Seal in Ottawa, Serge found time to run "Mustang Corral," first in Townwood, then behind the family home when the Higleys moved to rural property east of Ottawa in the 1970s.

Through Mustang Corral, Serge sold parts, mostly for early Fords and, of course, Mustangs.

"It was just a hobby, but it was something he really loved doing," Mabel Higley said.

While Serge Higley helped restore lots of vehicles over the years, he was most proud of three cars -- a 1931 Model A five-window coupe, a 1935 Ford five-window coupe, and the 1965 Mustang.

The Mustang was first acquired by the Higleys in Findlay in the 1970s and has remained in the family ever since, with the exception of a short period of time in 1999.

Serge had started the restoration but sold the car to his oldest son, Raymond, who lived in Georgia. Raymond ended up selling it to a man who planned to finish the restoration and show it, but wound up putting it on the market due to an illness.

On a trip to visit his son in Georgia, Serge Higley spotted a Mustang for sale and decided to buy it.

It wasn't until he got it back to his shop that he discovered it was the same car he had earlier sold his son.

"Rangoon red was a pretty common color for Mustangs that year so he didn't think anything about it at first," Phil Higley said. "At some point, he was doing some body work on it and recognized some of his own work."

"At that point, he knew it was the same car."

Phil Higley helped his dad finish the restoration by 2002, but by then his father's health was on the decline. Serge was only able to show the vehicle once, at a parade in Kalida.

Phil Higley, who also owns a 1966 Mustang coupe, said he never expected to end up with his dad's Mustang.

His father had asked him once about owning the convertible, but Higley said he never counted on it, especially after differences arose between him and his dad.

After Serge died in December 2004, the will was read. In it, the 1931 and 1935 vehicles were left to Phil's siblings. The Mustang was bequeathed to Phil.

"It surprised me," Higley said. "Even though we had our differences, my dad knew the only person who loved that car more than he did was me."

Since inheriting the car, Higley has taken it to several major car shows.

It won a first place in the "occasional street driven" category of the Mustang Club of America's grand national in Youngstown in 2005.

And last year, Higley took a second in the same class in the Mustang Club of Ohio's annual statewide show in Dublin.

The car was also featured in the January issue of "Mustang Times."

Higley said he has been offered more than $21,000 for the car, but said he can't yet imagine parting with the family gem.

His mom, who lives nearby, has offered her son a spot for the Mustang in her garage for "as long as he needs it."

"There's still just too many memories attached to it," Phil Higley said. "Besides, my wife (Bonnie) says if I ever sell the car, I go with it."

Dillon: 419-427-8423,

Send an e-mail to Steve Dillon
Comment on This Story
NOTE: Comment moderation has been enabled. If you see a comment that violates our Electronic User Agreement, please e-mail rebeccaconklin@thecourier.com. Thank you. If you are having problems viewing this Web page, please contact our Internet Department to help us diagnose and correct the problem. We may contact you for more information. Thanks in advance.
Your e-mail address will not be displayed on this website or shared with anyone. It is used by our online editor for contacting purposes.
Comments are moderated by The Courier according to its Electronic User Agreement within one business day. Comments that slander others or include language that violates the agreement will be rejected. All comments that impart opinion and information are welcome.
   MULTIMEDIA
Flood Solutions Audio

MITIGATION: Possible flood projects for Findlay were presented in a public meeting Monday at Winebrenner Seminary.

Audio


Stories


Conceptual Plans


Technical Maps


Flood Portal

RESOURCES: At the flood portal you can find news stories, photos, multimedia, community features and updated river levels.

   VIRTUAL VILLAGE
Orange & Black Attack

OILERS: Follow University of Findlay sports with Brian Lester.


Far Flung Guest Book

DROP A LINE: Whether you're always here or just passing through, visit and sign our online Guest Book on the Far Flung blog.


Virtual Village
   PHOTO GALLERY
Randy's Seen

IMAGE BLOG: Go behind the scenes with Courier photographer Randy Roberts.


You can purchase photographs from The Courier through our easy-to-use online system. Get prints, mousepads, T-shirts and more!

   LOCAL NEWS
  LATEST COMMENTS Last 10 comments submitted by our readers...
adam wrote in article "Village patrols may be restored in future":
concerned
“ i totally agree with you! when you call them nothing happens (unless you have a little bit of pot). I called police on a passed... ” Read More...
11/20/2009 3:21:12 PM
adam wrote in article "Corn dust bothers elevator neighbor":
grain
“ hey if you dont like the problems caused by this you should move. Otherwise shut up and count your blessings that YOU have a pla... ” Read More...
11/20/2009 3:15:05 PM
adam wrote in article "Two charged after robbery":
pizza
“ you would be amazing sometimes the ammount they carry. Sometimes its a whole nights woth of working that they gota payback. ” Read More...
11/20/2009 3:10:23 PM
TG wrote in article "Village patrols may be restored in future":
Capt. Treece
“ Why don't you put your money where your mouth is Capt. Treece. Bring out those numbers. The correct ones. I bet you make almo... ” Read More...
11/20/2009 2:52:23 PM
Chilli wrote in article "Extra enforcement slated for Saturday due to big game":
Extra Enforcement
“ I always wonder why they tell the public what roads are choosen for patrols. Can't the drunk driver just go another route? ” Read More...
11/20/2009 2:48:36 PM
james wrote in article "Village patrols may be restored in future":
buddies
“ Thats not the way we see it ,,if you retire and can and do ,,,move on,, We the people of this county do not approve of this pra... ” Read More...
11/20/2009 2:01:31 PM
Get Real wrote in article "Two charged after robbery":
Why is this thug on the street anyway?
“ I believe if you review some history, this creep robbed a pizza driver in August of 2007 two years ago and was involved in a st... ” Read More...
11/20/2009 1:35:27 PM
Scott wrote in article "Two charged after robbery":
Robbery
“ While I agree with most of Cathy Schulte's comments, I don't agree with, "Good of her to fight back." How stupid would it be to... ” Read More...
11/20/2009 1:28:20 PM
JP wrote in article "Corn dust bothers elevator neighbor":
Grains, trains and automobiles
“ I live in North Baltimore, a pitching wedge from the grain elevator and a chip shot from the CSX main line.

It IS dustier he... ” Read More...
11/20/2009 11:44:07 AM
Cathy Schulte wrote in article "Two charged after robbery":
Robbery
“ How dumb ! How much could money a pizza delivery person have? To risk prision for any amount is crazy,but to rob a person of cha... ” Read More...
11/20/2009 11:34:18 AM
  U.S. Headlines
  World News
  Ohio News
News Briefs Work scheduled on Findlay streets
Findlay's Main Street, northbound, will be reduced at times to one lane between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. for waterline connection.

Main Street will not be accessible from East Lincoln Street. Lincoln Street will be closed to through traffic from South Main Street to South Blanchard Street from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for continued improvement work. Access to local businesses and residents only will be maintained.

Recount planned in trustee's race
OTTAWA -- After certifying election results on Wednesday, the Putnam County Board of Elections has announced a recount will be required for the Union Township trustee race, according to Deputy Director Shelly Burkhart.

The recount will be completed on Wednesday at the county elections board office, 336 E. Main Street, Ottawa.

Incumbent Daniel R. Ellerbrock has secured his position on the board, earning 685 votes. However the remaining trustee spot will require a recount as Gery P. Wurth earned 598 votes and Mark J. Kahle collected 601 votes, according to official results.

An automatic recount is necessary if the margin is within one-half of 1 percent of total votes cast, according to state law.

Road to be closed
Forest Lake Drive, between Marion Township 237 and Indian Lake Drive/Forest Lane, will be closed today for a pipe installation.

The road is expected to open by 5 p.m., weather permitting.

Motorists are advised to use Township 242.