The Velie Registry of the
Horseless Carriage Club of America is planning a Centennial
Celebration of the introduction of the Velie automobile to the
public November 20, 1908.
Willard Velie, grandson of John Deere
the famous plow manufacturer, formed his own company manufacturing
carriages in 1900. His uncle and John Deere's son Charles H. Deere
had entered the automobile business in 1906 with W.E. Clark in
manufacturing the Deere automobile from 1906 - 1908. Charles died
in 1907 and the Deere organization had to decide whether or not to
continue in the automobile business or concentrate on the
agricultural business. We obviously know what they decided. The
Deere Automobile Company was sold to a group of private investors
who continued manufacturing automobiles under the name Midland
until 1913 where upon they went into bankruptcy.
This afforded an opportunity for
Willard Velie to enter the automotive field. With the expansion of
the Velie factories for automobile manufacture they introduced the
Velie 30 on November 20th 1908. This first automobile is still in
existence and owned by HCCA member John Nikodym of Red Cloud,
Nebraska. It will take part in the Centennial event in Moline,
Illinois. We have invited all Velie owners to participate in the 3
day event taking place in Moline, September 2nd, 3rd and 4th. This
is a mid-week event on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday allowing
Velie owners from across the U.S. and Canada ample time for travel
from both coasts and across the country ample time for traveling
to and from the event.
The headquarters hotel will be the
Stoney Creek Inn, 101 18th Street, Moline, IL 61265 Ph. 309
743-0101 or 800 659-2220. Mention that you are with the Velie
Centennial Celebration. Limited camper and trailer parking near
the motel. No facilities.
Owners of Velie vehicles from 1900
through 1928 are invited. Carriages, automobiles, trucks, tractors
and Velie Monocoupe airplanes are invited to attend. Participation
awards for all pre-registered owners displaying vehicles.
Early arrivals on Monday, September
1st will have an oportunity for photo ops in front of former
Velie Factory site.
Tuesday September 2nd. Again
morning photo op in front of Velie Plant Cite. Tour to Rock Island
Aresenal and visit Browning Museum. Tour to Walcott, Iowa to the
largest truck stop in the country for lunch and tour the I-80
Truck Museum. Return to host hotel to refresh for Prime Rib Dinner
cruise and entertainment aboard the Celebration Belle, largest
non-gaming river boat on the upper Mississippi River.
Wednesday September 3rd. Tour
to John Deere Harvester Works, largest combine factory in the
world, for a guided tour through the factory. Continue to Deere
& Company World Headquarters for tour of display floor.
Continue to Lavender Crest Winery for lunch and then tour of
historic Velie sites in Moline, Illinois. Evening dinner on own.
Thursday September 4th. Static
display of all entrants at the Deere Collector Center on River
Drive in Moline. Banquet at Stoney Creek Inn. Social hour 6-7 and
dinner at 7pm.
Vehicles unable to tour will have a
static display all three days the the Deere Collector Center.
In addition to the first Velie
automobile affectionately known as "Olde Maud"
attending, there will be many Velie automobiles from the years
1908 through 1928. We will also have Velie carriages and trucks
participating. At present there are no tractors or Velie Monocoupe
airplanes registered. We are still hoping.
Costs are:
First vehicle ... $75.00 additional $50.00 No vehicle $50.00
Registrants will receive participation award, historical book and
Velie logo lapel pins.
Meals:
Tuesday Dinner Cruise (Prime Rib) $42.00 per person Wednesday
Luncheon and Wine Taste $13.00 per person Thursday Awards Banquet
$26.00 per person
Checks payable to
Velie Centennial Celebration.
Mail to Registration Chairman Richard Perry, 724 - 43rd Street,
Moline, IL 61265
Meet Chairman:
Charles R. Hoaglund,
3641 - 8th Street Court,
East Moline, IL 61244
Phone (309) 755-4906
Registration deadline August 1, 2008
