Press Release

New Hamburg, Ontario -- A bright red 1968 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 with just 42,143 actual miles on the odometer, and a 1939 Indian “4” Model motorcycle, also bright red, are the expected headliners in Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd.’s online-only Toys, Motorcycles & Automobilia auction slated for Saturday, December 9th, starting promptly at 9 am Eastern time.

The 383-lot auction features the late Howard Meyer Legacy Collection, with categories that include toys, militaria, petroliana, soda advertising, motorcycles, cars and automobilia. “If one word encompasses the late Howie Meyer and his collection, that word would be ‘fun’,” said Ethan Miller of Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd. “This great sale was a lifetime in the making.”

“From his coveted 1939 Indian ‘4’ motorcycle to his rare Canadian 1968 Chevelle 396, to his many other ‘toys’ big and small, there is something cool around every corner of the Howard Meyer collection,” Miller said. “His collecting interests ranged from the mid-to-late 20th century. Toy-wise, he amassed a fabulous collection of tin litho and pressed steel cars, trucks and planes.”

Themes include Disney, ice cream, Western, space and robots, New York, advertising, and TV comic characters. “Howie’s interests also included World Wars I and II propaganda posters and World War II anti-Axis paraphernalia,” Miller added. “From his pinball machines to his gigantic 8-lane slot car track, to his pair of midget racers, there’s a ‘wow’ factor in every direction.”

The 1968 Chevelle SS convertible was Howie’s pride and joy and contains the coveted 396 hp 4-bbl Turbo Jet V8 engine. It was one of only 108 produced for sale in Canada, having been built at the Oshawa plant and sold new in Port Hope, Ontario. The car’s convertible top and the black vinyl interior are both original.

Features of the car include a 4-speed manual wide-ratio transmission (enhanced with a Muncie shifter), power steering, a folding top power lift, body side accent stripe, heavy-duty front and rear suspension, rear axle positraction, tachometer and clock, a rear auxiliary speaker and an Aurora design BT-2 Bluetooth stereo. This rare, desirable car should bring $80,000-$90,000.

All estimates quoted are in Canadian dollars.

Many consider the Indian "4" the Duesenberg of motorcycles. Built by the Indian Motorcycle Company from 1928 to 1942, the Indian "4" is named because of its signature four-cylinder engine. It was the luxury offering of the company and was made to fly. It boasts a 1,265 cc F-head engine in its Scout frame. Roughly 5,000 Indian 4 motorcycles were made over 15 years.

The bike was professionally restored over 35 years ago. This motorcycle and the 1953 Indian Chief Roadmaster, also in the sale, were prominently displayed at the Indian Cafe in Toronto. Howie purchased the motorcycles from the cafe's owner, Fuss Cooper. The Indian “4” has a significant scratch with paint loss on top of the gas tank, but still should hit $70,000-$75,000.

The monumental, 8-lane, 1:24 scale Arcade slot car track, made from laminated wood in Toronto in the 1970s, is a custom-built, 684 square foot (38 inches by 18 inches) masterpiece. It’s quite possibly the largest slot car track in all of Canada and has a surefire “wow” factor. The track is working well, although some pieces require service. The set has an estimate of $9,000-$12,000.

A Coca-Cola Vendo 44 vending machine (Canadian, 1950s), is made from painted steel with chrome trim and is expected to bring $4,000-$6,000. The Vendo 44 is popular among collectors for its slim profile and attractive styling. This one, 57 ½ inches tall and all-original, including the distributor decal, was built for The Vendo Company, Kansas City, Mo., by Vendorlator Mfg Co.

A Texaco Service Station double-sided porcelain sign (Canadian, 1950s), six feet in diameter, with excellent color and gloss, has an estimate of $3,500-$5,000. One side is in fine condition, with five minor pea-sized

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