LARRY & CAROL PUMPHREY
Pinnacle Award Collectors
It all started with a “Getaway Car.” In 2005 the Pumphreys’ daughter asked whether they could have a classic car take her and her husband on the wedding send-off. Larry and Carol gladly complied and found a local gentleman with a black 1941 Cadillac sedan that would chauffeur the newlyweds on their wedding day. During a lull at the reception, Larry went out to take a closer look at the car and talk with the owner.
Larry was very impressed with the big Cadillac and asked the owner where he too might buy a pre-war Cadillac. The owner, who owned several pre-war classic cars, told Larry if he “really wanted to buy the best car, buy a Packard.” A week later Larry bought his first Packard, a 1938 Limousine. And so began a journey that led to the couple’s becoming one of the premier collectors of 1937 12-cylinder Packards in the country.
Larry and Carol found their first Packard listed for sale in Cincinnati in a Hemmings magazine. Their experience buying and selling farm equipment came in handy. Larry enjoyed the Packard and began reading everything he could find about the company and the cars that were the dominant luxury vehicles of the first half of the 20th century. The company’s slogan, “Ask the man who owns one,” came into play as Larry spoke with other Packard owners and learned more about the cars.
He quickly learned that many thought the ultimate pre-war Packards were the 1937 Packard 12s. Only 1,300 Packard V-12s were produced in 1937, which was the highest production year for any of the 12-cylinder cars. The beautiful styling of the 1937 Packards, with the raked back front grill, rear-hinged doors and mechanical upgrades, including independent front suspension and four-wheel hydraulic brakes, really set them apart. Larry owns several 1937 Packards now, four of which will be on display at the 2024 Hilton Head Island Concours.
The cars on display at Hilton Head this year are a crème Convertible Victoria which just came out of restoration, a larger green 4-door Convertible Sedan that won an award at the 2018 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, a maroon Convertible Coupe and black Town Car with a foldable leather driver’s roof: one of only two built, and believed to be the only one left in the world.
Larry and Carol both grew up in Greensburg, Indiana, where they still live today. They met in first grade, and their first date was when they were 11 years old. They went on a double date with Larry’s older brother in his Ford Model A. The Pumphrey family are proud of being seventh-generation Indiana farmers. They both grew up on working farms in Greensburg. Together the couple started Ag Production Enterprises in 1978 to manage Carol’s family farm. They grew the business over time to become a significant producer of corn, soybeans and pigs. Their son now runs the business, giving Larry and Carol more time to spend with their cars!
The Pumphreys have been very active in the Indiana Region of The Classic Car Club of America (CCCA) for many years. Carol served as the CCCA Regional Director for Indiana, while Larry contributed many articles in the club’s newsletter, “The Hoosier Horn.” They both participate in many annual car events, where they bring their cars, head up committees and volunteer. They helped grow this region into one of the most active in the country. Their favorite activity of the CCCA is participating in “Caravans,” which are driving tours organized by local regions. Club members drive their pre-war Full Classic cars. These tours range from four-day mini-caravans to multi-week events. Some of the club’s caravans have as many as 70 cars, all built between 1915 and 1948.
Larry and Carol have driven on caravans all over the United States and Canada. Their favorite caravan was in 2013, when they drove from Times Square in New York City to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. They drove their 1937 seven-passenger Packard 12 on that event, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Lincoln Highway. They covered over 4,400 miles in three weeks, with no mechanical problems on the entire trip.
The Pumphreys have made great friends all over the world through the CCCA caravans and other car club events. Although they have shown their cars at several of the most prestigious concours in the country, they enjoy simply driving their Packard out for an ice cream date near home.
There is a saying among car people: “Come for the cars, stay for the people.” Larry and Carol Pumphrey epitomize that passionate and infectious enthusiasm for people and their cars. For all these reasons, the Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance is proud to honor Larry and Carol Pumphrey with the 2024 Pinnacle Award.
Pinnacle Award Collectors
It all started with a “Getaway Car.” In 2005 the Pumphreys’ daughter asked whether they could have a classic car take her and her husband on the wedding send-off. Larry and Carol gladly complied and found a local gentleman with a black 1941 Cadillac sedan that would chauffeur the newlyweds on their wedding day. During a lull at the reception, Larry went out to take a closer look at the car and talk with the owner.
Larry was very impressed with the big Cadillac and asked the owner where he too might buy a pre-war Cadillac. The owner, who owned several pre-war classic cars, told Larry if he “really wanted to buy the best car, buy a Packard.” A week later Larry bought his first Packard, a 1938 Limousine. And so began a journey that led to the couple’s becoming one of the premier collectors of 1937 12-cylinder Packards in the country.
Larry and Carol found their first Packard listed for sale in Cincinnati in a Hemmings magazine. Their experience buying and selling farm equipment came in handy. Larry enjoyed the Packard and began reading everything he could find about the company and the cars that were the dominant luxury vehicles of the first half of the 20th century. The company’s slogan, “Ask the man who owns one,” came into play as Larry spoke with other Packard owners and learned more about the cars.
He quickly learned that many thought the ultimate pre-war Packards were the 1937 Packard 12s. Only 1,300 Packard V-12s were produced in 1937, which was the highest production year for any of the 12-cylinder cars. The beautiful styling of the 1937 Packards, with the raked back front grill, rear-hinged doors and mechanical upgrades, including independent front suspension and four-wheel hydraulic brakes, really set them apart. Larry owns several 1937 Packards now, four of which will be on display at the 2024 Hilton Head Island Concours.
The cars on display at Hilton Head this year are a crème Convertible Victoria which just came out of restoration, a larger green 4-door Convertible Sedan that won an award at the 2018 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, a maroon Convertible Coupe and black Town Car with a foldable leather driver’s roof: one of only two built, and believed to be the only one left in the world.
Larry and Carol both grew up in Greensburg, Indiana, where they still live today. They met in first grade, and their first date was when they were 11 years old. They went on a double date with Larry’s older brother in his Ford Model A. The Pumphrey family are proud of being seventh-generation Indiana farmers. They both grew up on working farms in Greensburg. Together the couple started Ag Production Enterprises in 1978 to manage Carol’s family farm. They grew the business over time to become a significant producer of corn, soybeans and pigs. Their son now runs the business, giving Larry and Carol more time to spend with their cars!
The Pumphreys have been very active in the Indiana Region of The Classic Car Club of America (CCCA) for many years. Carol served as the CCCA Regional Director for Indiana, while Larry contributed many articles in the club’s newsletter, “The Hoosier Horn.” They both participate in many annual car events, where they bring their cars, head up committees and volunteer. They helped grow this region into one of the most active in the country. Their favorite activity of the CCCA is participating in “Caravans,” which are driving tours organized by local regions. Club members drive their pre-war Full Classic cars. These tours range from four-day mini-caravans to multi-week events. Some of the club’s caravans have as many as 70 cars, all built between 1915 and 1948.
Larry and Carol have driven on caravans all over the United States and Canada. Their favorite caravan was in 2013, when they drove from Times Square in New York City to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. They drove their 1937 seven-passenger Packard 12 on that event, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Lincoln Highway. They covered over 4,400 miles in three weeks, with no mechanical problems on the entire trip.
The Pumphreys have made great friends all over the world through the CCCA caravans and other car club events. Although they have shown their cars at several of the most prestigious concours in the country, they enjoy simply driving their Packard out for an ice cream date near home.
There is a saying among car people: “Come for the cars, stay for the people.” Larry and Carol Pumphrey epitomize that passionate and infectious enthusiasm for people and their cars. For all these reasons, the Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance is proud to honor Larry and Carol Pumphrey with the 2024 Pinnacle Award.
