Oodles of Doodle Bug fans return
Webster City plays host to 22nd annual reunionBy HANS MADSEN, Messenger staff writer
Article Photos
WEBSTER CITY - Among the pictures from previous Doodle Bug reunions hanging on the wall above a row of the small red scooters once built in Webster City is a copy of an article from the Cleveland News dating from June, 5 1947.
The headline reads: ''How to ride 200 miles on one gallon of gas.''
Below that, an article extolling the virtues of the then recently introduced Doodle Bug scooter.
Now, more than 60 years later, collectors of the small machines are gathered at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds for the 22nd annual National Doodle Bug Club of America reunion - along with about 60 of the machines - to swap stories, pick up a few parts, ride their machines a bit and enjoy the company of other collectors.
Cliff Wendt, of Menomonie, Wis., came to the reunion with an extensive collection of newly made parts he manufactures for other collectors. He has several of the machines himself and said he does his work for the love of the Doodle Bugs, not the money.
He also has an interesting story about his first one.
When he was 13, he managed to save up $40 to purchase a machine from a private party.
''I had the money in a fruit jar,'' he said.
When the seller refused the offer, he went home and complained to his mother who sent him to the local Gambles Hardware store which sold the scooters new.
''I gave the store my $40 then $5 a month until it was paid for,'' he said. ''That was in 1949.''
Getting a brand new machine also afforded him an opportunity he would have missed with the used machine.
''I was able to go down to the Gambles store and help take it out of the crate,'' he said.
Vern Radcliff, of Webster City, had a Doodle Bug in his youth.
''Had one when I was 14,'' he said, before chuckling a bit. ''That was a long time ago.''
He rode the scooter four miles to and from school until the weather got too cold. Riding the scooter saved him time - though not to sleep a bit more.
''I had more time for chores,'' he said.
Bill Moore, of Mason City, explained a bit of the history behind the scooters. They were built by Bean Manufacturing in Webster City. Production began in 1946, ceasing in 1948. The machines were sold through the Gambles Hardware Store chain and carried the Hiawatha brand on their sides. They were designed to provide cheap local transportation after World War II when new vehicles of any sort were simply not available.
The first block of 10,000 scooters sold for $69.95 with the price going up until they eventually were selling for $169.95.
''That kind of slowed people a bit,'' he said.
They have gone up a bit in value. Several scooters for sale at the reunion carried price tags well above $5,000.
Dan Johnson, of Boxholm, brought his grandson, Parker Garcia, 5, to look at the scooters and maybe get him a ride on one.
''I had one when I was a kid,'' he said, ''I'm trying to share some memories.''
Toni and Jimmy Dotson, of Dow, Ill., have recently gotten the Doodle Bug bug. Toni Dotson took her first ride on one of the machines Saturday with husband Jimmy piloting.
''Now I understand why they like them so much,'' she said.
For Jimmy, the event was a chance to treat himself with some birthday money.
''I got a seat cover, gas tank and the Doodle Bug Bible,'' he said.
Many of the collectors have childhood memories of the machines or perhaps recall wanting one. John Cox, of Kearney, Mo., has a sign in his shop that sums it up for his own collection of half a dozen machines: ''It's never too late to have a happy childhood,'' he said.
Bob Blin, of Marion, had set up shop at the reunion where he was working to swap engines on a machine. Owner of Bob's Small Engine Repair, he works on the machines and also makes some of the parts. He does offer some advice to the collector.
''The hobbyist should learn to do it themselves,'' he said. ''When the pro does it, it'll cost him a fortune, yes, a fortune, an arm and a leg and their first born,'' he said.
Contact Hans Madsen at (515) 573-2141 or hmadsen@messengernews.net
|
VTwinJim
|
|
|---|---|
|
09-17-08 11:02 PM
|
What a Great story. Keep up the great job.
|