So naturally, Dayton Old Engine Day was quite a thrill for him.

Stuhrenberg had a collection of engines on display at the annual event at Dayton Oak Park on Saturday, where dozens of attendees came to check out classic cars, trucks and tractors. The event was sponsored by the Dayton Community Club.

Stuhrenberg likes the challenge of getting engines to start.

“The challenge of getting them going and the sound they make,” he said. “They all make a different sound.”

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Tim Buenz, of Jefferson, holds a Chevelle SS model car next to his 1970 Chevelle during Dayton Old Engine Day on Saturday. Buenz was finally able to purchase the car a few years ago after wanting one since high school.

Growing up, Stuhrenberg’s dad wasn’t always a fan of the music he’d play. His dad preferred the sound of an engine.

“My dad used to say, ‘Now that’s music,'” Stuhrenberg said, referring to the sound of an engine.

“When I went to see him (before he passed away), I’d say, ‘You want me to start the engine and he says, ‘Yeah, that’d be good,'” Stuhrenberg said.

Stuhrenberg’s newest toy was a 1940s Jacobsen lawn mower.

“I’ve only had it a few months,” Stuhrenberg said. “It was on Facebook for sale. Thought it’d make a fun little project. Plus I’ve never seen one like it before.”

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Marcus Hanson, 3, of Dayton, smiles behind the wheel of a toy tractor during the kids pedal tractor pull at Dayton Old Engine Day on Saturday.

Stuhrenberg has been collecting engines for about 21 years.

His first engine was a 1929 International.

“That’s one you never forget,” he said.

He made the first Dayton Old Engine Day about 10 years ago, but hadn’t been back again until Saturday.

“I try to hit most of the local ones (engine shows) around,” Stuhrenberg said.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Woody, a Boston Terrier, can't help but wonder what it would be like to drive his owner's car during Dayton Old Engine Day on Saturday. His owner is Marty Delay, of Dana. Woody is sitting in a 1970 Thunderbird.

Tim Buenz, of Jefferson, cruised to the show in a 1970 Chevelle SS Tribute.

It’s a car he’s always wanted, but never could afford until about four years ago.

“It came out of a dealership in eastern Iowa,” Buenz said. “It was restored about 25 years ago in Illinois.”

His previous vehicles have been a bit more modest.

“In high school and college I drove a Pontiac Ventura I think it was,” he said. “It wasn’t a looker. Had four doors on it. A few (lucky) kids back then had GTOs that were handed down.”

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
RaeLynn Halsrud, 4, of Dayton, gives it her all during the kids pedal tractor pull during Dayton Old Engine Day on Saturday.

Buenz had been on the lookout for quite a few years for a Chevelle SS.

“I like the body style of Chevelles,” Buenz said. “When I was in high school and college, there’s no way I could afford one. I looked for years and never could find anything I could afford.”

Slowly but surely he’s been making upgrades to the car.

“I finished putting in a fuel injection,” he said. “Runs a little better. Isn’t as cold blooded. A little better than the carburetor version. It’s not a true SS. Those start at 50 grand.”

Someday he’d like to get the car repainted.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
James Varangkounh, 2, and sister, Annie, of Humboldt, have a look at a 1937 GMC p[ickup truck during Dayton Old Engine Day on Saturday.

“There’s a couple scratches and nicks in it,” Buenz said. “The factory color of the car was Cortez silver. I don’t know how close this is to that.”

A few years ago, he was able to get air conditioning in the car.

“It gets pretty warm with the black interior,” he said.

It was Buenz’s first time at Dayton Old Engine Day.

“This is perfect car show weather,” he said.

Temperatures were in the 60s with a cool breeze for the late morning/early afternoon show.

Marty Delay, of Dana, had a 1970 black Thunderbird.

He had a special guest in the passenger seat — a Boston terrier.

“I’ve had it 30 years,” Delay said. “I’ve had the dog for six. His name is Woody.”

RC Adams, of Boone, had his 1972 Dodge Dart Swinger Custom on display.

“It used to be my grandma’s,” Adams said. “When she passed, my dad inherited it. Then he passed away and I inherited it. I guess you call that three generations.”

Adams inherited the car 12 years ago.

“Nothing special but it’s original,” Adams said.

He’s been coming to Dayton Old Engine Day for about eight years.

Dwayne Wergeland, of Humboldt, drove a 2020 Dodge Challenger to the show.

“I had a ’71 Cuda and was looking for one of those, but it was three times the money,” he said. “This is a fast car but my son’s Tesla (Model 3) is faster. That will sit you back in your seat.”

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
RC Adams, of Boone, stands next to his 1972 Dodge Dart Swinger Custom during Dayton Old Engine Day on Saturday. The car has been in Adams' family for three generations.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Emmit Norman, 8, of Boone, looks over a 1961 Chevrolet Apache 10 during Dayton Old Engine Day on Saturday.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
A 1972 Ford Mustang Mach 1 sits parked with a collection of other classic cars during Dayton Old Engine Day on Saturday.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
A toy model version of a Chevelle SS sits in the trunk of Tim Buenz's 1970 Chevelle SS during Dayton Old Engine Day on Saturday.

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