Flood Victim

The One That Almost Got Away.

- Arvid Svendsen

The first brand-new car Randy Herzog ever bought was a 1967 Pontiac GTO with the 400ci, 335hp engine and a four-speed transmission. He would only have a few months to enjoy the car before being drafted by Uncle Sam and heading to Vietnam. (Thank you, Randy, for your service.) 

Randy survived his two years of duty, but his GTO did not do as well. Suffice it to say that the GTO was damaged beyond repair while in the care of a family member. For Randy, returning home in June 1969 was certainly a happy experience, though with a twinge of sadness as he began life without the GTO. Immediate employment in his father Bill’s newly formed construction company and his marriage to Mary shifted his priorities drastically.

In the mid 70's, brothers Randy and Stan Herzog began to pursue their muscle car interests. They acquired the featured Montero Red 1966 Pontiac Catalina post car, which was equipped from the factory with the 421 H.O. Tri-power engine rated at 376 hp. Both Randy and Stan were aware of the car’s reputation as a brawler when original owner Butch Greer would cruise the streets of St. Joseph, Missouri. Butch’s fiancée, Elaine, had told him that he could order any car he wanted as long as it had bench seats. Butch masterfully checked all the right boxes on the big Catalina, right down to the AM/FM radio and eight-lug wheels. Elaine was so happy with the Pontiac that she stayed married to him for 50 years—and counting.

A few years after being acquired, the Catalina was joined in the Herzog stable by a Bolero Red 1967 Chevelle SS, a 427-powered car that Randy found in Virginia. Once home with the Chevelle, Randy and Stan decided to pick a car each and build individual collections. Randy picked the Catalina; Stan went with the Chevelle.