Vannin' Home Forums General Discussion Readers Rides 1974 Emerald Express

As some of you know I bought this van and had it shipped to Wisconsin on July 3rd. Inside the van were two boxes of trophies, that week I cleaned them and fixed the loose one's that were falling apart. Anyways today I organized them in order by date etc, then I wrote down where they were from. I guess I like the history too. For those that don't know it was originally owned by Larry Warner of Biglerville P.A.. He bought the van bone stock in 1974, then around 1975 sometime it was completed. Larry did a lot of shows with this van along the east coast etc. From what I hear this was his baby, true it may not have been to a lot of vanning events as he primarily wanted to build a show van. But it's a survivor with 54,000 original miles on her now. Larry passed away on Feb 26th 2008. Wayne Krout then bought the van after Larry's passing, Wayne also passed away in 2010. To settle the estate is came up for sale on Craigslist at which point Scott Kauffman bought it and cared for it. I thought it would be interesting to post the info on the trophies. If anyone else remembers this van feel free to share any info with me. I'm hoping to get to some vanning events, it's truly a time capsule and I'm loving it.

*1974 Emerald Express Awards and trophies*

1-Class Winner, 3rd annual Baltimore World of Vans Baltimore, MD 1977

2-2nd annual Hampton World of Wheels 1978

3-9th annual Salem-Roanoke World of Wheels 1978

4-10th annual Roanoke World of Wheels class winner

5-13th annual Hershey World of Wheels

6-21st annual World of Wheels Southeastern divisional Finale Washington DC 1978. 3rd place

7-Best interior early Chevy/GMC Susq, Valley van show n' shine

8-Best exterior early Chevy/GMC Susq, Valley van show n' shine

9-14th annual Hershey World of Wheels class winner 1978

10-15th annual Hershey World of Wheels class winner

11-Unknown trophy dated 1979 "no plate"

12-1st Penna-Custom vehicle show Nov 22,23,24,25 1979 participant

13-22nd annual Washington DC World of Wheels 1979

14-5th annual Van, Truck & Off Road show, Baltimore 1979

15-ISCA trophy "no plate"

16-20th annual World of Wheels Harrisburg - Hershey PA

17-Susquehanna Valley Van Show "Mid Chevy" 2nd place 1983

Very cool!

I really would like to know the history of the Highway Bully in a way, as you got it for your van.

Sadly, the only I know about is the story of it's first show-life from 1991 to 1999, which was told to me by the first german owner. But not of special events, only overall description. And nothing I know about for the time between the frist owner and me.

So, congratulations about your van and it's history.

Killer van and with a history to match. Now it is your turn to keep the legacy going and getting your first trophy with it. Man that will be so cooooool!!!!!!!!!!!!






Richard

Thanks Richard! I actually went to a show a few weeks ago and won a trophy. Took a nice 31 mile trip out of town and parked the van. Everyone loved it, I was in the 1970-1989 modified class. They had no truck or van class. Hoping to get her to some vanning events in the future.

Beautiful van and I like the history you have found out about it. Did Larry Warner do the paint work? The trophies are quite impressive. Did the van show up in any of the vanning magazines back in the 70s and 80s?

From the info I have from Scott Kauffman who owned the van before me Larry's friend painted it. He has also passed on. The only magazine's I know of that it was in are newer one's, "Rolling Heavy" and "Old Cars Weekly" According to Larry's wife he always wanted the van in a magazine back in the day. I know the van was a major hit on the east coast, Larry retired from that scene sometime in the early 80's. Last trophy I have is from 1983.

Just read the article on Old Cars Weekly, very nice write-up. I see this van was from the York, PA area. Could this have possibly been painted by Harold Harnish?