Trudy and Her Father’s Ford

This year, as the Vintage Car Club of Holland prepares our annual calendar, we’re taking a personal approach. Beyond showcasing the cars, we’re meeting our members at beloved Holland landmarks, capturing both their vehicles and the stories behind them.

One of our favorite visits so far has been with Dave and Trudy at Tunnel Park. Trudy’s 1949 Ford Custom Woody is more than just a classic—it’s a living part of her family’s history. Her father, Charles Boerema, purchased the car brand new to transport his wife Gertrude and their six children: Bert, Coral, Chuck, Trudy, Christine, and Flossie. Remarkably, Trudy still has the original sales receipt.

That Woody became the family’s vessel for adventure. Each year, it carried the whole clan of eight on road trips—into the bustle of Chicago, or north to Mackinaw City for camping. Everyone fit, three rows full, often with Bert’s harmonica leading singalongs that filled the car with music and laughter.

In time, the car passed from Charles to his son Chuck, then to Chuck’s son, before eventually sitting idle for two decades. Finally, it returned to Trudy. She describes the experience of driving the manual transmission as almost like going back to driving school again—a new challenge wrapped in old memories.

Meeting Dave and Trudy reminded us why this hobby is so much more than sheet metal and chrome. Every car carries a family’s story, and every mile preserves the laughter, songs, and journeys of the past.