ON THE MOVE INDIANA STATE FAIR Indiana is known for many things, including being a hot bed of transportation. Yes, we all know the familiar race roar of May when the Indy 500 rolls around, but it doesn’t stop there. Auto passion and manufacturing have been a staple of the Hoosier State for decades, going back to the storied days of Auburn, Cord, Duesenberg, Studebaker and countless others. Fast forward to today, and many modern brands have factories scattered throughout the charming countryside, cranking out the latest high-tech cars and trucks. Classics are big too, with Mecum Auctions’ Spring Classic being a well-loved annual occasion along with numerous other shows, cruises and events. MATT AVERY Matt is the Executive Producer and host of the On the Move podcast. He was a repair technician for both BMW and Mercedes- Benz before acquiring a B.S. Degree in Film and moving into automotive journalism. He wrote for the TV show MotorWeek, was the senior video producer for the Cars.com editorial team and served on the Board of Directors for the Midwest Automotive Media Association. Matt’s latest book “COPO” is the authoritative guide to Chevy’s ultimate muscle cars. In 2020, Matt was recognized and awarded by SEMA as a rising young star within the automotive industry, making the coveted “35 Under 35 List.” With such an emphasis on homebred horsepower and innovation, this year’s Indiana State Fair threw a special celebration of Indiana’s automotive excellence. Part of the nearly month-long festivities included spotlighting vintage vehicles with close ties to the area. One of those was a 1948 Jeep Willys that harkened to the state’s deep agricultural roots. Nicknamed the “Nellie Belle,” this rugged, retro 4x4 was part tractor, part workhorse, being fitted with a slew of tools and accessories to do more than work the land. Up front, and impossible to miss, was a bucket loader, its green support structure bolted right to the front bumper and chassis. This would be just the ticket for moving large piles of dirt, gravel, hay and more around any rural homestead. Its raising and lowering hydraulic piston was operated via a power take-off unit (PTO), which also powered a unique attachment at the rear: a two-person chainsaw. Also around back was a three-point hitch with fire plow attachment for digging ditches and the like, while on the side, there was a pulley drive. With the tire on rollers, an operator could slap on a belt and operate all kinds of additional machinery like circular saws, silo fillers, pumps and more. There was no telling whether Nellie sees any kind of regular action these days, but she looked more than ready to punch the clock or hit the trails. From the Brickyard to the back field, this year’s Indiana State Fair had displays to showcase them all, reminding the thousands of guests that the state is clearly wild about anything with wheels. 60 // MECUM.COM
