Keels & Wheels Concours d’Elegance is proud to honor Evelyn Timmins as this year’s Collector of the Year—a recognition that celebrates not only an extraordinary collection of pre-war automobiles, but also a lifetime of devotion, partnership, preservation, and generosity within the antique car community.

To know Evelyn Timmins as a collector is to understand that her journey into the hobby did not begin with a lifelong fascination for automobiles. In fact, by her own account, she “was never into cars.” That changed through her life with her husband, Tom, whose deep love for old automobiles gradually became a shared passion and, ultimately, a defining part of their life together. Over the years, what began with a single purchase became an eclectic and unforgettable collection of rare and unusual pre-war cars—many of them marques unfamiliar even to seasoned enthusiasts.

Their first collector car, purchased in 1995 at the Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg auction in Auburn, Indiana, was a 1931 Auburn seven-passenger sedan. At the time, Evelyn did not envision a “collection” in the making. But as Tom’s enthusiasm deepened, so did the couple’s shared life in the hobby. The family fishing boat was eventually sold to fund the purchase of a second car, a 1929 Auburn Cabriolet, and from there the Timmins collection continued to grow in its own distinctive direction.

If one word best describes the Timmins collection, Evelyn says it is “eclectic.” That is no understatement. Rather than chasing the obvious blue-chip classics, Tom was drawn to the unusual, the overlooked, and the historically fascinating. Evelyn recalls that many visitors, upon seeing the collection, would remark that they had never even heard of most of the cars. Tom liked it that way. He was not a “gotta have a Duesenberg” collector. As Evelyn put it, “give me a Dort!” That love of the uncommon became one of the collection’s defining qualities and one of its greatest charms.

Among the many cars with memorable stories, two stand out especially. One is the couple’s 1920 Packard Twin Six, a grand touring automobile that Evelyn loved because it was, in her words, “a big car where I can wear a big hat and sit like a lady.” The other is the remarkable 1913 Trumbull, a rare cyclecar with a story that connects automotive history to world history. Evelyn recounts how Isaac Trumbull, believing England would be the ideal market for his small economy car, set sail in 1915 with hopes of securing orders overseas—only to perish aboard the Lusitania when it was torpedoed off the Irish coast. The survival of a Trumbull today makes the car more than an antique; it is a rolling historical artifact.

For Evelyn and Tom, collecting was never just about ownership. It was about use, fellowship, and the joy of sharing. Touring, showing, restoring, and traveling became part of the fabric of their marriage. Tom handled the mechanical and restoration work, often doing everything short of painting in the early years. Evelyn helped clean, organize, plan trips, reserve lodging, care for the dogs, pack supplies, and do whatever needed doing to keep the adventure going. Together, they built not only a collection, but a life.

And what a life it was. Their travels took them across the country on tours, rallies, and concours events, always surrounded by the camaraderie of fellow enthusiasts. Evelyn remembers the antique car world as a place of extraordinary kindness and cooperation. If they ever pulled over with trouble, it would not be long before several people gathered around the car, diagnosing the problem and pitching in to help. That spirit of mutual support became one of the great joys of the hobby for both of them.

Among all the events they attended, one stood apart: Keels & Wheels. Evelyn says it was the one event they never missed. She believes they began attending around the second year, and now, at the 30th anniversary, her connection to the event remains deeply personal. Even after Tom’s passing, Evelyn continued bringing cars to the show, with help from the Keels & Wheels family. That perseverance speaks volumes about her loyalty, her strength, and her belief in the importance of carrying forward what she and Tom built together.

Tom himself clearly left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him. Evelyn describes him as a “super people person,” someone who loved talking with others about the hobby and who would do anything to help. He delighted in reviving old machinery, in finding unusual cars, and in seeing others enjoy them. Whether helping a neighbor celebrate a birthday with a ride in a seven-passenger antique or using one of his cars to make a wedding day special in exchange for a charitable donation, Tom lived the hobby with generosity and heart.

Today, Evelyn sees herself as owner, caretaker, and historian all at once. She loves telling the stories behind the cars, and those stories are inseparable from the story of her life with Tom. The collection represents more than machinery or milestones. It represents shared happiness, hard work, companionship, discovery, and memory. It represents long roads, laughter, setbacks, friendships, and the beauty of preserving pieces of the past for others to enjoy.

When asked what she hopes people remember about her and Tom as collectors, Evelyn’s answer is simple and deeply moving: that they were “just plain folks enjoying a wonderful hobby together,” and that they were always glad to share the stories and the cars with others.

That spirit is exactly why Evelyn Timmins is such a worthy Collector of the Year.

Her collection is remarkable. Her stewardship is admirable. But above all, her story reminds us that the greatest collections are never just about the cars. They are about the lives built around them, the people who keep them alive, and the love that gives them meaning.

Congratulations, Evelyn Timmins—Collector of the Year.

On April 3, 2026 I had the privilege of visiting with Evelyn Timmins, the 2026 Keels and Wheels Collector of the Year, at her home outside of Houston, Texas.  I was able to go out to the barn and see the 14 cars that make up The Timmins Collection. They range in age from 1907 to 1934 and they ALL have a story that goes along with them! She was kind enough to share some of her stories and experiences with us in the interview below.

Mike McGagh

Director, Keels and Wheels

About the collection-

1. How did you and your husband first become interested in pre-war automobiles?

I was never into cars. My father bought me one so I could take over driving my mom to grocery shop. I dated Tom from January 24 to February 6, 1967 (2 weeks) when we got engaged.. . Both being in graduate school at Indiana University, we really did not talk about our lives much; we were both serious students. I did not know of his pleasure in being with old cars until later in our lives when he felt he could spend some time of his own on his hobby. It was easy for me to fall in love with the pre-war cars Tom preferred since I was into war stories from having grown up in Holland and heard them all my life. The only car in our lives after grad school then was his VW Squareback. He took me to learn how to drive, on an uphill road in front of some construction, not exactly good for a first lesson in stick shift driving. But Tom and the construction crew got their chuckles that day and I really never drove one again until recently when I decided I would drive that 1934 Packard stick shift if it killed me.

2. Do you remember the first car you bought together for the collection?

It was in 1995 at the ACD auction in Auburn, Indiana. A friend told him he ought to go there.  We went with nothing really planned, except to pick up his mother in Dayton and take her with us. An Auburn senator thought he should buy an Auburn since he represented them, but when he bought another one,  his wife “suggested” he sell one. We bought it: a 1931 Auburn 7-passenger sedan, often used by airlines to take clients to the planes. There certainly was no “collection” in mind, at least not mine.

3. What drew the two of you specifically to pre-war cars rather than newer classics?

Sometimes, things just happen. We never actually talked about cars; there were no car magazines in my house, (unlike the boxes full now),  we did not even go to car shows . I did ask him about that, and he said he always loved cars and spent a lot of time at Mel’s gas station in West Milton, Ohio, where he grew up. But with education, finding a job, and then caring for 2 children, he knew there really was no money for selfish interests. It was easy for me to concur since I had no interest in cars growing up.

4. How would you describe the personality of your collection?

In one word, “eclectic.” Every time Tom found a new car project, I had to learn all about it since I usually had never heard of it. Others over the years have also commented when seeing the “collection,” “most of these cars I have never heard of.”

5. Which automobile in the collection has the most meaningful story behind it?

A couple, but for quite different reasons. We are the third owners of the 1920 Packard Twin Six, a 106 year old!  Edgar Didion, who installed the heating and AC at the U of H, originally.bought a 1919, and they loved it so much, he bought his wife the 1920. Then the Caseys bought it and then Tom and I did. It met my need for a “big car where I can wear a big hat and sit like a lady.” Most of our earlier cars were 2 seaters and we were not small people, so we were always crowded. It was our most comfortable on tours.

The other is the story behind the 1913 Trumbull from the Trumbull Co. in Connecticut.

The Trumbull is a cycle car and never gained popularity in America. Tom knew I did not like clutches, so he got me a friction drive car “like your lawnmower.”

Isaac Trumbull, from Connecticut, believed in his car and set out to find a better market for it. Because of England’s better roads and the popularity of the small car there, he believed the future of his car was in English auto dealerships.   In early 1915, barely into the  3rd year of production, he made arrangements and booked passage for England for himself and about 20 of his Trumbull cars. He was going to close a deal for 300 orders. On May 7th, 1915,  within view of the Irish coast, a German U-boat torpedoed the Lusitania. Isaac Trumbull died along with his dream of a popularly priced economy car. In 2015, the best guess was there were about five Trumbulls still running.

About your life together in the hobby-

6. How did collecting and showing cars become part of your life as a couple?

It basically became our life together.  We never used the Grady White boat he used for fishing. He sold it to buy the second car, the 1929 Auburn Cabriolet. The 1931 had nothing else he wanted or needed to fix except a new paint job and he was not into that yet. We joined the regional AACA club when we bought the first Auburn. Ultimately, we also joined the Horseless Carriage Club in Dallas since we had gone on some of their tours and they did that regularly whereas the local AACA did not. 

7. What did traveling to shows and rallies together mean to the two of you?

The people and tours were wonderful! I really miss that. When we took people with us, they were often really struck by the friendliness of the car people, and also their willingness to help each other.  If we pulled over with a problem, it was not 5 minutes later that there were 5 heads above the motor telling Tom what the problem was and pitching in to help. Tom learned a lot from these exchanges and ultimately was also able to help others; one of the AACA members even taught him how to make castings of parts he could not find. The sharing was beautiful.

8. Did each of you have different roles when it came to buying, restoring, showing, or maintaining the cars?

I offered opinions, he tried to rationalize, sometimes I paid, usually I helped clean, but he did all the restoration except the painting until later.

9. Were there any cars one of you loved immediately and the other needed convincing on?

Probably the EMF (Every Morning Fix,  but really Everett, Metzger Flanders). I do not recall how he found it, but we bought it from Carmichael, CA.  Tom told me the reason for wanting it was based on a story his mother read to him often, “Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride” from the book The Wind in the Willows, He said the car was probably really a Mercedes, but it looked like the EMF where the driver seat was lower and the frog’s friends could sit in the back but be high enough to see over the frog. I hired a painter at a K&W show once (Lisa Daniels) and she painted it; Her signature included a small frog, scarf flying in the air.

10. What did a typical show or rally trip look like for the two of you?

We sometimes just went sightseeing, but when we took a tour with other clubs, we would have 2-3 or even more days. Tom prepped the car(s) , lined up potentially needed tools, and I made reservations, reserved care for the dogs, packed the bags and promised snacks, etc. Once we were not prepared for the cold. Most of our cars on tour did not have windows, so I remember Tom used a bath mat that he put on his head for warmth.

About the road trips and travel-

11. What are some of your favorite memories from traveling across the country for shows and rallies?

When the Horseless Carriage Club had tours, there was usually some contest or game also. Once I won when I put the spark plugs in a motor the fastest.

There was also one where the driver was blindfolded and the wife (partner) had to tell him how to drive a course. We did that rather well. Our good friend’s wife used lots of hand and arm motions, only talking louder when he, not seeing the motions, neglected to see she was pointing left and he was going right. We all hurt from laughing so much.

12. Was there one trip that stands out as especially funny, challenging, or unforgettable?

Yes, we took the  Glidden Tour, I believe,  when it went to Malibu. We took the 1907 Rambler, huge, but very comfortable. We took all our nieces and nephews on rides in their So, Cal. neighborhood and they were thrilled.( Currently some of the nieces and husbands are into antiques, not as old as ours, but into it nonetheless.) There was a wonderful road meandering through the nearby Malibu countryside and it was perfect. All sorts of antique cars on the trip. HOWEVER, it turned out to be a favorite bypass for semis. Almost between every antique, right on their backs, was a giant semi. After what seemed eternity, we did hit a smooth, not as winding,  part of the tour without as many trucks. We were enjoying the orange groves when all of a sudden, the floor under my feet seemed to explode with parts going hither and yon! The farm workers came running, parts in their hands, asking us in Spanish,” Is this yours?” We gathered them all but were blessed by tour requirements that we have a “diaper” on our cars because the Disneyland parade did not allow oil leaks on their streets! Many parts had fallen into the aluminum diaper Tom had attached underneath. I don’t remember what it was, but Tom knew it was not an easy fix on the road with limited tools, etc., so we decided to go on home.

The really hard part was the over an hour it took for us to load the huge car on the trailer without a winch.  (Tom only had a wench.) Everyone had gone on with the tour so Tom and I pushed and blocked the wheels  every 3-4 inches. I do not remember any body pains or inability to sleep later, but I honestly do not remember anything else about that trip.

13. Did you have favorite destinations or events you returned to year after year?

We did repeat some tours, charity events, etc., near and far, but Keels & Wheels was the only one that we never missed. I think we started with #2, not sure, and here it is 30. I did manage to have his last sort of unfinished car (1911 Regal Underslung) in the 2016 one. And then, with help from Keels & Wheels folks, managed to keep several at each subsequent date.

14. What did you learn about each other through all those miles on the road?

He gets really uptight when there is a problem and because of the seating, I could not get out fast enough to suit him. He was a fabulous people-person and would do anything to help others. He learned that, in spite of being a novice, I was quite adaptable and could hold my own in being his helpmeet, even with cars.

15. Were there friendships formed through the car community that became especially important in your lives?

Definitely. Tom did a lot with Bob Fuller (the founder of Keels and Wheels), often traveling with him and Richard Mitchell to recruit at other concourse events. We both enjoyed being on the board and meeting people we otherwise would not have known. I loved buying shirts from my countrywoman, Leny, and ultimately working with her and Judy on the merchandise as well. Our friendships with the Dallas HCCA were also great and have lasted. One year I got quite a few of them here for Keels, but as with every club, we age and it is harder. Of course, the local AACA tries to send some cars annually as well..

About the cars themselves-

16.  Is there a particular car in the collection that best represents your husband’s taste?

He always liked seeing and once even driving a racecar, but I had no idea of the depth until he bought the 1911 Regal Underslung.  That was his baby. It was 95 or more percent finished when he passed away. I know he sat in it when the seat got finished, but he never had a ride in it.

17. Is there one that best represents yours?

I most liked the older open cars where I could enjoy the air and scenery better. I also like waving at people.

18. Which car always seemed to attract the most attention from other enthusiasts?

Sometimes Tom took me to Randal’s for groceries in the Auburn Cabriolet and even the little kids knew it was special and would tug on their dad’s arm to watch it as Tom put the groceries in the golf compartment (He did not play golf.). Everywhere we went in any of the cars, people hung out of their cars with cameras, honking and waving.

19. Which car gave you the greatest adventure, and which gave you the greatest headache?

Adventure: The 1907 Cartercar which was Tom’s last trip (unbeknownst to us) when we went to the Antique Car Run in Minnesota in 2015.

Headache: Rambler (tour to Malibu) See #12 answer.

20. Are there details about pre-war automobiles that you wish more people understood or appreciated?

One cannot just stop and start them at will.

Do not think the brakes are that good when you cut in on us in traffic. 

Be extra careful when you pass an antique. 

Not everything is easily replaceable when you break it.

Do not expect someone to immediately respond to desired wedding trips, etc. They need care and preparation.

Don’t lean on the light fixtures; they could be on and they are hot!

About preservation and stewardship-

21. What has it meant to care for these automobiles over so many decades?

With Tom, it was easy. He knew so much and loved doing it. I just had to clean the vehicles. Having cars that not just anyone can drive makes it hard to use them . Now they are just memories. The last 10 years were not easy. What needed what ? Who could help service them?  Tom could have and did do it all before.

22. How has your understanding of the collection changed over time?

I have always realized that people’s tastes change over time and that there would never be a real revival of the truly old cars. I also realize the importance of people in your life. Some really good friends have passed on. When one’s life partner is the center of the hobby, and he dies, what can I say?

23. Do you see yourself as owner, caretaker, or historian—or a little of all three?

Probably a bit of all three. When people come to see them, I love to tell stories. Tom loved it when I dug up stories about his cars. It made me feel good when he used my stories.

24. What responsibility comes with preserving these cars for future generations?

A lot, as I have found out over the last 10 years. Maintenance is always waiting  for you, whether you use the cars or not.

25. How did the collection evolve as your lives together evolved?

As Tom got better at what he did, he also became more discerning about  what he wanted to do. I loved watching him change ugly to beauty and be happy.

About Tom-

26. What did your husband love most about this world of old automobiles?

Mainly working on them and taking really old stuff and making it live again.

27. What was he like at shows and rallies?

Super people person; loved talking to folks about his hobby and totally committed to helping anyone.

28. Is there a story that captures his spirit especially well?

A neighbor said  someday his wife would really like a ride. Well, it was her birthday and so he offered one. His family would need the whole car but the neighbor  was especially elated when I told him I did not need to go; I only went so I could help push if something was wrong. He had several really husky sons, so that worked out well. Tom took them in the 1920 7- passenger car and they went to Dairy Queen in Alvin. By the time they got there, his daughter was talking to everyone about the car. He had told her enough on the trip where she ran with it. He told us later that his wife said it was the nicest birthday she ever had.

One of his clients asked Tom if he could possibly have an antique car take his daughter to her wedding.  Tom agreed but let him know we were not licensed to do that in Texas. He said if the man made a donation to a fund, like Cancer, or Special Olympics, etc., it would work. The man was thrilled and he made a big donation to the Cancer fund since his daughter had cancer. Things like that made Tom feel good about his hobby.

29. What do you think he would want people to understand about the collection?

That he really liked finding unusual cars, the older, the better. He loved seeing the results of his labors and the joy that others derived  from seeing his cars. He was never a “Gotta have a Duesenberg, or gotta have a Caddy” person, but give me a Dort!.

About continuing on-

30. Are there traditions the two of you started that you still carry forward?

I’ve done the biggest one: Keel & Wheels

31. What helps you decide how to preserve and share the collection now?

I have selected some to keep; others I will sell or donate to museums.

32. In what ways does the collection keep his presence alive for you?

Sometimes in more ways than I can handle. I really miss him, I miss the fabulous car people we knew and I miss the tours and shows.

About legacy

33. What do you hope people remember about you and your husband as collectors?

That we were just plain folks enjoying a wonderful hobby together and that we gladly shared stories with them and other enthusiasts, (and that Tom had a weird collection, most of which no one heard of!).

34. What do you hope happens to the collection in the future?

I would like to sell some of them and donate some to appropriate museums so they can become part of others’ lives going forward.

35. What has this journey taught you about partnership, passion, and legacy?

Life is so much better if one can find a true partner and they can together embrace a hobby, one ready to jump in full time and the other never having had any connections to antique cars, but loving it the same, maybe because of her love for him. It also makes it much worse when you are so entwined in the hobby and each other, that when one passes away the other’s loss is that much greater than if you had not shared a hobby.

36. What advice would you give to younger couples who want to build a shared life around a hobby like this?

Follow your heart (and consult your finances).  A friend once told Tom, “Never finance your hobbies.”  That was good advice. Hobbies are not often planned in advance unless they are what bound you together in the first place. 

37. When you look at the collection today, what do you feel most proud of?

The knowledge that Tom had, shared with and gained from others to enable him to preserve some pretty unusual cars. I am proud of the work he did.

38. Is there a favorite photograph, rally badge, trophy, or memento that means more to you than anything else?

Tom was very proud of “Ruby,” the ’29 Auburn Cabriolet, and he always told me that  the picture he took of me in the car, (which has stood on our dresser for close to 30 years), was his very favorite. We were not big into trophies, but I know Tom was proud when he received a Corinthian award, not for a car, but for his work in Keels & Wheels.

39. What story do you most want future generations to hear about your life together with these cars?

It made us happy, generally. Oh, there were ups and downs, flats on the road, destroyed starters, bad weather, but basically dealing with wonderful people ready to help and who enjoyed sharing your hobby. Helping make a wedding special was also fun.

40. What would your husband say if he were sitting beside you during this interview?

I am not sure, but he would have that famous smile of his!

41. What does this collection ultimately represent to you now?

Lots of good memories, not of winning prizes, but of being together, walking among the cars at a show, seeing lots of different places, talking to many fabulous people, getting dirty………