Classic Couches - Automotive Furniture in the News

Original furniture made from original cars
and equipment (not reproductions)

Unpredictable situations keep Kreuder on his toes. One of his clients is dying of a
brain degenerative disease, Kreuder said, and wants a 1964 Oldsmobile, the make he
was driven around in as a child.
And this is what makes Kreuder exceptional, he moves beyond the mechanics of the
job and financial strain to become a sort of extension to fulfill dreams and bring clients
back to a place of happy memories, often, at whatever cost.
"He decided that that's what he wanted. I never told him what it would cost. He just told
me to find one and do it." Kreuder said "I'll take it to him, but its kind of a race against
him.
"I met him five years ago and he was walking around no differnet than you or I, and this
year he's in a wheelchair and has assisted living in his home. Yeah, it's tough."
Kreuder said.
To avoid financial issues, Kreuder mainly sells the antique car couches and
memorabilia through design firms and manufactureres.
When he has extra time, it is often more time spent in the shop working on his own
cars and projects. Kreuder walks down the legth of a long pointed, black jet dragster
with a Pratt and Whitney engine from a fighter plane. It was purchased from Pueto Rico
and he said there are only about 20 of this type in the world. It can reach a speed of
330 mph.
Statistically, they're the most dangerous thing on four wheels. They have tendency to
fly." he said.
He can't wait to race it.
Last Christmas his present to himself was working on his own car.
"I really enjoy taking something and making it better. I'm beyond the point of wanting to
impress." he said.
More than 20 hours or less than five hours can be spent in the shop he wonders
where his next meal will come from. He would like to be able to look down the road with
help from a steady income for security.
"I probably live more day-to-day than I should, no complaints so far. I did a job and
waited for $15,000 for three days and meanwhile credit card bills are coming in."
Kreuder said.
"He (Smith) had run the business for 25 years. The problem with the couches and the
gas pumps is that it's a lot of money that goes through your hands to begin with. It's
always on a timeline." he said.
He's liked cars since high school and has been going to races since he was 2 1/2. His
grandfather had a couple of old cars and Kreuder found a piece of his memory of his
grandfather through the purchase of a Model T.
"I actually bought the car that was missing for 12 years and I found it and paid a lot
because it was grandpa's car. They (his family) sold the car when he passed away.
"I always remembered it and just one of those weird happenstances the car became
available. I went to look at it and it still had grandpa's title- it was his car- so I drained
my bank account and bought the car." he said.
"This is the car he put mom in the front seat and go get ice cream on Sunday
mornings. He had it from the '60s all the way into the '90s" Krueder said.
In vocational school, Kreuder worked on cars and, similiar to many high school car
enthusiasts, decked out his car with black head lights, sound systems and screens
mounted on the dashboard.
"I had a speaker that was bigger than my wheels. Apparently my taste has
progressed." he said.
"He went to McPherson College in Kansas and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in
auto restoration. Since then, he's worked on everything from Motel T's through 1960s
automobiles. Kreuder has an old soul and is not interested in working on cars made
after the mid 70s or hot rods.
Lately, he said his push is to go to the National Restaurant Show in Chicago where all
the head buyers for large chains such as McDonalds and Starbuck's go to purchese
items for their businesses and there are guaranteed buyers. He also wants to work on
cars to showcase in the competitive sphere of national car shows, such as one of his
own autos a 1930 Ford Model A.
"We've gotten the engine block to a point to where you can see the reflection of your
thumb print, it's so shiny. It took 80 hours to make the head, the top piece of the
engine, to look like that." Kreuder said
With so much success achieved at just 25, Kreuder said he wonders wher ehe will go
from here. Right now, he's happy working at the shop.
"It's beyond words." he said. "Its opened up the doors for me it's just amazing."