Meeting of Automotive Legends - As a Teen, Middleburghs Al Nippert Met The Father of the American Auto

MIDDLEBURGH - Albert Nippert did not slow down after he retired from GE. He stayed busy in the hobby he loved, buying and restoring unique antique automobiles.

The "car bug" bit Mr. Nippert early and along the way, he met one of the fathers of the machines that he loved so much.

The November 1 edition of the Schoharie Valley Rambler detailed the time when Mr. Nippert, who passed away last October 16, the day before his 88th birthday, met J. Frank Duryea, Mr. Duryea and his brother Charles drove their car, the first in the United States in 1893, about seven years years after Carl Benz drove the first the first gas-powered auto, the Benz Patent-Motorwagen, on the streets of Mannheim, Germany.

In the SV Rambler, Mr. Nippert described that meeting with Mr. Duryea in an article titled, "An exceptional opportunity as a teenager meeting, Mr. J. Frank Duryea, an unforgettable experience memories by Alan Nippert. 

"As a teenage youngster, I met Mr. Carlton Perry of Peekskill, New York. Carlton gave me a ride to the AACA meeting at BoBo LaPorta's garage in Tuckahoe. Great meeting! I was the only youngster there. It was announced that Mr. J. Frank Duryea, who invented America’s first self-propelled automobile was going to speak at the Veteran Motor Car Club (VMCCA), telling how he created America’s first automobile in 1893. Carlton and I went by train to New York City Town Tennis Club for the VMCCA meeting. 

"Mr. Duryea was guest speaker and was led onto the stage to the podium. He was 93 years old and stone blind. He told us of all the trials and tribulations creating the automobile and its first test run on the street. A wonderful, wonderful speech. When he finished his talk, James Milton yelled 'Drinks for all' and everyone scrambled for the bar set up. I stayed in my seat and couldn’t take my eyes off Mr. Duryea. He held tight to the podium. After a time I walked up onto the stage and shook Mr. Duryea's hand and said, 'Mr. Duryea, would you like to sit down?' He said, 'Yes please!' I took his hand and said, 'I will take you down off the stage to a seat. He said, 'Oh, please thank you.'

"I carefully lead him to the end of the stage and told him of the three steps down and turn left for the last three steps, then to a chair. He sat down, holding my hand and I asked my age. I told him I was 15. He said, "i cannot believe anyone your age would be interested in what I did in the last century.' I asked Carlton if he if he could get Mr. Duryea a refreshment and something to eat. 

"The three of us, Mr. Carlton Perry, myself and Mr. Duryea sat together talking about those early days of the automobile in the USA. We never met again and Mr. Duryea died shortly after. I have never forgotten this wonderful meeting with Mr. Duryea, the Father of the American Automobile."

Another article in the November 1, 2023 addition of the Schoharie Valley Rambler, the newsletter of the Schoharie Valley Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America, published an another article about Mr. Nippert.

It stated, "Another great loss for SVR. As most of you know by now, SVR member Albert Nippert passed away on October 16, 2023. His knowledge and expertise will be greatly missed. Al was almost 88 and had restored many vehicles during his lifetime. Many were very notable and superbly restored. He had Franklins, Packards, a Kissel, Cadillacs, Fords, Chryslers, and many, many more. 

"He he told me that he had purchased, repaired restored, and resold over 300 vehicles during his lifetime, including Walter P. Chrysler's personal one-off vehicle. He had chased after that vehicle for nearly 20 years to obtain it. Al became a personal friend to Bill Harrah and supplied several several vehicles to the former Harrah Museum Collection. 

"The Franklin Trek offered meetings with George Staley and other notable collectors. One of Al's first restorations first was a 1928 Franklin with jump seats that he used while dating Maureen, then became his wife for almost 60 years. 

"He encouraged John Baumgarten to start an AACA Region back in November 1990, then slipped back quietly while it grew to our current membership of nearly 100 people. He was the last current SVR Charter Member of the Schoharie Valley Region AACA.

"A career with GE as an appliance repairman downstate and a second job doing house repairs kept him busy along with several hobbies. Al repaired pocket watches and collected Zeppelin dirigible items, and model trains. He amassed quite a library of automotive books and resources publications.

"As a youngster, he had the opportunity to meet Mr. J. Frank Duryea, the father of America’s first automobile produced back in 1893...We will miss his wealth of information and knowledge.

I also met Mr. Nippert for an interview on his extensive car collection at his home near the end of Oak Meadows Road off of Route 145 (actually in the Town of Cobleskill) about 15 years ago. As the lover of old cars for many years, it was much more pleasure for me than work. Mr. Nippert proudly showed me his extensive collection. There were some cars I had never seen before or had only seen in museums. A one-cylinder Cadillac, an air-cooled Franklin and many others, "Feel the heft of this trunk!" I remember him saying about the Franklin. He wasn't an automotive snob, and had a VW Bug housed in one of his garages. For me, it was an honor for me to meet someone with such knowledge of antique and collector cars. David Avitabile.

(Thanks to the Schoharie Valley Rambler newsletter for their permission to use their articles.)