Cape car auction carries on after founder's death

On Saturday, Smith’s Auction Co. will hold its annual Spring Collector Classic Car Auction at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau. But one person will be noticeably absent.

Sherm Smith of Dexter, Missouri, founded Smith Auction Co. LLC in 1993, and since 1994, he had brought his car auction to Cape Girardeau and the Show Me Center every year.

Before founding his auction company, Smith was publisher of the Stoddard County News, Dexter Daily Statesman and the Dunklin Democrat. He left publishing to pursue his passion for classic cars.

Sherm Smith Sr.

Smith got hooked on cool cars in high school and drove and restored classic cars throughout his life.

“He always had a car in the garage,” his son Sherm Smith Jr. said. “When he left the newspaper, he started a car-restoration company.”

Sherm Smith Sr. died Feb. 18, but the auction carries on.

Smith Auction Co. LLC remains a family-owned company. Sherm Smith Jr. is overseeing the business. His younger brother, Taylor, assists.

Sherm Smith Jr. said they look forward to the big event, although their father’s absence will be felt.

A 1931 Ford Model A is on display at the 2014 Smith’s Spring Collector Classic Car Auction.Fred Lynch ~ flynch@semissourian.com

“It will be tough,” he said.

Now it its 22nd year, the Spring Collector Classic Car Auction will continue as scheduled.

“This is what he wanted. He was proud of it,” Sherm Smith Jr. said.

Not only an auction, Sherm Smith Jr. said the event is “a great car show” as well. The high-energy event will feature at least 175 cars priced between $6,000 and $100,000.

The cars come from individual consignors, he said, and people travel from all over the Midwest to attend the show. The auction will feature old scooters, tin toys, memorabilia and gas pumps in addition to the car auction.

It’s a family event, full of nostalgia, Sherm Smith Jr. said.

“Everyone remembers their dad’s first car,” he said. “Everyone can relate.”

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