I think it’s great that there are high schools still around that teach some type of automotive classes. My former high school dropped the automotive classes entirely. I couldn’t believe when I read this article that there was a high school that taught auto body repair. Freedom High School students in Freedom, Wisconsin are restoring a rare 1967 Mohs Ostentatienne Opera Sedan built by Bruce Baldwin Mohs, founder of the Mohs Seaplane Corp.
This article courtesy of the Post Crescent in Wisconsin.
Freedom High School auto body class helping restore rare 1967 Mohs Ostentatienne Opera Sedan
By Sharon Hanuszczak-Froberg • Post-Crescent East editor • March 13, 2009
FREEDOM — Technology education instructor Jay Abitz doesn’t usually have many visitors stop by the shop area at Freedom High School to check on auto repair projects.
But since word got out that students in his advanced auto body class are restoring a 1967 Mohs Ostentatienne Opera Sedan, Abitz has noticed an increase in visits from faculty and students.
“When this first came in, I had at least 100 people come in and say, ‘What is this thing?’” he said. “From the front, it looks like a Rolls Royce. From the back, it looks like a spaceship.”
Made by Bruce Baldwin Mohs, founder of the Mohs Seaplane Corp. in Madison, the Mohs Opera Sedan featured nitrogen-filled tires, a truck engine and solid-steel side rails designed to protect passengers during a crash.
The car, which weighed 5,740 pounds, had only one door, which was built into the fastback roof and opened upward in the rear as steps swung down. It could be ordered to include oriental rugs and refrigerators.
“He sold one or two … so they’re basically prototypes,” Abitz said.
Abitz met Mohs through a former automotive instructor in Shawano two years ago. When he was approached six months ago about restoring the vehicle so it could be featured in the Iola car show this summer, Abitz agreed.
“The feature in Iola this year is independent automakers,” he said. “One of (Mohs’) dreams is to see this thing restored.”
Restoring the Mohs sedan has been a challenge for Abitz’s class. The car has several tennis- and softball-size holes due to rust. The bottom half of both side panels had to be cut off and replaced because they were rusted beyond repair.
Abitz said students began working on the car in late January and hope to have the paint and body restoration project completed by the middle of the month so the problems with the car’s vinyl and carpeting can be dealt with.
The restored car will be the highlight of the high school’s auto show scheduled for May 8.
Students are looking forward to seeing the finished product.
“We can go and say, ‘Yeah, we did the body work on that. We painted it. We prepped it,’” said senior Matt Haberland, who has been doing the welding on the car. “It’s a good experience.”
Classmate Ricky Smits, who restores cars as a hobby, said working on the Mohs sedan is an experience he won’t soon forget.
“I want to get pictures of it and put it in a book so I can look at it when I’m 50 years old,” said Smits, a senior.
13 responses so far ↓
1 AutoBuyNow! » Auto Resources Posts // Mar 28, 2009 at 6:05 am
[...] * We’re not sure what’s more unbelievable: the fact that an American high school still has its auto shop class, or the fact that a high school auto shop class has been entrusted with the restoration of a 1967 Mohs Ostentatienne opera sedan. But that’s the case in Freedom, Wisconsin, and the Freedom High School auto shop class hopes to have the restoration complete for its auto show in early May. (via) [...]
2 Cecil Collett // Jun 15, 2009 at 4:26 pm
I have been besotted by Mohs cars since I saw a blurry picture of these cantankerous machines in a book on cars my aunt got me for my 12th birthday - alas there are hardly any pics of them on the Internet - I would love to see more pics and info - it would really make me happy! Please!!!
3 Jay Abitz // Jan 6, 2010 at 9:45 am
I have all of the pictures before, during, and after the restoration. Contact me, I would be glad to share!
4 Classic Car Fan // Jan 28, 2010 at 2:39 pm
The Mohs Ostentatienne sure is one of those ugly duckling types. Sure has a lot of character.
This is a great story. I saw some pictures of them working on the car but haven’t found anything finished yet. Any updates to the story, where is the car now?
5 Steve // Jan 28, 2010 at 4:44 pm
Stay tuned, I have all of the restoration pictures from beginning to end. Plus some other interesting documents!
6 Hemmings Auto Blogs » Blog Archive » Four-Links – micro Crosley engine, high schoolers restoring Mohs, a Road Runner van?, a front-wheel-drive tracked motorcycle? // Feb 9, 2010 at 12:34 pm
[...] * We’re not sure what’s more unbelievable: the fact that an American high school still has its auto shop class, or the fact that a high school auto shop class has been entrusted with the restoration of a 1967 Mohs Ostentatienne opera sedan. But that’s the case in Freedom, Wisconsin, and the Freedom High School auto shop class hopes to have the restoration complete for its auto show in early May. (via) [...]
7 cecil collett // Mar 15, 2010 at 6:52 pm
I am absolutely falling in love with the Mohs - I am ahuge fan of eccentric cars forever collecting info and pictures on Citroen DS, Iso, Panhard 24 bt, Tatras, Monteverdis, etc. But the Mohs is proving to the most elusive. There simply aren’t any decent pictures of this rare beauty. She needs to be featured in Classic & Sportscar - a full spread - if not maybe you guys should do a proper photoshoot of the fully restored car, and some shots featuring the car driving (if it can) or some of the interior. I’ve spent hours surfing the net looking for the Mohs. A never -to-be-repeated act of bravery.
8 Steve // Mar 15, 2010 at 9:42 pm
Cecil,
Follow along with the restoration on here and I promise we’ll eventually get to the finished pictures.
9 Robert // Apr 1, 2010 at 10:08 pm
Back when I was an adolescent, I went to the Hersey Nationals with my brother-in-law. We stopped for a break along the way and there was a crowd around a trailered car. Oddest thing I ever saw, yup, it was the gold Mohs. Somewhere, I have photos I took of it.
10 Kenny // Sep 13, 2010 at 9:06 pm
Bruce Mohs had a restaurant in Wisconsin. I stopped by with my family and met Bruce he had a museum on the property had a Oscar Meyer wiener wagon, Tom Mix car, he was friends with Howard Huges had his car and a bunch of stuff from Spruce Goose and many other cool items. I think he also invented a bike like the Wizzer. We were the only ones there so he gave us a personal tour afterward, he took us outsde and gave my son a ride on a ferris wheel he made for his daughter. This was in the70s. Does anyone know about his Museum or anything else. Is Mr Mohs still running the place in Wisc Please e mail me. Thanks
11 Steve // Sep 15, 2010 at 10:10 pm
Thanks for all of the great comments!
12 Bob // Oct 24, 2011 at 10:51 am
Back in 2004, I saw Bruce Baldwin Mohs name mentioned in the back of a book of car manufacturers…. it caught my eye because it said he was in wisconsin. I decided to try to contact Mr. Mohs andname was lucky enough to setup A chance to meet him in person and visit his home and see many of the amazing things he had. With the replica battleship in the line of his front yard
13 Bob // Oct 24, 2011 at 10:59 am
Back in 2004, I saw Bruce Baldwin Mohs name mentioned in the back of a book of car manufacturers…. it caught my eye because it said he was in wisconsin. I decided to try to contact Mr. Mohs andname was lucky enough to setup A chance to meet him in person and visit his home and see many of the amazing things he had. With the replica battleship in the lawn of his front yard, I knew I was in for something very special. Mister mohs gave myself and my 2 friends a tour if his buildings in which he stored some fantastic things… including a giant scooter, the hide from a lion he got during a safari and of course, the opera. car. It was amazing…. and to hear the story of a it from the man himself was something I will never forget. He was very cool and welcoming to talk to and I can only hope I may have the chance to meet him again someday.
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