Page 155 - South Mississippi Living - October, 2019

W story by Kelsey Sunderman-Foster photos by Cameron’s Auto Photography
ith a name like Hugo Reverse, a passion for automotive engineering is more than fitting. Hugo
and his wife Doris Penny-Reverse share a beautiful home and acreage in Vancleave, but the metal
building on the property is the main event.
^ Hugo Reverse and Doris Penny-Reverse
When the Reverses bought the property, the metal building actually functioned as
a stable for horses, dirt floor and all. Hugo made some modifications to make it car- ready, including pouring a foundation and adding onto the side of the building.
Even with the addition, the shop is slammed full of cars and various antiques. From vintage signs to steam laundry irons, a carousel horse, and even a diffused WWII bomb, every surface of the building is covered from floor to ceiling with unique and interesting items that Hugo and Doris have collected over the years.
“It’s not uncommon for us to load up a trailer at the drop of a hat and drive across the country to pick up a car,” Doris said. “We have a great time on our trips, and I especially enjoy stopping into the antique shops and picking up ‘rusty old gold’ where ever we go.”
The two met through Doris’ mother,
who was a realtor. “I was looking for an antebellum home and came into Doris’ mom’s office to look through her listings,” Hugo said. “I never bought an antebellum home, but I did meet Doris.”
One of the first items in Hugo’s car collection was a 1920s Dodge Brothers touring vehicle that was purchased out of Chicago. “Because it was the first, I don’t know if I’ll ever part with it,” Hugo said. The car will be 100 years old in January and has a very interesting feature: a skeleton key.
The rest of the collection is a revolving door of sorts. With limited space, Hugo has to be very picky about what he keeps and what he sells. “My collection is always changing,” he said. “Sometimes I’ll trade one of my cars for another, or sell one to make room for one I’ve purchased.” >>
> The rst car in Hugo’s collection, a 1920s Dodge Brothers touring vehicle.
October 2019 • SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living 155