Wis. Man Loses Classic Cars with Damage Estimates of $100,000 to Flood

Many property owners suffered large losses in the June 2008 flooding event in southern Wisconsin.

But few lost a fleet.

James Pritzlaff’s collection of classic cars is still under about 4 feet of water that overflowed from Lower Genesee Lake.

The former teacher estimates the damage at about $100,000. He says the biggest loss is his cherished 1939 BMW.

Pritzlaff started his collection in 1982 with a 1948 Lincoln Continental. It includes a dozen classic cars and one antique tractor.

But when Pritzlaff looks down from the balcony of his hobby shop in the town of Summit now, all he can see are the roofs poking through the water like large lily pads.