A meticulously restored 1911 Pope-Hartford Model W, believed to be one of only eight such vehicles remaining worldwide, was destroyed in the Old Trail fire that swept through Spokane, Washington, in August.

Don Poffenroth, the former founder of Dry Fly Distilling, owned the rare automobile. He had purchased the car after his retirement and kept it alongside a 1911 Ford Model T he acquired about a decade prior. Both vehicles were lost when the wildfire consumed his entire cul-de-sac.

"It's devastating," Poffenroth told The Spokane Review. "I feel like I didn't take care of it. Nothing in my control, obviously, but after it lasted this long, I'm deeply saddened."

Poffenroth is an active member of the Horseless Carriage Club of America, an organization dedicated to preserving automobiles manufactured before 1916. The Pope Manufacturing Co. produced fewer than 700 vehicles in 1911, making the Model W a particularly scarce find. Poffenroth's car had undergone a full restoration in the 1970s and had been maintained in excellent condition since.

The Model W was characterized as a high-luxury vehicle for its time, capable of reaching speeds up to 60 mph and possessing a large fuel tank that allowed for approximately 300 miles of travel before refueling. Poffenroth had intended to use the four-cylinder, 50-horsepower touring car for a cross-country trip from Seattle to Philadelphia.

The Old Trail fire, which began on August 1st, spread rapidly across the Spokane River and into Poffenroth's residential area. Driven by strong winds and extreme heat, the fire became one of Washington state's most destructive, consuming over 600 structures.

Just four weeks prior to the fire, Poffenroth had reportedly replaced the car's speedometer and other internal parts. He noted that the antique car community often collaborates to find or fabricate replacement parts for vintage models.

Members of the antique car community have offered Poffenroth support. "We made parts together, we manufactured together," he said. "When anyone started a project, it would circulate – I made these parts; who wants some?"

Following the loss, Poffenroth shared on social media that he was "holding cherished remains for other restorers." He has received messages of sympathy and suggestions for new vehicles from people across the country. "One thing about this whole fire thing is my faith in humanity has been restored to a great degree. People have been wonderful," Poffenroth commented.