Allen Becker has been a collector as far back as he can remember, following the footsteps of his dad, his mother and his wife. He doesn’t specialize in anything; if something interests him, he probably collects it. Along with small collectibles, such as stamps and coins, he also collects larger items, like antique engines and tractors.
In March 2022, Kenny Van de Water (one of his sons-in-law) asked Allen if he wanted to go see some old engines in Ozona, Texas, 175 miles northwest of Boerne, where Allen lives. Kenny didn’t have to ask twice. Brian Mauldin, Allen’s grandson, and friend Marvil Lee Agold were also invited. They went in Kenny’s pickup pulling a 28-foot goose-neck trailer —just in case. In Ozona they found an engine collector’s heaven — a large warehouse filled with 30-plus engines in various conditions. Some needed work, others were fully restored. All were collectible. The engines deemed to be in poorer
