CLARK takes over a five-year Clipper restoration

CLARK Material Handling Company has brought a 1959 CLARK Clipper forklift from Nebraska to its Lexington, Kentucky, factory to finish a restoration documented for five years on YouTube by Allan Harpham. The company plans to return the completed machine to Harpham, turning a stalled personal project into a factory-backed revival of a vintage CLARK truck.

Why it matters: - The project ties CLARK’s product history to a vintage machine that has been visible to restoration fans online for years. - The company is using its factory resources to finish a repair that was paused by Harpham’s health issue. - CLARK plans to return the restored forklift to the creator who documented the rebuild.

What happened: - CLARK Material Handling Company moved a 1959 CLARK Clipper forklift to its Lexington, Kentucky, factory. - Nebraska creator Allan Harpham had documented the restoration for five years on his YouTube channel, Harpham’s Restoration. - CLARK’s marketing team discovered the project, began following the channel and exchanged correspondence with Harpham for several months. - Harpham had nearly completed the Clipper when the truck started, ran briefly, stalled and would not restart. - A health issue later forced Harpham to scale back work on the restoration. - CLARK President and CEO Chuck Moratz and Senior Vice President Bob Martinolli decided the company should finish the restoration. - CLARK sent a truck to Nebraska to pick up the forklift and bring it to the factory.

The details: - Factory technicians are now working to return the Clipper to running condition. - CLARK expects to deliver the completed machine back to Harpham. - Moratz said the truck is part of CLARK’s story and that the company wanted to bring it home, finish the work and give it back running. - Harpham said he could not believe someone wanted to do that for him. - CLARK says the effort connects its product legacy with the independent restorers who keep vintage equipment in public view. - CLARK was founded by the inventor of the first gasoline-powered industrial truck in 1917. - North American manufacturing and operations include the company’s Lexington facilities. - CLARK says it manufactures one of the industry’s broadest forklift lineups and supports customers through a global dealer network.

Between the lines: - The restoration is both a goodwill gesture and a branding moment for CLARK, placing a modern factory team inside a story that already had an audience. - The move also helps preserve a rare piece of industrial history while reinforcing CLARK’s identity as a long-running equipment maker.

What’s next: - CLARK will return the finished Clipper to Harpham. - The company will announce timing for delivery and any public reveal of the factory work when the truck is ready. - More information is available at CLARK Material Handling Company.