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Cars cruise into New Lothrop
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Saturday, July 26, 2008 11:12 PM EDT
Argus-Press Photo by Anthony Cepak Rick Blanchard of Fenton and his grandson Jordan Martinson, 8, pass a crowd of people as they cruise down Main Street New Lothrop in his 1927 Ford T-Bucket during the annual New Lothrop car show Saturday.
NEW LOTHROP - The sun was shining in New Lothrop Saturday, but there was still the roar of thunder.
More than 200 classic cars lined Main Street downtown for the 19th annual Car Show. Hundreds of car enthusiasts from all over Shiawassee County ogled at classics from a 1969 mint green Pontiac GTO to a 1928 blue Dodge Brothers Sedan. Muscle cars sat in with vintage roadsters and speedway dragsters.
A few stood out, like last year's “best in show,” 1958 charcoal and silver Corvette Roadster convertible.
“I first got her for my 21st birthday in March 1958,” original owner Jack Pape said. “I paid $99 a month, even though I was only making $57 a week at the time.”
Pape, of Saginaw, said he was very proud of the award he received last year but winning car shows was never his intention.
“I rolled it over in August 1958 and had it stored away from 1972 until 1993,” Pape said. “It took me three years to restore it and now I show it off wherever I can.”
As a retired General Motors machine operator, Pape said he knew how to restore the vehicle and keep it running smoothly. The car is 50 years old but only has 60,000 miles on it, he said.
Looking to challenge Pape for this year's award was Owosso resident Roger Gaynor with his 1957 modified Chevrolet Bel-Air.
“It's an ex-drag car,” Gaynor said. “It has a Monte Carlo roof, 496 horsepower, and it's all steel except for the fiberglass front.”
Gaynor is a residential remodeler who has been restoring hot rods his entire life. However, Saturday marked the first car show in which he showed off one of his own vehicles.
Car show coordinator Carolyn Sandoval pegged Gaynor's classic to win the award this year.
“When I saw it, I just got chills,” Sandoval said. “It's really beautiful.”
Admiring the classic cars was not the only thing residents could enjoy, Sandoval said.
Various events filled the day like a community breakfast, a kids tractor pull contest, putt-putt golf and karaoke.
“We've had an excellent turnout,” Sandoval said. “(The show) is meant to be here. We're tucked away in a little corner in Shiawassee and this event really helps to bring a spotlight to New Lothrop.”
Sandoval said many things were already being planned for an even bigger 20th annual show.
“Next year it's going to be huge,” Sandoval said. “I want us to have a parade and carnival. My goal would be for us to be the king of car shows.”
- Contact Nathan Bruttell at 725-5136 extension 231 or nbruttellarguspress@gmail.com
alexis martinson wrote on Jul 28, 2008 5:46 PM: