If wheels could talk ...
The aqua, ’55 T-Bird convertible, a classic two-seater, really catches your eye. The proud owner tells me he bought it from a Nevada car museum. That owner told him that it had belonged to a young college coed, who sold it to finance her wedding. It had been her first car, a reward from her dad, who insisted she take high school auto shop. She did, was the only girl, and got an “A” grade. She was a California “Surfer Girl” from the hit song by the Beach Boys, and she drove the T-Bird to Malibu Beach to surf.
Then I saw the red Corvette … WOW! The current owner bought it from a private collector in Florida. It had been a graduation gift to a young man who enjoyed the female attention he drew as he drove cross-country to Pensacola, Florida for flight training school decades ago. When he bought his own plane, he sold the Corvette to an astronaut.
Somehow, these “stories” match the mystique of these classic cars, and maybe that’s the whole idea. Author David Dickson sums up why cars and shows have maintained such high popularity in America for decades. “It’s the amazing effect that the cars have on people from all walks of life. The old cars seem to bind Americans together and provide a way to connect with others that they may never get a chance to know otherwise.”
Remember those cool cars of the 1950s, ’60s and '70s? The classic ’57 Thunderbird, the Chevy Bel Air coupe, and of course, the “woodie” station wagon. Well, get out your poodle skirt and leather jackets, because the 15th Annual Edmonds Classic Car show is back in town Sunday, September 13, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The show was initially started by two car aficionados, but later the Chamber of Commerce stepped in and, with the assistance of dedicated volunteers, grew the event into one of the most popular shows in the region. “We rely a lot on community volunteers who are passionate about what they are doing,” said Greg Urban of Edmonds Chamber of Commerce.
The 300 cars on exhibit have been lovingly restored to their original glory, and no expense has been spared. Replaced parts are original and when those weren’t available, some owners became mechanics and engineered specialized parts to fit where needed. This is especially true of the hot rods and custom cars on display.
Cars begin lining up early outside the gates in downtown Edmonds. And then cars of all colors and sizes begin jockeying for the best spot to park and show off their pride and joy. Some cars come from California and Canada, but locals will be represented as well. Nostalgic followers of the motor car, as well as curious families, will be free to stroll down memory lane. It is a great place to share a piece of history with family and friends. Often the owners and their spouses dress in retro styles befitting their special car.
“I’ve heard a lot of stories from owners about how it was their first car, or one similar. People find the time and money to restore cars,” Urban said. He recalled one participant who displayed his ’56 Chevy Bel Air. “It was a beautiful car, and he had done a lot of the work himself. He was a cherry farmer and worked on the car during the six to seven months out of the year when he wasn’t farming.”
Owners can spend countless hours and a lot of money restoring cars. Others have not, but it doesn’t matter. “There’s one man who shows a ‘60s Cadillac convertible that is not restored, but he drives it regularly. It’s about pride in having the car,” Urban said. He referred to the show as not a “trailer and shine” show where the cars are towed in and are rarely driven. Many of the cars at the show are well-loved and driven.
This year there are three celebrity judges: Lance Lambert, David Dickinson, and Marc Springer. Lambert has his own television show, “The Vintage Vehicle Show,” which takes viewers to the best car shows, museums and private collections. He has authored two books: “Fenders, Fins & Friends: Confessions of a Car Guy” and “Gears, Grins & Gasoline: My Wheel Life Adventures.” Dickinson is author of the “Old Car Nut” series of books. His most recent is “The Old Car Nut Book #3: A century of road trips across America.” And last, but not least, is our local Edmonds star, Marc Springer of the “Shipping Wars” television series about transporting unusual items. Springer is owner of Snortn’ Boar Transport and drives a flashy blue semi-rig.
When talking to the owners of these classic cars — besides sharing the pride and work they put into the cars — it becomes obvious that each car has a story. How were they acquired? Who were the previous owners?
Learn their stories at the Edmonds Classic Car Show, at 5th and Main Street, September 13.
Note: The first two stories shared at the beginning of this article are part-fiction, part-true story. The original owners? Edmonds Living Local contributing writer Beth Bonds was the surfer-girl with the ’55 aqua T-bird convertible. Her brother impressed the girls with his red Corvette.
