Joe Holtzapple brought his 1932 Ford kit-body to the Charity Car Show at Apollo Career Center on Sunday.
Shannon Bohle | The Lima News
LIMA — Polishing and re-polishing their vehicles after each light rain shower, vehicle owners showed off a range of historical vehicles, muscle cars and trucks at the 14th annual Charity Car Show on Sunday at Apollo Career Center.
Thomas Reese, of Wanesfield, brought his 1958 Chevy Impala Sport Coupe. It boasts a 283 small block, two-barrel engine. Reese acquired his Impala four years ago. He drives it in good weather but stores it in a literal “bubble” in his garage during winters.
“It’s a big clear plastic bubble with a fan on it that keeps air circulating around the vehicle and reduces the vehicle’s exposure to moisture,” explained Reese.
Nearly everything is original with Reese’s Impala, with the exception of replacing its original shoe brakes with disk brakes and replacing an old powerglide with a 350 transmission.
Reese also owns two 1929 Model-As (one with yellow wheels) and a 1925 Model-T. To house them, Reese put up an extra pole building.
Joe Holtzapple brought a 1932 kit-body built 5-window coup with a 347 stroker motor, with custom blue and ivory paint.
Just 150 individuals registered to show their vehicles, whereas in a typical year, there are roughly 300 exhibitors, said John Waller, of Charity Car Show, the 501 (c)(3) non-profit running the event.
Clouds and intermittent light rain also deterred spectators from showing up or staying through the full event, though there was a steady influx of people throughout the event.
“All these car guys are a close-knit community. Everybody has an appreciation for the other guy’s stuff. They see the hard work people put into their cars,” Waller said.
There were 80 trophies for cars voted the people’s favorites and 15 trophies for entries selected by an independent panel of judges. Of the latter, there were three top trophies for ‘Best in Show.’ First place went to Roy Croft for his 1961 Chrysler 300, second place went to Beth Kistler for her 1970 Pontiac Judge and third place went to Mike Bilo for his 1934 FCRO Sedan.
The car show also featured a 50/50 drawing, raffles and other door prizes that included hats and t-shirts. Westgate Lanes and bounce houses provided fun and games for children attending the car show, making it an event for all ages.
A variety of food vendors provided German food, barbecued foods, coffee, and coney dogs.
According to Waller, funds raised will be divided among local charities that will be determined next week.
To be a sponsor or vendor for next year’s show, contact Waller at American Mall Auto Care, 2850 W. Elm St., Lima, or call 419-999-5878.
