Dozens of car enthusiasts brought their cars to the Arena at Camp Jordan, Saturday morning, to show off their “babies” and raise money for the East Ridge Optimist Club.
The proceeds from the Second Annual “Cars-4-Kids” Show goes a long way in helping the Optimists fund various programs for youth throughout the year, said club President Harry Mackey.
Ora Citty, Chairperson of the car show, said the Optimists have projects throughout the year such as the fishing rodeo, the Orange Grove Christmas Party and the 911 Appreciation Luncheon for first responders.
Ora Citty, chairperson of the car show, stands beside her 1964 Chevy two-door.
“The dollars we make here go toward funding these programs,” Citty said.
She and her husband, James, entered their 1964 black, Chevy two-door with a lacquer finish fit for the Concours d’Elegance at Pebble Beach.
Mackey was roving around checking out some of the vintage cars which were on display. He stopped at a cherry red 1955 Chevy owned by Wanda and Doug Baggett and marveled at the welding work done on the custom radiator.
“I owned one of these in the early 1960s and I sold it for $225,” Mackey said. “I thought I robbed the guy.”
Wanda and Doug Barnett’s 1955 Chevy.
The value of the ’55 now may be as much as the high five figures.
Larry Sewell wandered around and talked to other collectors that had their cars on display, but he never strayed far from his 1972 Monte Carlo, which he bought new for $6,441. The car has 88,000 original miles, but the rebuilt engine, Sewell said, may have only a couple hundred on it.
Aside from the beautiful car, Sewell has various memorabilia in the glove, backseat and trunk. Among those items is an East Ridge letterman’s jacket, the original registration and various ads from magazines for Chevrolet’s 1972 lineup of vehicles from magazines that have long since ceased publication.
Larry Sewell shows off some vintage material he keeps inside his ’72 Monte Carlo.
Ralph and Ruth Braly brought their baby blue 1957 Chevy BelAir convertible. Ruth likes to show the vehicle off, but signs on the convertible boot clearly remind everyone “not to touch.”
Classic cars were predominate at the show, but contemporary, state-of-the-art sports cars were sprinkled about; including Ron Kellog’s 2016 Corvette Z06.
Kellog said the turbocharged 650 horse engine is the fastest Corvette ever made. He said he’s taking it next weekend to Indianapolis where he’s arranged to take two laps around the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The cars are a fun way to get together and have a good time, Optimist Club officials said. But, the main thrust of the event is raising money to fund the good work they do in the community.
Citty said the club, which has a couple dozen active members, invites anyone interested in becoming involved to attend their meetings. They are on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Center on Tombras Avenue.
The tail fin of Ruth and Ralph Braly’s 1957 Chevy BelAir.
