Rain dampens turnout, but not spirits
by Patricia Muhammad
LANSING, Ill. (October 7, 2017) – Lynn Brink and her husband John, of Lansing, are huge classic car fans. During the October 7 car show held at Phillips Chevrolet, the couple displayed their 1958 bright red Chevy Yeoman and received an award for Best Interior by Thunder Road Productions, a Lansing business that promotes car shows and cruise nights. Thunder Road Productions sponsored the award and recognition segment of the show.
The rainy weather didn’t stop the more than 100 classic car lovers and spectators from showing up to admire the antique cars and sleek corvettes in Phillips Chevrolet’s parking lot. The event was co-sponsored by Thunder Road Productions, Cross Road Corvette, and Fast Lane Corvette, according to Mark Catuara, General Sales Manager for Phillips Chevrolet of Lansing.
“At today’s show,” he said, “you will see a display of all classic, antique, and custom cars—from ’57 Chevys, to classic Corvettes, to modified hydraulic pick-up trucks, old roadsters, and hot rods. Everything is here.”
Report cards, trophies, and plaques
During the pinnacle of the show, Thunder Road Productions issued report cards, and owners received a grade and advice on how to improve their classic cars.
Participants also received trophies and plaques:
- Best Stock Corvette went to Marvin Williams
- Outstanding Modified 70s Car went to Ms. Cookie
- Best Interior Car went to Lynn and John Brink
- Barry Moss received an award for Orphan Vehicle, among others
Other categories included Best Engine and Outstanding Stock Trucks.
Vintage appreciation
Eric F. Pickett, Sales & Leasing Consultant at Phillips Chevrolet, explained that he enjoys the show because of his affinity for vintage cars. “This is my third year with Phillips Chevrolet, and I’ve always appreciated the car show being here because it brings people in here to see what we have to offer—new cars, used cars—and it also gives me a chance to see some of the old cars that I like to see. I can appreciate an old muscle car from the 60s and 70s.”
Another LACE event
Mike Gaffney and Patricia Leck are Directors with the Lansing Association for Community Events (LACE). They and other LACE volunteers helped organize the Phillips Chevrolet car show, working with Thunder Road Productions. LACE is the organization that also planned the three 2017 Cruise Nights on Ridge Road and a September Family, Fun, and Fireworks event at Lansing Country Club.
“This is the third annual car show with Phillips Chevrolet,” said Leck. “We expected about 400 people, but because of the weather, it wasn’t in that ballpark.” This car show was LACE’s last event for the year, but they have already reserved October 5–7 of 2018 for an “Auto Fest.”
CAR SIDEBAR
Here are the takeaway differences between stock cars, modified cars, and orphan cars. For clarity, Merriam Webster states that stock cars have the same look as a regular car but with an engine designed for racing. A modified car is a passenger car that receives modifications that change the appearance or performance of the car. Mr. Moss stated that an orphan car is a car that you won’t be able to buy from the manufacturer.
