Story - The Meade County Messenger


Vol. 119. No.30	July 28 , 2010

County’s coolest Classics and customs converge

What may have been close to a half-a-million dollars of bling was assembled at Meade Olin Park July 17, for a good time, a good cause, and a good look at some of the coolest custom cars and motorcycles around.

The car show was hosted by the Weldon Classic Car Club and was sponsored by Ray’s Ford and Tony Brown’s Chevrolet, among many others. It drew over 61 competitors.

The car circuit is a close community, with owners traveling around the state to participate in various small shows. The event drew numerous out-of-town competitors to Brandenburg.
Appearing in the Weldon Classic for the first time with a custom bike, Rick Streetman, Vine Grove, built his hog in honor of his father who was a truck driver. With at least $30,000 invested, the details are mind boggling from the custom eight-ball gas tank to the suicide shift.

It would seem behind each car or bike is a story.

Rebecca W. Shacklette, Brandenburg, finished her 1957 White Chevy Bel-Air in honor of her late husband, Larry. Married in 1960, they always had one in the garage. This is her second time showing the classic – one of but a few women involved as owners in shows.

“It’s my car and I’m proud to show it. I told myself ‘I’m going to get Larry’s car done, and my grandson helped find someone to work on it,” said Shacklette. “I probably shouldn’t say this, it may sound odd, but when it was done, I took it by the cemetery to show him. I knew he’d like it.”

Showing a 1952 Wheelies Aero, was local Rod Haukom, Brandenburg, who described the gem’s attributes. He didn’t do much major customizing, careful to keep the classic just that – save for putting the automatic on the floor.

“These are extremely rare – I believe they were only produced between 1952 and 1954.”
Still, the Aero, with a double pump carburetor (Holley duel jets), and 350 Chevy block, has more get-up-and-go than one would imagine from the 12 mpg specimen.

“This thing actually scared me,” said Haukom. “You barely step on the gas, and you’re off. I floored it once, tires screeching. I will never do that again!”

The “hobby” is an expensive one, with some owners not even wanting to calculate the money vested in their showpieces. One owner didn’t want to talk specifics, saying in hushed tones, “Not in front of my wife.”

For Haukom, the Aero is his one indulgence, he said. “I don’t go anywhere, and I don’t do anything outside of taking care of my wonderful wife, kids and grandbabies, and that brings me great joy. This is the one thing I do for myself.”

One of the few “modern cars” on display was from Brandenburg’s Jim Rupp, with his “UK Blue” PT Cruiser.

“Well, I’ve been a UK fan since arriving here in 1962. In Kentucky, you’re either one or the other,” said Rupp. “I’m true UK blue.”

He initially bought the 2004 Cruiser as reliable transportation for his retirement, and it’s been just that – getting him to and from Montana, New York, Louisiana and other round trips. Keeping the paint pristine for shows, despite all the traveling is something he enjoys.

“I’m one of those goofy people that enjoys keeping a car absolutely clean, all the time” said Rupp. “This is so much fun, and it’s not always about the trophies you win. I think it’s great we have a local show here, because I do believe in buying local. I get my groceries here, I get my gas here. I try to do everything here.”

He also enjoys the friendships, including one with fellow PT enthusiast Bob Horsley, Garfield, who parks his white Cruiser alongside. The two have become fast friends on the Kentucky car scene.

“I really enjoy meeting all these people,” said Rupp. “All car people are good people, they just are. And this is a great show for Meade County. I think it’s wonderful.”

Still another Brandenburg buff, Ralph Babb bought his Mercury sedan from Elwood Morgan (now deceased) in 1993, and embarked on a massive restoration.

“Everything was on the floor – wires, hoses, the exhaust, everything but the engine,” he described.
Nearby, is a 33 Dodge pickup he spent a couple years refitting onto a homebuilt chassis, and the results were striking. Offered $50,000 for it, he declined.

The Weldon Classic Car Club will be donating some of the proceeds to “Read-a-thon” programs at Brandenburg, Ekron, and David T. Wilson Elementary schools. Judging for the event was done by Jim Bennett, Jeremy Smith, Eddie Bennett, Ray Thomas, Chris Rogers and Todd Jones.

The Weldon Classic Car Club can be found on Facebook for more information.

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