ELLSWORTH – Cars are not just a way to get from one point to another as quickly as possible, they tell a story. Whether it was your first car or your dream car, cars mean something to people.
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ELLSWORTH – Cars are not just a way to get from one point to another as quickly as possible, they tell a story. Whether it was your first car or your dream car, cars mean something to people.
For the members of the Beldenville Old Car Club, the 45th annual Car Show and Swap Meet is an opportunity to share these stories.
The July 23 event is not just for people with old cars, but for people from all over to get together, and share their personal car stories with the community.
Each member of the Beldenville Old Car Club has different stories of how they grew a passion for cars, where they got their treasures and how they fixed them up.
Club member Jody Sather joked that he needs to go to “Automobiles Anonymous” for his love for cars.
It was Hot Wheels that sparked Sather’s interest in cars. There were cars that piqued his interest as a child including a 1939 Ford Coupe.
Sather’s first car was a 1967 Ford Fairlane that he used to haul mail for his job. People found this car to be interesting, so Sather fixed it up and still has it to this day.
Sather brought a 1969 Ford Torino to the club’s final meeting before the show, which was both difficult to acquire and restore, but Sather finds that can be part of the fun.
The Torino was first spotted in an ad on Craigslist by Sather about three years ago. After reaching out to the owner, Sather had no luck, and the ad was removed. The ad reappeared, but Sather could not check out the car because of the pandemic. Sather eventually got to see it and made the purchase.
“The hunt is probably some of the funnest parts of the old car stuff,” Sather said. “Every old car you get is a project, whether it’s in nice shape or not. There’s always something you’ve got to do to it.”
After purchasing the Torino, Sather took it to the car show where he saw the original owner. The owner shared stories about the history and was interested in buying it back.
“He could tell me how every little dent and ding got on the car,” Sather said.
Sather, who was formerly president of the club, said the show brings people together who do not see each other for an entire year. Despite this, the people hang out as if they had been hanging out all year long.
Sather is just one of the many stories people from the car show have. One club member, Scott Warren, bought his 1948 Chevy Camper for $200 and has received offers of $10,000.
Joe Owen recalled working on his 1972 Dodge Charger with his dad, who has since passed away. Owen said it was one of the last cars the two worked on together.
“My dad used to tell me that when I was a little chopper riding in the car, I could tell him what was in front of us, what year it was and what brand it was when I was like, 6 or 7 years old,” Owen said.
All these memories have led the club members to where they are now, sharing stories about what sparked their love of cars.
The event takes place Sunday, July 23 at the Pierce County Fairgrounds (364 N. Maple St., Ellsworth), with $5 admission (12 and younger are free). Gates open at 8 a.m. There will be food, live music and 16 classes of cars from all over the area, along with a farm toy show and collector and antique tractors.
