Reprint from the Progress Times - March 7, 2008
©Progress Times 2008 - All Rights Reserved

Mission Classic Car Show is Saturday

 

Anyone with a passion for automotive history or even just a passing interest in unique cars will want to attend the Fifth Annual Mission Classic Car Show to be held at Mission Sports Plaza in Sharyland Plantation on South Shary Road, Mission. With an expected 300 cars participating, the show has outgrown its former location at Mission Market Square downtown.

Mindy Levermann, show coordinator, said the show will run through 5 p.m. While setup begins at 8 a.m. all the cars should be in place by 10 a.m. Judging will take place in the afternoon and results will be announced about 4:30 p.m.

The vehicles are divided into four categories which include classic cars-any auto/truck older than 1976 that is in original or restored to original conditions and specifications.

Hot Rod/Custom includes vehicles 1950 or older with modifications to drive train, body, suspension, interior, paint or wheels. It includes graphics, special paint, flames and pin striping.

Street Rod/Custom include vehicle models 1951 to 1976 with modifications to drive train, body, suspension, interior, paint or wheels. They are also judged on graphics, special paint, flames and pin striping.

Muscle cars include automobiles 1964-1976 that are factory, higher performance American cars in original or restored to original condition and specifications.

Levermann stressed that the show is a hometown, home-grown, salt-of-the-earth show. It is not a national competition show. Vehicles will be judged on condition and presentation. While there might be a vehicle that has an authentic stripe dating to the year it was built, other cars in better condition with different striping or graphics might win the show. Conditioning and presentation are the criteria the judges will be seeking, not complete authenticity to original model designs.

"In the eyes of the judges, the best cars are going to win," said Levermann. "They will be the ones that are nicer looking, have a neat paint job and clean engine compartments. The overall look and quality of restoration will be what the judges are seeking."

Over $4,000 in prizes will be awarded. This is attracting more cars to the competition. Levermann said cars are coming from as far as Utah and Tennessee. There are also Winter Texans who brought vehicles from Canada to show.

In addition to first, second and third in each category, there will be awards for Best of Show and Mayor’s Choice. People who attend the show will be asked to vote for Exhibitor’s Choice, Ladies Choice and Kids Choice. Other awards include Best Flames, Best Custom Paint Job, Best Convertible, Best Restored Truck, Best Foreign Car and Most Unique Engine.

A fundraiser for the Lonestar Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is planned. Prizes to be given away include a Nintendo Wii, a Brighton purse worth over $400, a truck tool box, one-hour massages and a $100 gift card.

Shirts, caps, tools and items related to cars will be on sale by vendors along with costume jewelry, cosmetics and other fun things.