‘62 Corvette earns People’s Choice award

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Tim Splawn’s 1940 Ford Coupe earned Best Paint honors. The darker color is called Root Beer. Photo by Juanice Gray

By Juanice Gray, jgray@natchitochestimes.com

The skies were bleak but the atmosphere was festive in downtown Natchitoches Saturday for the car show. The rain held off for most of the day bringing car enthusiasts, novices, the curious, old, young and two and four-legged spectators to check out the rides. The show did not disappoint with everything from street rods to pickup trucks, ambulances to made-for-speed sports cars lining the streets.

A 1962 Chevrolet Corvette owned by Tracey Fowler earned the People’s Choice award while Best Interior went to a 1956 Chevy Belair owned by Marc Byers. Brian Gantley’s 1967 Pontiac GTO took home the award for Best Engine and Tim Splawn’s 1940 Ford Coupe won Best Paint.

Steadman Blanchard of Joplin, Mo., and his 1948 GMC Suburban Ambulance were recognized for traveling the Longest Distance. Check out the photos for stories of individual owners.

Charles Watkins of Joplin, Mo., and his four-legged friend Goldie attended the car show Saturday.
Corbin, Cadence and Collin Achord with four-legged family member Clyde, a Great Dane.
The Lions Club hosted a fundraiser at the Natchitoches Car Show. Spokesperson Tina Ragan and Leos Mallory and Claire wrapped cars with tickets for a $20 donation. A drawing determined the winner of half of the funds raised, while the remaining 50 percent went to the Lion’s Club. Connie Reeves of Lufkin, Texas, pitched in to help wrap friend Glen Linderman’s Hillbilly Deluxe.
Winner of the Lions Club wrap a car fundraiser was Mick Parkerson of Burleson Texas. He had a buick wagon wrapped. Parkerson donated his $750 winnings to the Lions Camp. From left are Lions Tina and Wayne Ragan, Miss Merry Christmas Kerrie Spillman, Parkerson, and Lions Eric Gilmore and Don Brown.
Wayne Ragan won the Wipe Out Board and donated his $500 to the camp as well. Collectively, The Lions and LEOs Clubs raised $2,853 for the Lions Camp. 
Road Runner
Dan Tadevich of Alexandria finally solves the mystery of the Road Runner, Wile E. Coyote saga. The Road Runner ultimately got caught. Tadevich’s 1930 Hudson Coupe depicts the mischievous coyote racing across the back of the Coupe. “We just got the front done. It is all hand pinstriped and by the looks of his face, the Road Runner might be caught, but he’s definitely not giving up,” Tadevich said.

This 1948 GMC Suburban is owned by Steadman Blanchard of Joplin, Mo. It was used at Camp Crowder National Guard military base as an ambulance and also survived the F5 tornado that hit the area May 22, 2011.
Tiffany Turner donned a hot dog costume to sell hot dogs and sweet treats at the car show for her sister, Kristy Fredieu, owner of Sweet Treats and Cakes on Touline. Food vendors lined the street offering everything from bottled water to tacos and sweet tea to meat pies.
Todd Hampton of Natchitoches, above is shown with the two automobiles he and wife Christina had in the show. “We’ve had the ‘48 Chevy Restomod with a 412 Stroker engine for about two years,” said Christina. She said they completely went thru drive train, all mechanical aspects of truck and added heat and air, but it still has to go to body shop for new paint. “We just recently acquired the ‘78 Firebird Formula from North Carolina. My nephew found it in a collector’s collection. The deal with us getting this car was that he had the truck but the car is mine!” she said. It is all original with a 400 engine. “This car is like the day it left the showroom. We really had a good time at the car show and the people made it great!”

Rounding out the Top 30 awards were:

Kenneth Seago, 1977 Ford Bronco

Katie Lindsay, 1964 VW Beetle

Polly Pilgram, 1955 Chevrolet Truck

Tracey Fowler, 1962, Chevrolet Corvette

Mick Perkerson, 1957 Buick Wagon

Ricky Runnels, 1969 Chevrolet Camaro

Keith Parker, 1953 Ford Ranch Wagon

Ron Rich, 1949 Chevrolet Sedan Delivery

Jeff Kinsey, 1970 Guick GS convertible

Keith Edwards, 1961 Chevrolet Impala

Mark Dufour, 1965 Chevy Chevelle

Mike Lanclos, 1968 Chevy C-10

Randy Pearson, 1955 Chevy Nomad

Jackie Smith, 1932 Ford Sedan

Randy Edwards, 1968 Dodge Charger

Pat Cox, 1965 Ford Cobra

Brian Cox, 1966 Chevy Nova

Gerald Roe, 1956 Chevy Bel Air

Bob Smith, 1948 Cadillac Sedanette

Alan Gay, 1970 Chevy Chevelle

Louis Briley, 67 Chevy Nova

Joel Wright, 1950 Mercury Custom

Jerry Edwards, 1965 Ford Fairlane

Charles Frye, 1956 Studebaker Hawk

Angel Schlotterbeck, 1960 Chevy Impala

Kathy and CB Stevens, 1935 Chevy Coupe

Terry Driggers, 1936 Chevy Sedan

Don Smith, 1957 Buick Century

Ricky Bonin, 1934 Ford Coupe

Laney McQuillin, 1951 Chevy Truck

 

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