CAR SHOW TO DRAW UP TO 5,000 PEOPLE

From Model A to Zephyr, buyers will find plenty of rarities as well as more common cars at the Smith Auction Company's Classic and Collector Car Auction this weekend in Cape Girardeau.

The largest collector car auction ever scheduled in Southeast Missouri will be held at the Show Me Center Saturday and Sunday.

"More than 300 vehicles have been consigned for this two-day auction," said Sherm Smith of Smith's Auction Company in Dexter. "More than 100 of the cars will be offered with no reserve."

No reserve means the cars will be sold, noted Smith. Many collector car owners place a "reserve" on their vehicles.

Smith is expecting a large crowd for the two-day event.

"We'll have cars and people from throughout the country," said Smith, who conducted his first big antique car auction at Dexter a year ago.

"We had about 160 cars and more than 3,000 people at that sale," said Smith. "We sold 41 percent of the cars which were consigned."

That percentage falls within the 30 to 50 percentage range of many major antique car sales companies.

"We're looking to Cape Girardeau as a permanent site for an annual auction," said Smith, who added that he hopes to make the event one of the biggest car auctions in the Midwest.

Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children.

When the auctioneer first raps his gavel to kick off the auction at 10 a.m. Saturday, the Show Me Center will be wall-to-wall with cars and shoulder-to-shoulder with people. Gene Radcliffe, who recently won the 1995 Auctioneers World Championship, will serve as auctioneer.

"Radcliffe is known throughout the country for his classic car auctioneering," said Smith.

The last time an antique car auction was held in Cape Girardeau was over a decade ago, when more than 5,000 people -- buyers and spectators -- turned out to watch the 153-vehicle collection of late Cape Girardeau businessman Charles N. Harris go on the auction block at prices ranging from $1,500 to $41,000.

"We feel we'll see from 4,000 to 5,000 people in Cape Girardeau next weekend," said Smith. "We have some great cars coming in for this sale."

At least 11 of the cars are from the Wilbur Smith collection at Doniphan.

"A lot of antique and collector car people know that name," said Sherm Smith. "Over the years he has put together an enviable collection of vehicles, and he's ready to part with some of them."

Eleven of the Wilbur Smith vehicles are on the consignment list, including one of his favorite cars, a 1928 Ford Sport Coupe complete with a side-mount for the spare tire.

Another of Smith's favorite is a 1936 Ford opera coupe, which he used as his own personal car.

"This is one of the top cars in the country," said Sherm Smith. "It's real rare, and will be sold at the auction with no reserve.

Another old-car collection will be here from Searcy, Ark. Tony Wilson will be bringing 36 cars to the auction, including a 1936 Plymouth convertible.

"We'll have rare cars, antique cars, muscle cars, some street rods and a variety of collector vehicles," said Smith. "You'll see vehicles sell from $1,000 to $60,000."

Among some of the notable vehicles to be here are a 1929 Model A Ford with only 36,000 miles; a 1955 Mercury two-door hardtop with 13,000 miles; a '56 Ford Thunderbird with frame-up restoration; the '32 Model A street rod, featuring power steering, air=conditioning, power seat and a 350-horsepower motor; A 1938 Chevy two-door sedan; a '42 Chevy truck; and a '41 Lincoln Zephyr, a four-door sedan with a real powerhouse 12-cylinder, engine.

"Ragtops" will be plentiful at the auction, featuring 1955, '56, '57 and '58 Chevy convertibles; a '69 Chevy Malibu convertible; Mustang convertibles; a '49 Ford convertible; and a 1962 Lincoln convertible, among others.

Some local cars have also been consigned to the auction, among them a 1973 Mustang convertible owned by Mary DePeder of Cape Girardeau; a 1959 Thunderbird by Dr. Richard Martin; a 1982 Camaro Pace Car by Al Hegedus; and a '66 Chevy Pro-Street car by Bob Hutchins of Fruitland.

Sherm Smith developed a love for old cars as a youngster when he acquired a 1948 Ford police car. Since then, sandwiched between a 30-year career in journalism, Smith has acquired and sold many antique, collectible and classic vehicles.