River City Rodders hold car show in downtown Cape; 1941 Willys Coupe wins top honor

River City Rodders club members judged 198 classic cars at the Cape Girardeau riverfront Sunday for the annual River Tales Classic Car Show, which drew hundreds of car enthusiasts from around the state.

Participants entered cars and trucks in 31 classes this year, keeping judges busy until almost 3 p.m., when sponsors handed out Boyd's Pick -- the day's best in show -- and first-, second- and third-place trophies for each class.

"This is the best thing Cape ever did, bringing this show here," said Dan Wishner of Marble Hill, Mo., whose 1934 Ford Roadster was Old Town Cape's choice for best in show. "It's the old part of town. You've got the old street lights. Shops are open. It's a good feeling."

With all its original nuts and bolts, the Roadster was shown for the first time Sunday. Wishner said it took him six years to finish and that he may do some additional tweaking during the winter. He sold his 1968 Chevrolet Corvette and 1967 Chevrolet El Camino to buy the Roadster in 2004.

"I always wanted a '34 Ford Roadster. I raised six children and had to wait until they left the house to do it," Wishner said. "I've been into mechanics all my life."

Taking home three of the car show's most sought-after awards was St. Clair, Mo., car enthusiast Harold Meyer, who sat by his bright orange 1941 Willys Coupe much of the day. His car won for best paint, best engine and best in show.

Meyer said he bought the car five years ago but only started showing it two years ago. With a Chevrolet fuel-injected system, leather and alligator skin seats and stainless steel trim, judges often refer to the car's "overall package," Meyer said.

"It's completely taken apart and redone," said Meyer, who has showed classics for years, taking home more than 175 trophies. At least 25 trophies are best-in-show honors.

Although many of the car show's participants enter car shows often, most aren't too competitive and aren't disappointed if they don't take home a trophy.

"I really don't care if I win or not," said Ironton, Mo., resident Gary Hartwell, who showed his 1957 Ford Thunderbird. "I love watching the people enjoying the cars and getting memorabilia of the past."

Hartwell has entered his Thunderbird in many shows and has won trophies in 60 events. He said the black-and-white T-Bird is the fourth he's owned and his favorite because it reminds him of his days in the military.

Tom Cook of Gordonville also enters his classic cars in shows regularly. On Sunday, he entered his 1922 Ford T-Bucket, which he said he has spent thousands of hours perfecting. Judges typically like the T-Bucket, he said, because they appreciate all the effort put into the car's exterior.

"All the nuts, bolts, wires ... they match," he said. "It's the small details they look at."

The most rare car parked downtown Sunday was one not even entered in the show -- a 1935 Studebaker Land Cruiser owned by Dr. Ford Stoecker of Cape Girardeau.

River City Rodders club member and former judge Larry Kaempfer said there are only about three other 1935 Land Cruisers in the United States.

"It's not only a rare car, he actually rides it," Kaempfer said.

To learn more about the show's sponsor, visit www.rivercityrodders.com.

ehevern@semissourian.com

388-3635

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