By Dan Spalding
InkFreeNews

WARSAW – Car collectors love to talk about their vehicles.

With an estimated 150 cars on display Friday, Aug. 5, at Baker Youth Club Car Show, it was easy to strike up a few conversations.

InkFreeNews randomly selected six car owners and gave them a chance to brag a little.

Here are their stories.

Jason Henry, Warsaw,

1977 MG MGB

He bought it this year.

Highlight: “It’s all original. I’ve never done anything but drive it.”

What spurred your interest in cars: “My uncle had Trans Spitfire growing up and I’ve always loved these British cars. I had a Fiat Spider in my high school years I just wanted to get back into it so I bought this.”

Mike Music, Warsaw,

1956 Chevy 3100, step side.

He’s had it for nine years and totally restored it “from the ground up.”

Highlight: “The looks. The black is hard to keep clean, but the looks are just off the wall.”

What spurred your interest in cars: I’ve always liked old vehicles. I’m an antique nut.”

Cy Walls, Pierceton

1951 Ford Shoebox chop top

He totally rehabbed the vehicle.

What’s special? The engine, which came out of a 2013 Camaro. “I wanted to build something that looks slow, but it will move out when it needs to.”

What spurred your interest in cars: “My grandpa, he passed away two or three months ago and I pretty much built it for him, in dedication to him. He was a hot rodder.”

Cheryl Lacheta, Warsaw

1960 Nash Metropolitan with a matching pink trailer

She and her husband, John, found it in Mississippi two years ago and restored it.

Highlight: “It’s super fun and her name is Hope because I’m a breast cancer survivor.”

What spurred your interest in cars: Her father loved car collecting. “I’ve always been into cars. I’m a car girl. You can talk to me about cars and I’m gonna understand it. And I married a guy (John) who is a car guy.”

Jim Welsh, Warsaw

1953 F100 Pickup

He’s had it since 2004.

Highlight: The truck features an airbrushed image of Big Daddy Ed Roth, a custom car builder in the 50s and 60s who disliked Mickey Mouse and created his own character, Rat Fink.

What spurred your interest in cars: “I built the truck for my dad. I did everything but the airbrush work. He passed away in 2021 from COVID.”

Marla LaRue, Pierceton

2011 Dodge Challenger

Bought it about a year ago

Highlight: “It’s a mine … My brother has a 2009. We’re always in competition. I think mine is better than his … “I’ve always wanted a challenger since I was a teenager. I think they’re the neatest cars.”

What spurred your interest in cars: My husband, Scott