Loose Leaf Notes

– The following first appeared in The Floyd Press on August 21, 2014 with a larger spread of photos. 

Organizers of the 4^th annual Floyd Auto Fair were thrilled with the good weekend weather.  “It rained for about a half an hour Friday night, just long enough to keep the dust down,” said KC Murphy, one of the organizers, on Saturday.

Held at Chantilly Farm, the three day event (August 15-17) drew sizable crowds.  It featured a judged show of classic and modern cars, trucks, rat rods and motorcycles, a ‘50s style Pin-up Girl Contest (open to the public), a NASCAR Simulation Contest, a free classic cruise-in on Sunday, live music, food vendors and what Murphy figures has grown into “the largest parts swap meet in Southwest Virginia.”

Event organizer Erik Herdman of Chasing SS Cars in Willis estimated that more than 200 vehicles participated.  Original restored and modified vehicles from 1900 on up made for a colorful display against the backdrop of mountain views.  Over 200 vendor spots (some vendors purchased more than one spot) were filled.  Door prizes were donated by local businesses.  Some participants camped onsite all weekend.  Others came for the day.

“I’m not a big car buff, but I’ve had fun looking around,” said Mountain Tie Dye t-shirt vendor Michelle Bankey.  Bankey said she was impressed with the creative variety of the restored and personalized vehicles and with the nostalgia and history they represent.  “It’s really great to see this developing,” she said about the Fair’s growing popularity.

Randall Kingery and his wife Peewee came from Buchanan to attend the Auto Fair for the first time. Sitting in a chair next to his 1925 Dodge Brothers automobile, Kingery joked that the hardware clerk had a hangover when he mixed the lavender paint the car was painted with.  He explained that the Dodge brothers of Detroit, Michigan, made cars for Henry Ford and contributed to Ford’s early success.

“It’s a really nice event,” Kingery said about the Auto Fair.  “We’ll be back next year, and we’ll wrangle up some friends to come with us.”

Photo #3 is event organizer Erik Herdman with contest emcee “Announcer Bob” Villwock. Photo #4 is vendor Michelle Bankey with Steve Simms and his 1948 Indian motorcycle, complete with fringe and leather saddle bags. Photo #5 is Randal and Peewee Kingery enjoying live music by their 1925 lavender Dodge Brothers car. With a replaced motor, the antique auto can drive interstate speeds with no problem, Randal said.  Photo #6  are Pin-up models posing in Johnny Dalton’s 1957 Ford Fairlane Convertible.

Leon Young (left) of Floyd and his brother Frank stand next to Leon’s 1948 drag racer with the car’s time 6.25 time (for 1/8th of a mile) posted.

This souped-up wagon, created by Kevin Marshall of East Bend, North Carolina, is mostly for show.  The engine lifts onto storage space, but the parking brake really works, Marshall said.

Taking the term rat rod literal, this rat rod is covered in fur.

Pin-up models were dressed in 1950s fashion to promote the Fair’s Pin-up Girl Contest and a classic car and pin-up girl calendar ($5) that was sponsored by Dalton’s Auto Restoration in Floyd and designed by photographer Kimberly Izatt (pictured).  The car in this photo is an original 1930 Ford Model, owned by Leon Young.

Floyd Countian Pat Therrien and her son Jesse Rendo checked out a table of carburetors.  Rendo’s 1980 motorcycle was a show entry.

A group of men take shelter from the sun under a race car styled RV awning.  Check out SS Chasing Cars for news on next year’s Floyd Auto Show and Swap Meet or visit them on Facebook. _______Our World Tuesday