More than 100 cars, including many Chevrolet Camaros, are expected to participate in the 42nd annual Farm-City Days car show Saturday.
“Camaro clubs from Wichita, Kansas City and Springfield (Mo.) plan to be here,” said Jim West, one of the show’s organizers.
The Camaros will be displayed on the parking lot just north of Fellowship Regional Church, while other cars will be situated in the first two blocks of West Street. If more space is needed, West said arrangements had been made to use the third block of West Street, as well as Chestnut.
“We were at a show in Fredonia last weekend and there were 125 cars there,” he said. “If the weather is nice — it’s supposed to be and they’ve even taken the rain out for Friday — I think we’ll have as many here.”
Among those being show will be West’s 1935 Ford 2-door sedan, which he spent six years customizing from its original condition.
“Its all steel, not a kit car,” West pointed out.
The drive train is later model and the car has modern safety features, along with power steering, air-conditioning and disk brakes.
“We’ve had it to shows in Sacramento (Calif.), Tampa (Fla.) and everywhere in between,” he said.
He is an original member of Iola’s Coachmen’s Car Club, which formed in 1958.
“I grew up with cars,” said West, 70, “and have always been involved with hot rods,” allowing that he was one of the many Americans who have had a life-long fascination with cars as more than just a means of transportation.
Show participants will vie for 61 trophies, given in various classes and for such things as best paint job, interior and engine. Motorcycles also will be shown.
Four prizes of $50 each will be given in a drawing open to those who bring cars to Iola, and the best-of-show winner will receive $100 and a special trophy.
“The show is going to be a lot of fun for owners as well as spectators,” West concluded.
