Classic Car

HARRODSBURG - When Joan Long went into the extended care program at  James B. Haggin Memorial Hospital three years ago, her husband Jimmy and daughter April Tyler knew life wouldn't quite be the same. Joan, like the other residents in the extended care facility, needs around-the-clock attention, which means many of the simple things in life are no longer that simple. So when Jimmy was approached by the group called Second Wind Dreams, an organization that grants wishes to people in extended care programs, he thought long and hard as to what his wife's biggest wish might be. But for Joan, the answer came quickly.

Classic cars from across the state will roll into downtown this weekend as the Heart of Danville hosts its second annual Classic Car Cruise-In. The event will be from 5-8 p.m. Saturday on Main Street between Fourth and Second, with an anticipated 300-400 classic cars lined up along Third. Businesses and restaurants will stay open throughout the event. Organizers said last year's cruise-in received an excellent turnout, bringing families and businesses together downtown. An even larger turnout is expected this year.

Ed Alsman is a fount of knowledge about his sunflower yellow - also known as 1979 Corvette yellow - 1940 Ford two-door deluxe. He's had it a little over two years now and can rattle off its statistics. "In 1940, 343,860 of these were built, of which 171,368 were two-door sedans," says Alsman, a member of the Bluegrass Cruisers car club. "Some were deluxe, some standard. The base price of the deluxe then was $742. The standard was $701. " Alsman will bring his classic wheels to the Pioneer Car Show Aug. 17 at Old Fort Harrod State Park.

LANCASTER ? Sometime in the past, a one-armed racecar driver bought a rather odd-looking Jeep and had power steering installed to make it easier to drive with one hand. Later on, the vehicle was bought by a man in Pike County who intended to give it to his son. But then the man's wife died, his son rarely visited, and Dale Hunt showed up at his house, asking about an old Willys-Overland Jeepster he had heard about. That's the history, according to Hunt, of the unusual vehicle he now parks in his garage.

Scott and Kim Lanham both grew up around classic cars. Scott's father had a Camaro, and Kim's had a variety of old cars which included Corvettes. So, the Boyle County couple started saving for a car that both of them would like to have later. She wanted a convertible, and he wanted a 1969 Camaro. Neither wanted a project that would sit in a garage and never get finished. Although they looked around, they could never find a 1969. Finally, Scott found a 1968 Rally Sport Camaro convertible on a Web site and decided to take a trip to Minnesota to see if it was too good of a deal to pass up. He made sure the car's condition was perfect and e-mailed photos to Kim for her approval.

BRYANTSVILLE - Paula and Dennis Gooden have a long history of working as rehabilitators. Dennis rehabilitated the wounded as a medic with the Green Berets after Vietnam. Together, they served as possum rehabilitators for three years. And now they've virtually completed their rehabilitation of a 1969 Pontiac GTO convertible named Bessie. When the Goodens, who live in Garrard County, found Bessie six years ago, she was bright purple and not in very good condition. Now, after countless stays in mechanics' shops, multiple breakdowns, a new engine, several paint jobs and a lot of detailing work, Bessie is an award-winning, color-changing thing of beauty.

JUNCTION CITY - Ice cream parlors or speakeasies, then to church on Sunday, these were the cars that took you there. Flashing chrome smiles on Saturday, despite the dank weather, the Junction City Railroad Days Car Show entries brought to life every era, from "The Untouchables," through "Bullitt" and even touching on "The Fast and the Furious. " They were classic cars babied like Detroit-crafted children. But what throws a car from common workhorse to beloved classic? Flung down the road by Ford's first V-8 engine, it was easy to see the 1932 Ford Deluxe was going to be a keeper.

The color of Billy Curtsinger's 1972 Chevrolet half-ton, step-side truck isn't exactly candy-apple red. It's "Grand Am bright red," he says. Regardless of its specific color, the 350 cubic-inch, 330 horsepower, turbo hydromatic, gas engine truck sparkles from front to back. It will be doubly glossy when he takes it to the Classic Wheels Cruise-In Saturday on Main Street in Harrodsburg. Curtsinger has been going to the Harrodsburg cruise-in since they started it several years ago. "I'm originally from Harrodsburg, and I enjoy the Harrodsburg show," he notes.

Charlie Thomas bought his first Ford Mustang, a white 1965 Coupe, in 1987 when he was just 23. The car was owned by Danville pharmacist George Grider and although it was not for sale, Thomas inquired about buying it and Grider agreed. Since then, Thomas has owned 10 Mustangs. He has a hard time choosing one model over another, but the style from 1964 to 1969 is probably his favorite. He thinks that the Ford Mustang has always looked fresh and vibrant and that it gets better with age. He and his wife, Sue, currently own five Mustangs.

HARRODSBURG - When Joan Long went into the extended care program at  James B. Haggin Memorial Hospital three years ago, her husband Jimmy and daughter April Tyler knew life wouldn't quite be the same. Joan, like the other residents in the extended care facility, needs around-the-clock attention, which means many of the simple things in life are no longer that simple. So when Jimmy was approached by the group called Second Wind Dreams, an organization that grants wishes to people in extended care programs, he thought long and hard as to what his wife's biggest wish might be. But for Joan, the answer came quickly.

LANCASTER ? Sometime in the past, a one-armed racecar driver bought a rather odd-looking Jeep and had power steering installed to make it easier to drive with one hand. Later on, the vehicle was bought by a man in Pike County who intended to give it to his son. But then the man's wife died, his son rarely visited, and Dale Hunt showed up at his house, asking about an old Willys-Overland Jeepster he had heard about. That's the history, according to Hunt, of the unusual vehicle he now parks in his garage.

BRYANTSVILLE - Paula and Dennis Gooden have a long history of working as rehabilitators. Dennis rehabilitated the wounded as a medic with the Green Berets after Vietnam. Together, they served as possum rehabilitators for three years. And now they've virtually completed their rehabilitation of a 1969 Pontiac GTO convertible named Bessie. When the Goodens, who live in Garrard County, found Bessie six years ago, she was bright purple and not in very good condition. Now, after countless stays in mechanics' shops, multiple breakdowns, a new engine, several paint jobs and a lot of detailing work, Bessie is an award-winning, color-changing thing of beauty.

LANCASTER - Most wildcats aren't much longer than your arm, but Scotty Merida's Wildcat is about 19 feet long - nearly two stories high stood on its end. Merida's Wildcat is so long he measured his garage before purchasing it, just in case it wouldn't fit. Merida bought his 1965 Buick Wildcat six years ago when he spotted it for sale in a yard in Brodhead. He had been looking to buy a classic car, like a '67 GTO or a '68 Camaro, but those proved to be a little out of his price range.

Chris Elleman dreamed of buying a vintage convertible, but he figured that a classic car would be out of his price range. After poking around on the Internet, he found a 1970 Oldsmobile Delta 88 convertible for sale in Indianapolis. Elleman made the trip from his home in Bryantsville, expecting a rusted piece of junk to be waiting for him. Instead, Elleman hit the jackpot. The owner already had too many cars on his hands and wanted to get rid of his well-maintained Delta 88 for a bargain-basement price.

LEBANON - The finest classic cars, trucks and motorcycles will be in evidence for auto enthusiasts when the U.S. 68 Garage Tour opens Saturday. Held at Hardin Garage, a showplace for some of central Kentucky's finest Mercuries, Thunderbirds, Ford convertibles and Crown Victorias, this show will feature classic automobiles from as far away as Hopkinsville. The first 50 cars to arrive will get commemorative dash plates. No pre-registration is required. There is no general admission and parking is free.

Despite his obvious affection for the car, it's likely Clyde Rogers would have sold his 1956 Bel-Air a long time ago. He's had more than a few offers from auto aficionados wanting to take the wheels off of his hands. But there's just one thing standing in the way - his better half. Were it not for the insistence of his wife, Lou, the keys to the classic car would likely be in the hands of someone else. "I've often threatened to sell the car on some occasions, but my wife won't let me," Clyde said in a defeated tone.

Scott and Kim Lanham both grew up around classic cars. Scott's father had a Camaro, and Kim's had a variety of old cars which included Corvettes. So, the Boyle County couple started saving for a car that both of them would like to have later. She wanted a convertible, and he wanted a 1969 Camaro. Neither wanted a project that would sit in a garage and never get finished. Although they looked around, they could never find a 1969. Finally, Scott found a 1968 Rally Sport Camaro convertible on a Web site and decided to take a trip to Minnesota to see if it was too good of a deal to pass up. He made sure the car's condition was perfect and e-mailed photos to Kim for her approval.

Stephen Fowler always wanted a classic car from the 1950s or 1960s. That's what attracted him to the Pontiac Tempest. "The Pontiac Tempest stands out from the crowd; the car is different than most cars you see. Everyone has Camaros, Chevelles or Mustangs," Fowler says. The classic came from Bagdad - Bagdad, Ky., that is. The Boyle County native enjoys the looks that he gets when he tells people where he got the car. It's not a Pontiac Grand Turismo Omologato or GTO, but a clone, called a Tempest Custom built in 1967.

Charlie Thomas bought his first Ford Mustang, a white 1965 Coupe, in 1987 when he was just 23. The car was owned by Danville pharmacist George Grider and although it was not for sale, Thomas inquired about buying it and Grider agreed. Since then, Thomas has owned 10 Mustangs. He has a hard time choosing one model over another, but the style from 1964 to 1969 is probably his favorite. He thinks that the Ford Mustang has always looked fresh and vibrant and that it gets better with age. He and his wife, Sue, currently own five Mustangs.