ELIZABETHTOWN — Despite some brief showers Saturday, organizers of the annual “Made in the Shade” classic car and truck show are pleased with this year’s turnout.
On Saturday, almost 100 cars lined up in front of and beside San Jose for the annual event organized by the Classic Cruisers. The 92 entries ranged from 20s-era Fords and Power Wagons to just-released models and muscle cars.
“It went real good,” said organizer Wayne Edge. “We knew the rain was going to keep people away — we usually have 250 to 300 cars — but we didn’t think we would have 50 or 60. So we were well pleased with how many showed up.”
On Friday, with near certainty that rain would be moving in, organizers talked about calling it off, but forged ahead because of the investment.
“We decided we’d already worked too hard to put it off,” Edge explained.
Awards were given out in 15 “Best of” categories, including the following:
— Best of Show Pre ‘87: 1967 Chevrolet Camaro belonging to Jack Mayer of Lumberton
— Best of Show ‘87 or Newer: 2012 Ford Roush R53 with a 5.0 supercharged engine and 540 HP belonging to Glen Howell of Clarkton
— Ford Pre ‘87: 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302 belonging to Steve McPherson of Chadbourn
— Ford ‘87 or Newer: 2014 Mustang GT belonging to Nathan Freeman of Rocky Point
— Camaro Pre ‘87: 1971 Camaro with a 350 LT1 engine belonging to Michael Cummings of Ocean Isle Beach
— Camaro ‘87 or Newer: 2010 Camaro SS with a 6.2-liter engine belonging to Jose Ogas of Fayetteville
— GM Pre ‘87: 1970 Buick Skylark GS belonging to Wayne Anderson of Nashville
— GM ‘87 or Newer: 2018 Chevrolet Camaro belonging to Mike Schwind of Fayetteville
— Mopar Pre ‘87: 1971 Dodge W100 Power Wagon restored by Mark Polk of Harrells
— Mopar ‘87 and Newer: 2016 Dodge Ram Sport 1500 belonging to Anthony Strickland of Clarkton
— Full-size Truck Pre ‘87: 1931 Ford Model A with a four-cylinder engine belonging to Linwood Sumner of Teachey
— Full-size Truck ‘87 and Newer: 2013 Ford F150 belonging to Riley Merritt of White Lake
— Mustang 1964-1986: 1968 California Special belonging to Jim Autry of Fayetteville
— Mustang 1987 or Newer: 2009 Shelby GT 500 belonging to Dennis Bosak of Leland
— Chevelle — 1971 model belonging to Clinton’s Ronnie Johnson
— Street Rod: 1923 Ford Model T belonging to White Lake’s Steve Douglas
— Original: 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner with a retractable hard top, belonging to Jimmy Brice of Elizabethtown
— Corvette 1953-1982: a 1957 model belonging to Jake Prevatte of West End
— Other: 1983 GMC Astro 95 with a tilt cab belonging to Hank Purvis of Dunn
Additional awards included:
— Ladies’ Choice: 1957 Buick Super Riviera belonging to Frank “Gator” Harrison of Lumberton
— Most Unusual: 2002 Ford Excursion Limited 4×4 with 46” tires and an 18” lift, belonging to Michael Booth of Raeford
— Oldest Vehicle: 1931 Ford A Model coupe belonging to Jimmy Lewis of Elizabethtown
— Club participation: Southern Cruisers Car Club of Dudley, N.C.
— Longest distance went to Steve McDaniel of Latta, S.C.
— Best Host Car: Wayne Dove of Tar Heel for a 1956 Ford truck
The winner of the 50/50 raffle walked away with $320.
Chrysta Carroll can be reached by calling 910-862-4163 or emailing ccarroll@s24515.p831.sites.pressdns.com.