Auto show rolls in 178 classic cars

Published 5:03 pm Monday, August 20, 2012

Submitted photo/ More than 175 vehicles were registered and displayed Saturday in downtown Dowagiac for the 22nd annual Rod and Roll Classic Auto Show.

The 22nd annual Rod and Roll Classic Auto Show rallied together owners and car enthusiasts Saturday to check out close to 200 vehicles that lined South Front Street and a portion of Commercial Street. A Dowagiac and Niles resident also received top car show honors.

The car show, hosted by the Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce, pulls in local and regional classic car owners for the chance to be named Best of Show, chosen as the Queen’s Choice or to receive door prizes. Patrons also are permitted, free of charge, to browse the vehicles and look inside or under the hoods. Dowagiac Auto Body, Who Knew Consignments and Honor Credit Union took part in organizing and operating the event, which started at 7:30 a.m. A parade of the vehicles registered took place at 3 p.m.

“We had 178 cars registered,” Jennifer Stolpe, of Dowagiac Auto Body, said. “That’s a pretty good number, and everything seemed to go really smooth.”

Stolpe said this was her second year running the auto show, explaining she was happy to have the help of Honor Credit Union employees, who helped with the door prizes and registration.

“They really helped out a lot,” Stolpe said Monday.

Miss Dowagiac Erica Greenwood was on hand to select her favorite car, which was awarded as Queen’s Choice. Ed Kazlauskas, of Dowagiac, entered and displayed his black and pink 1970 Dodge Challenger.

Greenwood also posed with the Best of Show winner. Niles resident Buck Clobridge entered and displayed his purple 1949 Mercury two-door, which boasted “suicide doors,” or doors that are hinged on the trailing edge of the door.

Stolpe said the car show received good attendance and a “beautiful day.”

“The weather helped make everything go smoothly,” Stolpe said.