September 2011
FEATURE CARS
In 2011, DACC hosted the 29th Annual Lone Star Classic Chevy Convention
and it was
the largest in the event’s 29 year history. Over 250 Tri Five Chevys came out
from over 30 clubs, 10 states were represented and all makes and models of the
classic mid-fifty Chevys were in attendance at the event. With such a huge turnout
of beautiful Chevys, it is impossible to pick the ‘Top’ Chevy at the event. But... with
the help of DACC’s internet blogger Buddy Love (who attended the event
incognito), here’s his shot at picking some of the special Chevys that came to
this event and we will call it the ‘Top 5’ from Lone Star ‘29.' These Chevys
are not required to be a show winner or race winner, just a unique or special
Tri Five Chevy among a huge gathering of Chevys at this year’s event. In no
particular order here is Buddy Love’s selection of the Top 5 –
Chuck
White, 1955 210 Sedan, Fallbrook, California
Chuck has to be the ultimate Chevy guy. He drove his 55-year-old Chevy over
1700 miles to get to Irving. Once he got to Lone Star ‘29,’ he took advantage
of all of the events! Chuck was seen burning rubber in his ’55 at the drag
racing event, shined up the old car for competition in the judging event (where
he won a Gold Award!) and took part in the Poker Run cruise around the North
Texas countryside. You can’t have much more fun than Chuck did at Lone Star
’29’!
Sonny
Poteet, 1955 Bel Air Hardtop, Pearland, Texas
Now Sonny happens to drive pretty much anywhere he wants to in his blown big
block ’55 Bel Air. He built the car over 10 years ago and has racked up a bunch
of miles driving his bad to the bone Chevy at events like Cruisin the Coast, Hot
Rod Power Tour and more. Sonny was like a kid in a candy store when he came to
Lone Star because he wanted to take his shot at winning the drag racing event.
He was on his game as he did just that taking a big win in the Eliminator 1
Class! Sonny took his hot rod on the Poker Run for some fun cruising and then
he even did a big ‘Peel Out’ during the contest in honor of American Graffiti
star Candy Clark who was on hand. She didn’t pick Sonny as the best, but that
was because he just can’t do a peel out – he only knows how to bury the pedal
and smoke those big tires like no other!
Steve
Perry, 1956 Chevy Convertible, Bentonville, Arkansas
There is just something special and unique about a Chevy that has had a minimal
amount of restoration work done to it in the last 55 years. Steve’s ’56
Convertible was classified in the ‘Factory Original’ class at Lone Star ‘29’ and
that indicates that there has been less than 20% restoration on the car and
nothing is changed from how it came from the factory. This means belts, plug
wires, tires, etc. have been replaced and perhaps a tear in a seat or a small
dent in the fender has been repaired - but nothing else! Seeing the patina that
is unique to a car like this is like looking into a time capsule. Old cars are
only factory original once and when the owner begins repainting things, changing
motors, etc. that special condition is gone forever. It is very rare to see a
55-year-old car in a condition of ‘Factory Original.' Steve’s ’56 is definitely
a Top 5 Chevy from Lone Star ‘29’!
Greg
Graves, 1957 Chevy Ambulance, Manvel, Texas
No really, there was a 1957 Chevy Ambulance at Lone Star ‘29’! This is not a
factory production vehicle as Chevrolet was not in the business of ambulance
building. But in the industry there were companies that took production cars
and with a ‘little’ modification made vehicles such as ambulances. Greg Graves
came across this most unique of the ’55-’57 Chevys at a Texas swap meet needing
a lot of attention. The car was originally a 2 door sedan and today it still
has the original 283 cubic engine. Greg is slowly restoring his ambulance in
small steps at a time and is acquiring appropriate items all the time like
stretchers, sirens and the like to put this Chevy back as it was intended to be
when it was sacrificed for a life as an ambulance. Needless to say, this was
the only Chevy ambulance at Lone Star ‘29’!
Dave
Fletcher, 1957 Chevy Convertible, Brentwood, California
This was judged in the judging competition in the Restored 1957 Class, a very
tough class to show in at Tri Five Chevy events. But this is no ordinary
restored Chevy. Dave’s ’57 was judged as the PERFECT ’55-’57 Chevy during the
judging competition at Lone Star ‘29’, earning all 1000 points available on the
judging sheet from 3 different judges. Dave’s Chevy is absolutely gorgeous,
with its jet black paint job that has a flaw none and the stunning red
interior. This machine has the features also with the factory 2 four barrel
option and the ‘bat wing’ air cleaner, power steering and power brakes. This
car is what hard core Chevy enthusiasts dream about!
So there you
have it – the Lone Star ‘29’ Top 5 Chevys as selected by Buddy Love. Now Buddy
says “ask me another day and you likely would get a totally different list –
that’s just how difficult it is picking a Top 5 from the over 250 cars that
attended”!
To see a complete recap of the event, go to
www.LoneStarChevys.com and click on
the ‘Photo’ link where you will be taken to recaps of several of the past 29
years of Lone Star Classic Chevy Conventions!