By Kim McDarison
Some 70 vehicles, all entrants in the 37th Annual Whitewater Fourth of July Car Show, lined the municipal parking lot and grassy area across the street from the Whitewater Municipal Building Saturday.
The one-day show was among attractions offered at the Whitewater Fourth of July Festival.
Among committee members who organized the car show, spokesperson Chad O’Leary, of Milton, said this year’s event brought a very successful turnout, with more cars entering the show than last year.
He, and his wife, Jessica, displayed their vehicle, a 1958 Chevy Biscayne.
Among car enthusiasts displaying vehicles was Elmer Keske, Whitewater, who shared information about his 1954 Ford Mainline four-door.
He purchased the car about four years ago, he said, attracted to the make and model because it was the same as one he owned in his youth.
“I owned one just like it when I was 18. That one went to the junkyard,” he said. The one on display Saturday was purchased in Texas, he added.
After he purchased the car, he was rummaging around his property when he found his license plate from the vehicle he had in his youth.
Harry and Cindee Lenius, Watertown, said they were attracted to their 1957 Chevy Bel Air in part, Cindee said, “because we fell in love with the color.”
The bright blue vehicle was rebuilt 25 years ago, in 1995, Harry said. A framed collage of photographs on display with the car documented its restoration.
“The vehicle is all stock,” Harry added.
Don Morris, Elkhorn, brought a 1959 Chevy Corvette to the show.
Whitewater resident Rod Lorenz said he has owned his 1953 Chevy pickup 3100 five-window for 29 years.
Five years ago, he said, he brought the car to Perfect Auto in Burlington to have it “completely redone.” he received the car in its new condition Friday, just in time for the show.
“I love the big fender trucks. I drove it for many years,” he said, before he chose to have it restored.
The color of the paint is a feature they also enjoy, Lorenz, and his girlfriend, Jane Roberts, said.
The color is called Rose Metallic, Roberts noted. Lorenz said he attended the Indianapolis 500 in 2017 and saw a Corvette with the color. It was the only year that Corvettes were painted with the color, Roberts said. Lorenz liked it so much he had it painted on his truck.
Milton resident Steve Hatlen arrived with his 1997 Dodge Viper GTS. He has owned the car since 1997 and has kept it in its original condition, he said.
“Everything is original except the engine. I put a super charger on it,” he said.
In 1989, Hatlen said, he went to the Chicago Auto Show.
“They had a prototype there. The original came out in 1992. In 1996, they had a hardtop,” he said.
A year later, he decided to buy one before they stopped building them, he added.
Bobby Dworak, Burlington, and a former race car driver, said he purchased his 1938 Ford Humpback because he wanted something different.
He found the vehicle some 7 years ago, describing it as “partially in this condition.”
He has been restoring it since and said there is still more work to be done.
The car has been a hobby car for most of its life, Dworak said.
Attracting visitors to the Whitewater VFW tent was a 2011 Chevy Camaro owned by Mecum Auctions, which, VFW Post 5470 Quartermaster Curtis Lemke said, was on loan to the post to help with its ongoing fundraising efforts to build a new VFW center in Whitewater.
Plans call for the VFW to purchase an 1860-vintage cream brick building located in Whitewater at the corner of Walworth Avenue and Janesville Street.
In 2018, Lemke said, the former VFW building in Whitewater was razed to make room for apartments.
“There is a need for a VFW building because there are a lot of vets in the area, including student vets and ROTC members on campus. The car helps us bring attention to the project. It will be in the parade on Monday,” Lemke said.
Also on hand in support of the VFW project were Jason Dean and his wife, Jessica. Jason is the commander of Post 5470. The couple lives in LaGrange. Jason is running for an open Wisconsin Assembly seat in district 31 which will be decided this fall.
At the end of the day Saturday, O’Leary noted, five People’s Choice awards were given to car show participants. The awards were presented to car show winners with help from winners of Friday’s Miss Whitewater pageant.
The winners are:
Photos from the car show follow.
Harry and Cindee Lenius, Watertown, display their 1957 Chevy Bel Air. The vehicle was among 70 participating in the 37th Annual Whitewater Fourth of July Car Show and a recipient of one of the show’s five People’s Choice awards. The one-day show was held Saturday near Cravath Lakefront Park.
Don Morris, Elkhorn, displays his 1959 Chevy Corvette.
Jane Roberts, Florida, and Rod Lorenz, Whitewater, flank a 1953 Chevy pickup 3100 five-window. Lornez has owned the vehicle for 29 years. Five years ago, the vehicle began a restoration process which was completed Friday.
Several vehicles greet event-goers from their display space across the street from the Whitewater Municipal Building.
Vehicles of all color and vintage are on display. The one-day car show was held Saturday.
Two photos above: a variety of cars await viewing.
Milton resident Steve Hatlen, at left, stands near his 1997 Dodge Viper GTS. He has owned the car since 1997 and has kept it in its original condition, he said.
Bobby Dworak, Burlington, stands with his 1938 Ford Humpback. A former race car driver, he said he purchased the vehicle because he wanted something different.
Pretty in purple, a car show entrant awaits viewing.
Car show organizing committee spokesperson Chad O’Leary holds one of five People’s Choice plaques which were awarded at the end of Saturday’s show.
A 1958 Chevy Biscayne owned by Chad and Jessica O’Leary, Milton, stands on display Saturday.
Two photos above: Event-goers are treated to a view both inside and out of the “Al Capone” car. The 2006 Chrysler 300 is owned by Lake Mills resident Mario Ortiz.
Whitewater VFW Post 5470 Quartermaster Curtis Lemke, at left, post Commander Jason Dean, at right, and his wife, Jessica, flank a 2011 Chevy Camaro owned by Mecum Auctions, which, Lemke said, was on loan to the post to help with its ongoing fundraising efforts to build a new VFW center in Whitewater.
Kim McDarison photos.
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