Customizers show off their pride-and-joys at car show

By TIM UNRUH

Salina Journal

Music from Elvis, Johnny Cash and others blared in Thomas Park as Edward Blassingame buffed his 1936 Ford three-window coupe.

The car enthusiast from Wynnewood, Okla., was hoping for some shade but happily settled for the sunny spot to show off his custom car and enjoy the weekend.

"I believe they look better in the shade. The sun shows too many streaks ...," said Blassingame, 69, a retired union electrician.

Some of the expected 15,000 or more spectators at the Kustom Kemps of America 29th annual Leadsled Spectacular Custom Car Show this weekend were trickling into the north Salina park, where 800 hot rods, custom cars and drag racers were anticipated.

"This is a great show. Every year you get to see something new," Blassingame said.

Drag races at the East Crawford Recreation Area, a visit from former "Three's Company" television star Joyce Dewitt, rock 'n' roll legend Charlie Gracie and custom car gurus -- including two from the "Monster Garage" TV show -- are included on the list of celebrities.

But Blassingame is among the main attractions: the enthusiasts and the cars they modified to meet their fantasies, who gathered to show them off in the park.

"The goal is drive it here and have a lot of fun," he said. "Meeting people and answering questions, to me, is what makes the world go 'round."

His '36 Ford is fashioned with a 1937 Cadillac LaSalle grille, a "reshaped" 1940 Ford bumper guard, a 1940 Oldsmobile rear bumper guard and a 1949 Ford taillight.

"I've dreamed about building this car since I was 12. I bought the hubcaps and kept them in my mother's attic," Blassingame said. "My uncles and dad were all car nuts, and it just rubbed off on me, big time."

Each of his three children were given a restored car when they graduated from high school.

Artwork on wheels

Dozens of the fancy art forms on wheels were already on display Friday morning in the park. There was a wide range of colors, many enhanced with chrome. Car lovers are welcome with a paid admission. Tickets cost $12 today for the show, which is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; 12 and younger free. The show continues from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.

"The only rule is don't drool on the cars," said Jamie Dillinger, of Seneca, Mo., the show's head attendant.

The gathering feeds the fascination of car lovers, said Jimie Hendricks, Pink, Okla., who calls himself the show's official "Hey Boy." In other words, "Hey, boy, take care of this," he said, while directing traffic from a golf cart.

"You can talk to the people who own the cars. They customize them, build them their way," Hendricks said. "They improve on what Detroit did and do it to their satisfaction."

Finding parts a mystery

A wide range of vendors are here, as well, peddling everything from T-shirts, accessories and food to hard-to-find body parts, engines and entire hot rods.

Ken Aldridge, a parts buyer, seller and trader from Chase, said the market for antique and rare parts is a bit soft, thanks to the down economy and Internet trade.

"EBay kind of ruined it a little bit," he said.

Paul Kruse, of Gypsum, who is displaying a 1957 Chevy, has purchased "a lot of stuff" from Aldridge, including engines.

Finding parts is like a mystery to some.

Exhibitor Jim Barron, of Wardell, Mo., stopped to inquire about a rare intake manifold for a 1957 Cadillac. No luck at Aldridge's stand.

"I've been looking for years. Stuff for old Cadillacs is really hard to find," Barron said. "You've just gotta go ask and somebody will know somebody ..."

While there's not as much money in parts, the process is still enjoyable, Aldridge said.

"You meet a lot of good people and make some new friends," he said. "That's what it's all about."

n Reporter Tim Unruh can be reached at 822-1419 or by e-mail at tunruh@salina.com.

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