7/19/2010
By JOEL PRUETT Salina Journal

Though many Salina area residents may be attending the Leadsled Spectacular to see the classic cars, one local auto shop has more than viewing in mind.

Since the Kustom Kemps of America event came to Salina in 2005, Dean Gerberding, a Bright Built Hot Rods employee, has used the event as an opportunity to make his employer known.

"You gotta keep your name out there," Gerberding said. "There's no better advertising than people physically seeing what you've done. You've gotta show them what you can do."

Gerberding said Bright Built, a car restoration shop, gets started early -- even before the spectacular gets going.

"We do a kick-off party on Thursday night before the event," he said. "We kind of get everything started for the weekend."

Bright Built owner Keith Bright said his company will be on location from Friday to Sunday with a booth and classic cars.

Gerberding said Bright Built will show a 1958 Buick station wagon and a 1932 Ford roadster.

"It's going to be a very broad variety of vehicles, tastes and designs," Gerberding said. "I just think it's going to be a really good show."

A family tradition

Gerberding said work isn't the only thing that attracts him to the event. There's also family history.

"My personal family has been involved with Kustom Kemps of America since it started," Gerberding said. "It's a family thing."

His father, Gary Gerberding, 71, of Grand Island, Neb., has been involved in classic car shows for 52 years and even has a special role in the 30-year-old Leadsled Spectacular, which is organized by KKOA President Jerry Titus.

"My dad gives away a trophy in honor of Eldon Titus, Jerry's brother," Dean Gerberding said. "He's going to do it every year until he can't anymore, and then maybe I'll take it over."

Too many for Thomas Park

Jerry Titus said attendees can expect a lot of new things this year, including a different venue. Previous shows had been at Thomas Park, but the availability of electricity, parking and bathrooms has posed a problem. However, Titus said, the biggest challenge was finding enough room for last year's 3,200 spectators and all the cars.

"We just had to get out of Thomas Park -- it had to happen for the event to grow," Titus said. "Last year, with 1,033 cars, the park was completely full."

With this year's show being a major anniversary, Titus expects a significant increase, possibly as many as 1,200 to 1,500 cars on Saturday.

With the move to Oakdale, the show has room to grow.

"We have the capability of growing to 2,000 to 3,000 cars now," Titus said. "So you're going to see a really big show."

Some new events

He said attendees can look forward to repeat events, like the Panel Jam & Auction, where various items pinstriped throughout the day will be auctioned, as well as new events, such as the Zoomie Fire-Fest, where drivers fire-up five 240-mph dragsters.

Also new are the Miss Leadsled Spectacular Pin-Up Beauty Contest and the Leadsled Spectacular Ultimate Doo Wop Concert.

Titus said the beauty contest will be hosted by Pinups Salon, and entrants will display clothing, makeup and hair styles from the 1940s, '50s and '60s. Melinda Bailey, owner of the salon, said those interested in participating should bring a brief bio to the pinups tent at Oakdale Park Friday afternoon or Saturday morning. She said the event is being nationally advertised and contestants may be photographed by editors of Ol' Skool Rodz and Car Kulture DeLuxe magazines. She said Pinups will not provide hair or makeup services.

Titus said beauty contestants will be judged by famous customizers, such as George Barris, Gene Winfield and John D'Agostino, and three contest finalists will hand out trophies during the Sunday awards ceremony. He said this will not be a burlesque show.

Doo Wop Concert

The concert will focus on '50s and '60s music featuring a number of Cher and Roy Orbison impersonators. Attendees can expect music throughout Saturday with five stage acts, including performers such as the rock-a-billy band Psycho DeVilles, from Atlanta, and Brian Dunning & the Rock-A-Billy Trio, of Oklahoma City.

Titus several celebrities, such as actress Linda Vaughn, of "Stroker Ace," and actor Paul Le Mat, of "American Graffiti," will have booths from Friday through Sunday.

Even with the new venue and attractions, Titus said, the spectacular's focus will remain on those '50s and '60s kustom kemps.

"Our goal is to make Salina America's hot rodding playground," Titus said. "Come here with your hot rods and let's play around."

nReporter Joel Pruett can be reached at 823-6464, ext. 149, or by e-mail at jpruett@salina.com.

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