Car show revs up crowd with list of ‘dream’ cars

by Chris Studor

The fourth-annual Hinckley Cars at the Cabin car shown featured a lineup of more than 100 vehicles, many of which were historical cars purchased by their owners and restored to their original glory.

They were joined in the Aug. 4 competition by a handful of other modern, fast and furious vehicles spread out on the lawn around the Brooklyn Exchange Club cabin to compete for trophies. These were no run-of-the-mill trophies though. They were handmade from old auto parts with Hinckley resident, Karl Kastl, assembling several of them.

When all the ballots were counted, this year’s first-place winner was Dennis Labbato and his 1958 Corvette.  Second Place went to Mike McCombs for his 1960 AMC Rambler; third place to Bob Brown for his 1937 Ford Packard.

The 2024 State Farm Insurance prize was awarded to David Krall for his Ford Bronco; the Hoppy Dudes Brews winner was Ron Wayda for his 1955 Ford Pickup; and the Club Choice winner was presented to Brian Barnum for his Chevrolet van.

More than $400 in cash door prizes were awarded throughout the day along with other door prizes and basket raffle items. Outstanding donations were made by the Hinckley Car Club with $750 donated to the Brooklyn Exchange Club, part of the National Exchange Club, which aides abused women and children and aids veterans. An additional $200 was donated to Cub Scout Troop 226, and $500 was donated to the SPCA along with two truckloads of pet supplies.

The Hinckley Car Club treated their guests to music by Larry Haws and the Octopus from Louisiana. One of the sponsors, John McGee of State Farm, passed out red and white footballs to children and tote bags filled with a plethora of goodies for the adults.

The picnic menu included pizza from Fosters Tavern of Hinckley, hot dogs and beer provided by Hoppy Dudes Brews.

While the prize-winners’ cars received a significant amount of attention during the event, other vehicles had their share of fans as well. Among the vehicles car admirers flocked to was a 1934 Ford, two-door, three-window coupe owned by George Tocharchick of Berea. Tocharchick said the car was built by his uncle and since he purchased it, he has performed several upgrades.

When asked what he thought attracted collectors to antique cars, he said it’s the styling.

“You don’t see that on many cars of today,” Tocharchick said. “My wife and I just enjoy going cruising in it.”

Another big attraction was a 1960 Rambler built by Mike McCombs of Chippewa Lake. McCombs’ wife, Karen, is as proud of the work of art as her husband.

“He did all the work himself,” she said proudly. “It took him two years just to find it. We just added the surf board to the top this year which my son painted.”

Dennis and Joyce Labbot of Hinckley brought their 1958, Chevrolet Corvette C-1 Roadster, with a four-speed manual transmission that features a 283 cubic-inch V8, 250 HP fuel injected engine.  Also attracting a crowd was a 1968 Pontiac Firebird owned by George Lemmerman, a member of the Hinckley Car Cub. Lemmerman said he did all the interior work on the vehicle himself. 

Club member Tom Biesiada of Hinckley said he recently travelled to Indiana to purchase a 1946 Ford.

“I think what attracts people to older cars is the memories associated with them,” said Biesiada. “So many new cars now look all the same, like boxes, these older cars had style and you can fix them yourself.”

At the opposite end of the spectrum was Scott and Lynn Kennedy of Hinckley who entered their 2018 Porsche GT-2 RS, which they have had for two years. The couple has raced vintage cars and Scott has raised and owned two Formula I cars over a 30-year span. His Formula I car has been clocked at over 200 miles an hour. ∞

Photo (above): Lucky winners received unique trophies, comprised of car parts, with several of the trophies made by Hinckley resident Karl Kastl (left) pictured with Jason Herb, president of the Hinckley Car Club. Photos by Chris Studor.

It took Mike McCombs, pictured with his wife, Karen, of Chippewa Lake, two years to find this 1960 Rambler. He did all the work on the car himself, with his son adding the finishing touch of a surf board perched on top of the car.

It’s the style of antique cars that appeals to car club member Tom Biesiada who recently purchased this 1964 Ford.