The Iola Old Car Show - F+W Media

passenger cars were manufacturedstarting in 1928 and ending in late 1960,when the last of the 1961 models wereassembled.The pair gathered last fall at CountyMaterials in Wisconsin Rapids to posefor the lens of Clay Miller, who againdesigned the Iola Old Car Show poster.In the foreground is 1957 De SotoAdventurer convertible, one of only 300built that model year. While rare thenand much rarer today, being a ChryslerCorp. convertible does not make it rarein the collection of George Collar andBob Brown. The pair own nine 1957-’61MoPar ragtops, with a few hardtopsfrom the era also thrown in.“In high school, I loved the convertiblesof that era with Virgil Exner styling,and they were only selling for $200-300 each on the back rows of used carlots,” Collar said.In 1983, he bought a 1958 De SotoFiresweep convertible, which began hisquest which was to later include Chrysler300 “Letter Series” hardtops andconvertibles, which he and Brown havecollected over the years. They and theircars appear each year in the Blue Ribbondisplay area at the Iola show.“We knew of this 1957 Adventurerconvertible that was perfect. It had beenrestored in Texas, was never driven andin a private collection in south Florida.We always asked if it was for sale,” Collarsaid.“In about 2005, we were shockedwhen told it indeed now was for sale.Making matters better, it came with fulldocumentation of its history and restoration,”he said.Now in rugged central Wisconsin,the De Soto has continued its easy life. Itis kept in a heated, air-conditioned andcarpeted building and used sparingly.A highlight was when it won its class(Class of ’57) at the Meadowbrook Concoursd’Elegance in 2007 in Michigan.“Driving the car across the awardstand to collect the trophy was a thrillingmoment,” Collar said. “De Sotoshad finally arrived.“I drive it twice a year in spring andfall — about seven careful miles. I hateto say it, but it is a trailer queen,” Collarnoted.Last year, Collar was contacted bythe Iola Old Car Show staff to have hiscar appear on the poster and he accepted.For the photo shoot, true to form, itwas trailered to the photo location.Collar also made it clear that amonghis collector vehicles, there are severaldrivers, including a 1961 Imperial convertiblehe regularly puts miles on.The De Soto wasn’t the only featurevehicle to ride a trailer to the photo session.The 1936 Dodge pickup arrived insimilar fashion, but not because it wasflawless like the Adventurer.The pickup was well known by OldCars Weekly Editor Angelo Van Bogart.When a prewar Dodge truck wasbeing sought for the show poster, it wassuggested to the car show staff.“My husband Henry, who saved thetruck from the junk yard and restoredit, died in late May of 2010. I had driventhe truck (with its non-syncromeshtransmission) many times, but was notup to the trip to Wisconsin Rapids,”Naomi said.The show arranged for the Dodge tobe trailered for the session.The story started in September 1970,when Hank bought the truck for $10 andsaved it from its final ride to the salvageyard. It was painted that year and mechanicalwork began to get it running.Instead of a show life, it returned toits intended roll as a work truck.“We put it to use hauling wood andsupplies when we built our house andgarage in 1972-’73,” Naomi added.It continued working until 1985when it was parked, showing mechanicalwear.“In spring of 2002, a restorationcommenced, which included an engineoverhaul, brakes and a rear axle/differentialfrom a Dodge Wayfarer. Afterthat, it was used for parades, attendingantique tractor and engine shows in thearea,” she noted.“We even used the truck to haul ourantique Wheel Horse garden tractor toa show at Chilton. We took the backroads on that trip,” Naomi related.Unlike the De Soto feature car,the Dodge pickup is not in perfectcondition.“It still got used as a work truck,”she added.Both the De Soto and Dodge truckwill be on display during the Iola OldCar Show in a corner of the feature tent.From time to time during the show, theowners are expected to be on hand toanswer questions and tell the rest of thestory.Collector coinscommemorate 2011Iola Old Car ShowIOLA ’11 once again features silverand bronze coins and copper coin keychains produced by Silver Towne Mintof Winchester, Ind.These coins are the 16th run inthe series of collector coins producedexclusively for the Iola Old Car Showand are detailed with this year’s postervehicles.Celebrating the theme “DelightfulDodges & De Sotos” the obverse willmirror the image of the IOLA ’11 showposter featuring a 1936 Dodge ModelLC 1/2 ton pickup and a 1957 De SotoAdventurer convertible.The reverse features the Iola OldCar Show logo and show date information.These coins are a great collector’sitem or gift for car show enthusiastsand are produced in limited quantities— get them before they’re gone!IOLA ’11 collector coins are availablefor $9 in bronze, $45 for the silvercoin and $10 for the copper key chain.The entire set is available for $59. If orderingvia mail, please include $5 perset for shipping and handling. Sorry,we do not accept credit cards.The coins will be available at theTower and Theme Exhibit tent duringthe show. To order, write to: IolaOld Car Show, PO Box 1, Iola, WI54945. For more information, call715-445-4000 or e-mail information@iolaoldcarshow.com.29