North Lawrence Career Center auto show draws 80 entries
BEDFORD — From a 1925 Ford Model T to the sleekest sports car still holding onto the new-car smell, the North Lawrence Career Center Automotive Technology show didn't lack for variety.
About 80 entries filled the band practice lot at Bedford North Lawrence High School Wednesday. Most of the entries are brought by students. Some bring their personal vehicles, others pull something from their family's collection. BNL juniors Blake and Ryan Max did both, bringing a 1977 Triumph Spitfire and their dad's 1925 Ford Model T and 1929 fire engine.
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The Model T was quite the attraction as students took turns trying to get it started, with one student manning the hand crank and Ryan in the front seat at the wheel.
Karl Max, their father, said when his sons learned to drive, he insisted they practice on the Model T "because I wanted them to learn to drive on a Model T." With its wooden spoke wheels, skinny tires and pedals marked "A" and "B," the black antique stood out among the more modern cars, trucks and motorcycles at the show. Karl said he bought it on eBay from a seller in Florida. It had been used in a movie and the owner was ready to part with it.
For Karl getting the Model T was part of his plan to collect a car from each decade, which he has nearly completed.
His sons said they didn't mind learning to drive on a car that is 90 years old and has zero bells and whistles.
"Everything was easy after driving that," said Blake.
Other vehicles are brought in at the invitation of the NLCC. These include rare vehicles, restored ones or those in the restoration process. Ricky Kinser, owner of Realgone Kustoms in Heltonville, brought a 1950 Mercury V-8. He acquired the car about 10 years ago, he said.
"The guy who had it worked the lights for IU Auditorium," Kinser said. "He parked it in 1975 and didn't drive it after that."
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It was in pretty rough shape by the time Kinser got it. Rust had taken over. He salvaged what he could, lifted up the body and placed it on the frame of an old Chevy Caprice.
He also brought a 1953 Chevy truck, with a white bed and gold cab, that he restored. It had been an old farm truck when he found it. Kinser said working on classic autos has gone from a hobby to a business. His next project is a 1945 Willys Jeep, which might show up at next year's auto show.
Brad Grow, NLCC automotive teacher, said Wednesday's show was one of the most diverse he could remember.
"The turnout has been great," Grow said. "We even have a bass boat here that's affiliated with the BNL fishing club."
The best part of the day, he said, is seeing the students interact and share stories and information about their vehicles.
In addition to the vehicles, the show had plenty to offer. There were food trucks, military recruiters, an Ivy Tech mobile agriculture lab and lots of games. Two medical helicopters — StatFlight and Lifeline — flew in and landed at BNL for students to tour, the Shawswick Volunteer Fire Department demonstrated its extrication tools and the Bedford Police Department brought its crisis response vehicle.
The NLCC criminal justice program invited students to wear goggles that simulate driver impairment while pedaling a three-wheeled cart.
Contact Times-Mail Staff Writer Carol Johnson at cjohnson@tmnews.com or 812-277-7252.
This article originally appeared on The Times-Mail: North Lawrence Career Center car show draws 80 entries
