Frog Follies
Written by Keith Fudge

Recently, we attended the 30th Annual Frog Follies right in our own backyard of Evansville, Indiana.  It was a homecoming of sorts for the gang at MCC as the pilot episode for the show was filmed here several years ago!  The Frog Follies is an event for pre-1949 cars and trucks and is one of the biggest, if not the largest, independent street rod shows in the country!  Held at the Vanderburgh County Fairgrounds, this event draws participants from coast to coast and features some of the wildest rides that you have ever seen!  After he arrived, Dennis found Steve Meyerholtz, President of the Evansville Iron Street Rod Club, the sponsor organization for the event. 

Steve told Dennis that he expected between 4,400 and 5,000 vehicles for the event that day.  In addition, he said the crowd would include more than 30,000 spectators, 15,000 of whom are street rodders!  Dennis remarked that the atmosphere is akin to a “family picnic.”  There was no doubt that this really enhanced the attendance.  Steve noted that the event was also for a good cause.  Other than using a small portion of the fees to cover operating expenses, all proceeds are donated to charity.  In fact, Steve stated that on average they donate approximately $100,000.00 each year!  Steve added that the event is conducted on a volunteer basis with all 49 club members taking on different duties.  That is because there are just so many things for participants to experience at the Frog Follies!  There is a Show & Shine and plenty of games for children.  There is also a “Boogie Bash” and a swap meet with more than 900 vendors!  With all these cool things to do, it would be difficult to see everything.  One place Dennis was going to see was the show area where he could take in a variety of these super street rods!   So, on a day that had sunshine and great cars, Dennis and Steve took a walk through the fairgrounds.

First, Dennis found Michael Davis and his “Built on a Budget” 1947 Chevy Coupe.  Michael told Dennis that the coupe had been built over a period of ten years and was definitely put together while watching his wallet.  He also said that the car only had 14,000 original miles on it when he purchased it.  On the inside, many of the stock parts, such as the speedometer are still being used.  However, Michael had to update the gauge by using a WD 40 straw for the needle!  On the exterior, he spared no expense with wheels as this bad boy sports a set of Boyd Coddington Customs with 18s on the rear and 17s up front to give it that definite street rod look.  Next, there is a custom set of LED lights mounted just beneath the rear window to serve as an extra set of turn signals and an additional brake light.  Michael said the lights came from a switchboard at a radio station.  Regarding all custom metal work on the vehicle, Michael said that he used sheet metal from discarded refrigerator doors or from old washers and dryers.  Now there is a creative approach to recycling!  Finally, under the hood was a 305 Chevy small block that had been tricked here and there.  Michael said that since he drives the car on a daily basis, he wanted something that would get good mileage.  He reported that he gets about 20 miles per gallon!  This sweet car is proof that you can build a street rod on a budget if you are just creative!

Next, Dennis found Paul Faught and quite a pair of custom rides!  First, we’ll talk about the “hauler,” which is a customized 1941 Cab-Over-Engine Chevy.  This mega-machine has been cut and then widened 24 inches.  The inside features a luxury leather interior and three DVD players with flip-down screens.  Powered by a Cummins diesel engine and shifted through an Allison automatic tranny, this bad boy is a cruiser that is hard to beat!  Now, let’s talk a bit about the “haul-ee.”  To complete this big rig, Paul has built a matching 1937 Ford.  Powered by a Chevy LT1 engine, this rad ride is all business!  Thanks Paul—Keep on Truckin’!  Soon, Dennis came across one of his favorite cars:  a 1937 Lincoln Zephyr Coupe.  Tom Carter is the owner of this remarkable car and told Dennis that he has had the vehicle for approximately three years.  Tom said that basically everything on the exterior is original except the paint which is 1994 Cadillac Black Cherry.  On the interior, the original seats remain, although they have been updated in premium leather.  In addition, Tom noted that some of the gauges had been replaced.  These classics were originally powered by a V-12 engine, but Tom has updated this one with a 429 Ford taken from a 1975 Thunderbird.  Topped off with a Cadillac air cleaner, this Zephyr is built to the hilt and ready to roll.  Tom said this is his fourth year at the Frog Follies and that it is a great show! 

Well, if drop-tops are your thing, Dennis sure found a sweet one in Ken Mitchell’s 1936 Ford.  Customized with touches such as 1940 Chevy headlight buckets and 1959 Caddy taillights, this baby was ready to rumble.  Speaking of rumble, there was also a power rumble seat in the back!  Running a souped-up legendary Ford Flathead V-8, the power is guided through a C-4 tranny and is pumped to the Ford 9-inch rear end.  Ken said the Flathead was built by Motor City Flathead in Detroit and features Edelbrock heads and a blower system.  The car has also been lowered and features Air-Ride suspension.  Painted in Black Suede acrylic lacquer, Ken says that he likes the color a lot but may change it.  Last, but certainly not least, Dennis visited with Jerry Jurden and his custom 1941 Willys.  Sporting a coat of Candy Pearl Tangerine paint and a leather interior with ostrich skin inserts in the seats, this fiberglass beast houses a 427 Chevy under the hood!  Lowered with an Air-Ride suspension system and with an interesting carburetor cover, all we can say is, “Roll on, Jerry!” 

Dennis and the crew had a great time at the 30th Annual Frog Follies.  If you would like to know more about this year’s event, or if you want information on next year’s show, just give them a visit on the web at www.frogfollies.org.  That’s it from Evansville, Indiana.  So until our next visit, remember; “Honor the timeless classics.  Happy Motoring!”