James Dean Run
Written by Keith Fudge

Not long ago, Dennis Gage and the gang had a chance to travel to Fairmount, Indiana to join the celebration of its most famous resident - James Dean!  The James Dean Run is now in its 26th year and attracts a host of cars and legendary hot rodders.  Gene Winfield was on hand for this year’s show.  Gene is a pioneer in the creation of “lead sled” customs, particularly Mercurys.  He told Dennis that he began his involvement in the business by racing and building flathead engines and then turned his efforts to full-time custom car design.  This year marked Gene’s sixth trip to the show which must mean that it is a really good event!  Soon after he arrived, Dennis also ran onto Matt Thompson, Chairman of the Event.  He told him a bit about the show and its history.  Matt said that the show started with a bunch of friends who gathered downtown on the anniversary of James Dean’s tragic and untimely death.  What started as a group of 10 cars has now turned into a national gathering of 2,800 customs and classics!  Matt noted that folks from coast-to-coast come to the Midwest for this event.  In addition, of all the entries, there would be more than 500 “lead-sled Mercs” on display!  When Dennis heard about this, he could not stand still any longer.  He had to get out and meet some of the owners and see their fantastic rides.

Dennis’ first stop truly proved that this gathering is “all about Mercs” as he talked to Mike Lanning, the owner of a sweet two-toned Mercury lead sled.  Outfitted in canary yellow and white, this low and lean beauty features air-ride suspension, custom exhausts, and a DeSoto grille.  Inside, the car has a matching yellow and white tuck-and-roll leather interior.  In front of the steering wheel is a custom 1953 Olds dash.  Under the hood is the tried and true 350 Chevy that delivers its power through a TH 350 transmission.  Next, Dennis found Glen Krewet and his rat rod truck.  Built from a 1936 Dodge cab and bed and resting on a hand crafted chassis, this hot rod hauler is all about getting down to business.  On the tech side of things, the truck features a Chrysler rear end, transmission cooler, and front disc brakes.  Power is supplied by a small-block Chevy complete with an Offenhauser manifold and Holley carburetor.  On the nostalgic side, this bad boy features a beer keg for the gas tank, and there is a hip blanket that is used for seat covers!  Next on the list were J. Wayne Jones and his 1951 Ford, a car that he has owned for 50 years!  The car was chopped in 1980 and has undergone some significant changes.  Painted in red with blue flames, the car sports 1956 Lincoln tail lights and headlights from a 1959 Chevy.  Under the hood is a 1953, 331 cubic-inch Hemi engine.  This car looks awesome and has had a half-century of attention from the same owner.  Pretty amazing!  One of the most unique cars that we had the chance to see was Allen Morgan’s 1929 DeSoto four-door “rat rod.”  This car is truly a Frankenstein of sorts as it contains parts from several other vintage cars, including a 327 Chevy with Cadillac valve covers, a 1940 model dash with a 1954 gauge cluster, and seats from a 1932 Ford.  Adorned in black satin paint, according to its owner this long drop-top rides and drives like a dream!  Last, but certainly not least, Dennis spoke with Scott Higgs and his incredible 1936 Roadster.  This car has all the goodies including one of the sweetest paint jobs we had ever seen:  Sherwin Williams Honeydew Pearl with Gold overlay!  The car has a fiberglass body and is equipped with air-ride suspension.  The interior is as fancy as the outside, as it is covered in quilted velvet upholstery that took 60 days to complete.  Other amenities include a television, CD player, and air conditioning.  In other words, and as Scott says, “It’s a modern car!”  It’s a darned fine one if we say so ourselves.  On the way out, Dennis did a double take.  He thought he had seen the ghost of the legend himself walking through the crowd.  However, it was David Wozniak doing his best impression of the American icon for whose memory the show is held.

Everyone had a great time in Fairmount, Indiana.  If you want to know more about the event, you can find information at www.jamesdean.com. That’s it from America’s Heartland, so until our next trip, “Honor the timeless classics.  Happy Motoring!”