Elizabethon Car Show
Written by Keith Fudge

Hidden in the hills of East Tennessee is the town of Elizabethton.  For almost a quarter of a century, this beautiful town has been the host of the Elizabethton Car Show.  Just a few months ago, Dennis and the crew went to Tennessee to witness this great event.  After he arrived, Dennis spoke with Event Organizer, Ron McCloud, who told him that this was the show’s 24th year and the third year since they had moved the show to downtown Elizabethton.  Ron said that the entire community is involved in the event and the show serves as a fundraiser for charity.  Elizabethton is rich in the collector car and cruising tradition as it hosts weekly cruise-ins for those who want to participate!  There were so many great cars here that Dennis couldn’t wait to get involved and see them!

First, Dennis found Milburn Hubbard and his 1954 Plymouth Plaza Business Coupe.  Sporting a two-toned green and cream exterior and matching interior, this car has been in Milburn’s possession since 1965!  Updated with billet aluminum and rich leather, this car is a cruiser’s dream.  Under the hood there is plenty to talk about as the original Flathead 6 has been replaced with a 385 cubic-inch GM crate motor that makes about 430 horsepower!  Milburn says that he loves the show at Elizabethton and that it is a beautiful place.  Next, Dennis saw a bit of Haight-Ashbury in Scott Brown’s yellow and white VW Van.  With only 34,000 original miles, this magic bus still has the original suspension.  Yellow and white curtains complement the stock two-toned interior and make this one look as if it just rolled off the showroom floor.  Scott says that they drive the VW often.  With four children it sure does come in handy!  Debbie Daniels is the owner of an awesome 1959 Chevy Brookwood Station Wagon.  Painted in black and silver and sporting a red leather interior with 1960 black Cadillac fabric inserts, Debbie said that she designed the car completely!  This cool cruiser is truly one hot rod wagon.  It even has a surfboard mounted in the headliner to prove it!  With air-ride suspension and a 350 Chevy fitted with three deuces, this wagon is meant for drivin’.  The next car that caught Dennis’s eye was a good-lookin’ 1952 Henry J!  Owned by Roy Reed, this green hornet has been customized to feature a new grille, leather seats with lumbar support, and wood trim.  However, it is what’s under the hood that really makes folks take notice:  a 454 Chevy big block!  Roy said that the firewall was moved back approximately eight or nine inches to accommodate the massive power plant.  He also mentioned that the car is now equipped with a Mustang front end and rack and pinion steering.  Finally, Dennis found the wildest rat rod ever!  Gary Hite is the owner of this “Police Rat Rod” that contains just about everything but the kitchen sink!  Gary purchased the car in Charlotte, North Carolina.  If we were to describe everything on it, we would be here for quite a while.  However, here are some of the high points.  Since this resembles a paddy wagon and is meant to haul around the bad boys, we start with a set of welded handcuffs for the accelerator pedal and a padlock for a security system.  Barbed wire keeps the passengers cozy in the back.  Up front there are such amenities as a boot for a cup holder, and only the finest chains are used for seat belts!  A kitchen colander and part of an outdoor grill are used for a tail light, with the lens made from a red plastic drinking glass!  Under the hood it is just as bizarre with one Olds and one Caddy valve cover, with half of the engine painted green and the other half blue!  Reliability is all that matters here, and the 307 Olds engine has proven worthy as it recently made an 800 mile trip to Bowling Green, Kentucky!  Just in case you are wondering, Gary said the car was 100% street legal! 

Dennis and the crew had a great time at Elizabethton.  This year’s show will take place on June 2.  If you would like more information about the 2007 event, just give them a visit at www.cartercountycarclub.com.  That’s the scoop from beautiful East Tennessee.  So until our next visit, “Honor the timeless classics.  Happy Motoring!”