Classic cars, custom rides, motorcycles, trucks, tractors, and plenty of spectators packed downtown Minden Saturday as the Vintage Car Club of Minden held its 18th Annual Car and Bike Show under sunny skies.
The September 12 show brought a wide variety of vehicles to the downtown area, where visitors spent the day walking among the rows of entries, visiting with vehicle owners, taking photos, and enjoying food, games, and entertainment.
This year’s event also celebrated a trio of anniversaries — the 250th anniversary of the United States, Minden’s 190th anniversary, and the Vintage Car Club’s 18th annual show.
Mayor Nick Cox highlighted all three — along with one considerably less welcome addition — as he opened the morning ceremony.
“Look, this is our country’s 250th year, this is our city’s 190th year, and the Vintage Car Club’s 18th year, and this year, for a special treat, we’ve brought in lovebugs,” Cox said, drawing laughter from the crowd as the insects made their presence known throughout the show.
Cox told those gathered that the vehicles filling downtown represented more than automotive history.
“When you walk around, you’ll see old cars. But you’re not just seeing cool cars and cool bikes and tractors, you’re also — if you stand there and talk to the owner for a little bit — seeing the story. Every vehicle has a story, a reason for why they have it, history behind it.”
He spoke about the connections that can develop around those vehicles — fathers and sons and daughters, as well as other family members working together on cars and trucks. Other owners, he said, restore vehicles because they remind them of one they owned in high school or another chapter of their lives.
Those stories were on display alongside the vehicles themselves throughout the day, with the large turnout giving owners and visitors plenty of opportunities to swap memories and talk about restorations, modifications, and automotive history.
The opening ceremony also included a prayer by Pastor Eric Futrell of Emmanuel Baptist Church and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Dr. Richard Campbell. Josh Davis delivered a standout performance of the national anthem before the day’s activities continued.
Among the special attractions was the Kary Bryce Collection of antique cars and trucks. Corvettes, MGs, big rigs, and numerous other vehicles added to the variety on display.
Event organizer Kathy Nelmas thanked those who helped make this year’s show possible.
“On behalf of the Vintage Car Club of Minden, a big thank you to all our sponsors who supported us this year for the car show,” Nelmas said. “And a big thank you to our judges for helping us out this year. And to all spectators that came out to support us, thank you.”
The winners provided by the Vintage Car Club are as follows:
Antique Class A1, 1900-1925: First, Danny Neubert.
Antique Class A2, 1926-1959: First, Tyrone Emery; second, Dan Foster; third, Shelley and Danny Francis.
Antique Class A4 Modified, 1900-1925: First, Shelley and Danny Francis.
Antique Class A5 Modified, 1926-1959: First, Robert Collier; second, Robert “Bubba” Byrd; third, Warren Anderson.
Sport & Muscle Class SMC1, 1960-1975: First, Matthew Duet; second, Jamie Lindberg; third, Kary Bryce.
Sport & Muscle Class SMC2, 1976-1985: First, Quince Plunkett.
Sport & Muscle Class SMC3, 1986-2000: First, Mark Griffith; second, Aaron Wright; third, Christi Ruple.
Sport & Muscle Class SMC4, 2001-2010: First, Marty Moss.
Sport & Muscle Class SMC5, 2011-present: First, Jared Harper.
Corvette Class C1, 1952-1962: First, Robert Blake; second, Kary Bryce.
Corvette Class C2, 1963-1967: First, Jay Jones; second, Kary Bryce.
Corvette Class C3, 1968-1982: First, Patrice Harper; second, Sean Doyle; third, Kary Bryce.
Corvette Class C4, 1984-1996: First, Roy Scroggins.
Corvette Class C5, 1997-2004: First, Brian Westcott; second, Kathy Staton; third, Mark Kendrix.
Corvette Class C6, 2005-2010: First, Sharon Schultz; second, Johnny Whittaker; third, Poochie Gipson.
Corvette Class C7, 2014-2019: First, Teddy Washington; second, Calvin Williams; third, Otis Marshall.
Corvette Class C8, 2020-present: First, Kenneth Shields; second, Troy Evans Sr.; third, Jody Evans.
Mustang Class M1, 1964 1/2-1967: First, Jay Jennings; second, Chris Perry; third, Ed Coderre.
Mustang Class M2, 1968-1970: First, Mark Naron.
Mustang Class M5B, 1984-1993: First, Charlie L. White Jr.
Mustang Class M7, 1999-2004: First, Dale Swayze.
Mustang Class M8, 2005-2009: First, Scott Berger.
Mustang Class M9, 2010-2014: First, James Meriae.
Mustang Class M10, 2015-present: First, Adam Petty.
Mopar Class, 1962-1978: First, Calvin Brown; second, Brian Griffith; third, Bob Slansky.
Import & Miscellaneous Class, all years and import makes: First, Tripp Carter; second, Dwane Odom; third, Kary Bryce.
Domestic Class, present original and slightly modified cars: First, Stanley Lamell; second, Derrick Hill; third, Wilbur Cox Jr.
Street Rod 1, 1900-1959: First, Dale Williams; second, Gary Robinson; third, Carl Lindsey.
Truck Class 1, original, any year: First, Ron Bridges; second, Ronny Davis; third, Terry Beckham.
Truck Class 2, customized, any year: First, Aimee Haughton; second, Gary Robinson; third, Jerry Davis.
Jeep Class, any year: First, Jay Valentine; second, Kary Bryce; third, Kary Bryce.
Rat Rod, any year, chopped, lowered, and painted: First, David Landry; second, Bill Ford.
Tractor Class T3, any make or model: First, Ronny Davis.
Motorcycle Class MC3 Shadow, any make, upright rider: First, Tim McKenzie; second, Caleb Morgan; third, Hayden Jones.
