More than 100 vehicles were on display at last night’s car show in the parking lot of the Cadet Restaurant in Manor Township.
There were cars older than your grandfather, pickup trucks your grandfather drove, and vehicles your grandfather could only imagine in his dreams.
The Cadet Restaurant in Manor Township hosted the 2019 Kit-Han-Ne Car Club Cruise last night with over 100 antique, classic and unique cars in attendance.
Jerry Beck stands beside his “casket car” He is not sure how fast it will go because it is extremely light.
Can you imagine a hearse pulling a casket on wheels? Jerry Beck from Kittanning Township does it regularly. He had his “casket car” on display.
“It’s got a small block Chevy, a 350 automatic turbo… I bought it in North Carolina. It took a year and a half to build.”
When asked if people look at him going down the road, he said, “Definitely! That’s the fun thing about it!”
Mr. Weight brought his two-tone 1947 Plymouth Coupe. It was restored three years ago. As the owner of Weight Upholstery, Mr. Weight did all of the restoration of the interior upholstery himself.
“It has a 360 Chrysler engine and a 727 engine. It is all Mopar. It is fun to drive. It’s fun to get out and meet other people and get back to your younger years. My dad had a (car like this one) when I was younger, so that is one of the things that attracted me.”
This 1947 Plymouth Coupe was restored just three years ago. The upholstery was completely restored by Weight Upholstery.
This 1951 Ford F1 pickup truck has been restored to pristine condition. It is owned by Richard Riggle, who purchased it in Utah.
Parked next to Weight’s Plymouth was a 1951 Ford F1 pickup truck owned by Richard Riggle.
“I bought it in Utah last year,” Riggle said. “A good friend of mine was downsizing, and I bought it. This truck has a 318 Dodge engine and the running gear is all Dodge. It came out of a 1982 police interceptor.”
Riggle said he intends to keep the truck for a few years and take it to local car shows.
Mr. & Mrs. Roy Williamson prepare to leave last night’s car show in their 1935 Roadster sports car.
One of the most expensive cars on the lot last night was 1935 Ford Roadster owned by one of the Kit-Han-Ne Car Club members from Kittanning.
Its’ a rare automobile,” explained its owner, Roy Williamson. “Most people think it’s a convertible, but it is not. There are only two windows in this car - a windshield and a small window in the soft top. There are no windows in the doors of this car. There is a soft top that comes up from this car, but if you look at the doors of this car, there are no windows in the doors. There are side curtains that are attached to the doors of this car.”
Williamson said there in no heater in this car. It was only intended to be driven during spring, summer, and fall excursions.
“Back in the day, this was a sports car. The convertible had roll-up windows. This car was a more desirable car as I say it was the sports car of the day.”
The Roadster was actually built before Williamson was born.
“In my day, this was a used car, but highly desirable in my prime days. I and my older brother owned one of these back when we were young boys. And that car that we owned together drove the passion to get this car. I highly covet this car. My older brother is deceased and I wish he was here to enjoy this car today.”
Williamson said the sale at an auction could bring as much as $200,000.
“This is a very highly collectible automobile. It’s an extremely rare automobile. In the 84 years that this car has been in existence, we are the fourth owner of this car. It’s a very low mileage car and extremely good condition.”
Williamson said he and his wife enjoy riding in the car.
It runs like a sewing machine. It’s a beautifully running car. It’s a pleasure to drive this car.”
Roy Williamson serves hot dog to Donna Kovar. Her husband, Gary (background), routinely assists Williamson at his custom-built hot dog stand.
Williamson also owns the hot dog cart that was at the car cruise.
“I built it about six years ago. All the proceeds from this hot dog cart go to the veterans at Mechling-Shakley. “
Williamson said that last night’s event brought in about $200 for the veteran’s center.
“Through the course of the season, we will make about a thousand dollars. We do this every year.”
One phrase was heard over and over last night by hundreds of car enthusiasts - “This is fun!” And it was, for those who were owners of amazing vehicles and those who wish they had one.