COLDWATER, MI — After 38 years, the Coldwater Swap Meet and Car Show continued to draw classic Model Ts and fast and furious sleek power cars to its annual Mother’s Day weekend event.
More than 660 vehicles officially registered, with even more arriving on Saturday, May 9, joined by thousands of spectators.
The car show, now primarily on Saturday, concluded with a downtown cruise from the Fairgrounds at 3 p.m.
Many attendees came to relive fond memories from their youth.
Younger visitors admired both the legendary cars they’d heard about from family and the muscle cars of today.
Owners eagerly shared the stories behind their cars:
The Rat Rod
Branch County car enthusiast Rich Cummings, an 80-year-old engineer and longtime builder, transformed a burned-out 1931 Ford Model A—once left as yard art after a barn fire—into a head-turning custom rat rod that draws crowds from Michigan to Florida.
Cummings rebuilt the vehicle into a drivable rat rod powered by a 1946 Waukesha fire truck engine. Unique features like a shotgun-style gear shifter and a surprisingly smooth ride make it stand out.
Cummings drives his creation long distances, including a memorable winter trip from Michigan to Key West in 2013. The car consistently attracts admiration everywhere it goes.
Johnson’s 1934 LaSalle
Brothers Flip, Ted, and Dave Johnson proudly displayed their father’s 1934 LaSalle, a rare family heirloom. Their father found the car abandoned on a farm after its college “party car” days and carefully restored it, keeping many original components.
The father once paid $100 to get back the stolen hood ornament he had searched for for 17 years, rather than prosecute the youth who took it.
LaSalle, produced by General Motors as Cadillac’s companion brand, combined luxury and affordability, making surviving models rare. With only about 7,000 built in 1934, these cars are highly valued by collectors.
Now cared for by the Johnson brothers, the LaSalle symbolizes their father, Horatio “JJ” Johnson’s dedication to and passion for this classic automobile.
Knowles Ford/Chevy Mix
Richard Knowles first acquired his car as a collection of parts stacked on a trailer, immediately envisioning a street rod.
Beginning in the 1980s, he patiently rebuilt the car piece by piece, transforming scattered parts into a fully functioning automobile.
The result is more than a restoration: While the car retains its classic Model A body, Richard gave it new life with a Chevrolet engine and transmission.
He drove it often, even taking it to Tennessee, where it proved its reliability over long distances.
To his daughter Laurie Hardy, the car remains a cherished family treasure. She plans to keep it in the family, passing it down to her daughters.
Family ties Studebaker Lark
Tony Gaby of Elkhart, Indiana, owns a 1962 Studebaker Lark that brings back memories of his high school days. It was his first car in 1976, chosen for its affordability and simplicity.
The Navy man found this car 27 years ago while stationed in San Diego. Despite its rough condition, Gaby saw potential.
He spent a year rebuilding it on the Navy base, drove it home, and has customized it ever since. It still wears its original paint, now complemented by personal touches, such as orange seats inspired by his wife.
Built in South Bend, where Tony’s grandfather once worked for Studebaker, the car holds special meaning for the family.
The swap meet on Friday and Saturday brought together car, truck, and motorcycle enthusiasts to bargain for parts and supplies needed to complete their projects.
Others sold classic license plates, the latest automotive products, and unique items from TV infomercials.
Attendees praised the Branch County Fair Board for continuing the annual show the last two years after previous non-profits could no longer host the work-intensive event.
The fair board shortened the three-day show to two days, allowing everyone to celebrate Mother’s Day on Sunday.
Contact Don Reid, dReid@USATodayCo.Com
This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: Coldwater car show brings out classic cars, family stories
Reporting by Don Reid, Coldwater Daily Reporter / Coldwater Daily Reporter
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