A successful opening of Morrison Car Shows was blessed with comfortable, dry weather, in the parking lot of DQ Grill & Chill, 200 N. Sawyer Road, Morrison, IL, on Friday, July 28, 2017.
First in a series of three “always fun; always free” summer shows, the event took place from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Classic and muscle cars, street rods, and trucks were arrayed to admire.
Near their collectible vehicles, the public meets owners who enjoy a chat about their display piece.
Exhibitors came from Morrison and Erie, IL.
- The second show will be Friday, August 25, at the same time and location.
- The Big Fall Show is Sunday, September 24, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Ron Weimer, shown at right, has organized Morrison car shows for 19 years. There is no entry fee; Weimer stated, “I’ve never charged anybody a single dime to be in our show.”
A 50-50 drawing is held at each event to add interest for visitors and pay for show publicity expenses. Tickets sell for $1 apiece; $5 for “an arm length; or $20 for a strip the length of the purchaser’s vehicle!” he explained.
There were 26 entries. Weimer distributed numerous trophies–some due to public voting, some “because I liked the [vehicle]. We’re just out to give out trophies tonight. I’m about out of room–people keep giving them to me!”
He is aided by
- long-time friend, Steve Siefken, who photographs the shows
- D. J. and Regina Sikkema, who help with registration and trophy distribution, and their children Alexis and Ethan
- Kim Keller and Chris Schumaker, who assists Weimer at the shows
- DQ Grill & Chill owners Bart and Ellen Smith, who host–and donate to–the Cruise-Ins.
Howard “Howdy” Mills, Morrison, drove his 1927, cerulean, Ford roadster to the show, but he rarely drives it for recreation. In 2015, he purchased “a yard sale body and frame and built the rest.” The car is categorized appropriately as a “Specially Constructed Vehicle.” Seats came from a Freightliner ambulance. The engine originated in a Ford van. It has a Ford Maverick transmission. The windshield came from a Ford Model T, but the owner “cut it down and slanted it.” Mills did the paint job. “I’m going to make a top,” he said, “maybe this winter.” Mills is shown at left with three-year-old grandson Drake, and son Joe. Granddaughter Ivy, age five, did not attend the show.
Jim Smith, left, presented a trophy to Robert and Ginny Doescher of Morrison, for bringing a truck with “a nice and clean paint job.” They showed their 1966, ruby, Ford F100, pickup truck. Bob drives it “basically to car shows, about five a year, and the cover stays on. We [have] won three trophies at three shows!” he remarked. “This is the first time here with this truck.” Doescher bought it finished and worked ten months to rebuild the whole powertrain and suspension system. He redid some of the interior. “I put it from a low-rider back to stock.” The couple wants to get an “old, little pickup for Ginny. We’re looking all the time,” he said.
Mark Orr, Kewanee, IL, only “heard about the show this morning,” but he took home a trophy. “I love going to cruises, because my car is nice enough to fit in.” He entered his 1967, onyx, Chevy Malibu 350. “It has 350 beefed up motor headers and a high rise intake manifold. It is louder and faster and has big, fat tires. It is 50 years old; there are not a lot of ’67’s [around].” Orr owned a 1972 Chevrolet Chevelle or 13 years. Even though the Malibu “is stock looking inside,” his four-speed car “is special–a racier version, instead of an automatic,” he stated.
