More than 700 vehicles of all makes and models blanketed Ralph Seyller Memorial Park in Hampshire for the Early Times Street Rods Club’s 36th annual “Suds and Fun” car show.
Jane and Ted Tegtman, owners of Allen’s Corner Garage in Hampshire, are original members of the car club that started the event in 1980. According to the show’s website, it is the longest running car show in northern Illinois by a single home town car club, and judges cars for fun, not by classes.
With 708 paid entries, Sunday’s show was one of the biggest in the car club’s history, club officials said..
Jane Tegtman ran the register at the food booth which sold brats, hot dogs and chips. Her daughter, Kristi Castaneda, who owns Allen’s Corner Diner in Hampshire with her husband, Jake, also worked in the food booth. The Hampshire White Riders Snowmobile Club sold loaded baked potatoes, corn on the cob and nachos, and the Hampshire Dairy Queen booth sold Blizzards and Dilly Bars.
Chuck Krewer returned to Hampshire from Florida for the show.
“I lived in Woodstock for 40 years before I moved to Florida,” Krewer said. “I have a 1964 Chevelle that I used to bring here. I planned to come to Harvard for my son’s birthday on Sept. 7, but then I decided to come earlier so I could attend this show.”
Schaumburg resident Chris Palmer decided to bring his 1967 Ford Fairlane this year.
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Members of the Down Shifters Club of Huntley sat under a tent surrounded by 15 of their vehicles, including a 1966 Nova, a 1966 Chevelle and a 1969 Chevelle.
“The Down Shifters have been together since 1967,” said Lynette Doty. “We raised our kids together. We rekindled in 2005.”
Batavia resident Kevin Callahan brought his 1970 GTO Judge Convertible to the show for the first time.
“I am totally amazed by this event,” Callahan said. “This park is beautiful. There was a Pontiac GTO show going on in St. Charles today, but I decided to come here instead.”
Arlene and Mickey Shaw drove from Rockford in their 2003 Mustang.
“I used to ride horses,” Arlene Shaw said. “Now I drive a Mustang.”
Denise Moran is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.