32nd Annual Car Show Draws Thousands to St. Ignace
The Big Draw Year After Year: Those Beautiful, Classic Cars
By Paul Gingras

Throngs of visitors and residents lined State Street in St. Ignace Friday, June 29, to watch the "Down Memory Lane Parade."

"I love cruising," said Aaron "AA" Lemay of Brimley, gliding down the road Thursday, June 28, in his low-riding 1979 Cadillac Deville. "This is what my life is about, right here."

Behind him were 125 classy cars and trucks, glistening in the evening sun, moving out for Kewadin Cruise Night, the first event in last weekend's 32nd annual St. Ignace Car Show.

The parade Friday evening and the show all day Saturday drew thousands of show cars and many thousands of spectators to the free, family event, which takes advantage of the spectacular St. Ignace waterfront and the enthusiasm of automobile restoration buffs and customizers.

Turning onto State Street to begin Friday's Down Memory Lane Parade, a 1972 Hurst/Oldsmobile rumbled and quivered from the power beneath the hood. The Hurst/Olds was this year's feature vehicle, and this one featured the best of both car and gear shift, a classic show piece and the girl who put the spring into Hurst shifters, Linda Vaughn, the company's most dedicated promoter and spokesperson. She rode on a platform at the back of the car with a tall, golden replica of a Hurst shift.

At right: Jack "Doc" Watson stands in front of a 1968 Hurst/Oldsmobile following the 32nd Annual St. Ignace Car Show Guest of Honor Brunch Friday, June 29. This year's guest of honor, Mr. Watson displays the first model in a series of automotive sensations he created by adding a robust shifter to a souped-up Cutlass. Hurst/Olds vehicles were featured at this year's show.

Dressed in gold, Miss Vaughn waved and greeted spectators, and several recognized her from car shows throughout the country, and called out the dates and locations where they had seen her before.

"There's nothing more exciting than seeing a crowd react to me and Linda going by," said Jason Watson from the driver's seat.

His father, car show guest of honor Jack "Doc" Watson, rode just ahead. It was he who invented the shift that symbolized muscle on the street and the track.

At far right: Pausing in drag racing posture, two Hurst/Oldsmobiles show off Friday, June 29, during the parade.

"Shift as hard as you want, but don't break your arm," said Jason Watson, nodding to the shift, repeating a slogan developed in the 1960s for the shifter that helped racers throttle forward without damaging their transmissions.

The 49th Field Regiment Soo Pipe Band of Ontario pierced the air with the sound of bagpipes as local beauty queens waved from decorated floats, clowns scampered, and LaSalle High School's steel drum band, the Saints of Steel, entertained for the second consecutive year.

"This is about heritage, recording what automotive guys like my dad, and the older ones like Henry Ford, have done," Jason Watson observed. "They created a purely American legacy. To me, cars are the purest form of art. They always produce an emotional reaction, which is what an artist wants."

Saturday, the rolling show cars were mostly silent, parked along State Street, where crowds were thick from early morning through late afternoon.

Aaron "A.A." Lemay of Brimley answers questions from his 1970 Cadillac DeVille, while waiting in a line of vehicles ready to issue forth from Kewadin Casino for a cruise through St. Ignace Thursday, June 28. "I just got into this car last week," he said. "By next year, it will be all juiced up and pimped."

In the midst of the throng, show organizer Ed Reavie surveyed the street and declared the show a success.

"People are sick and tired of hearing about a bad economy," he said. "They're out here having fun, taking part in events, doing what they like to do, and this is proof."

"It's hard to deter serious car people," he added, noting that this year's crowd was sizable by 9 a.m. and brought enthusiasm and excitement.

Jason Watson agreed.

"It's been dense all day," he said of the crowd. "When they're out early, you know it's going to be a good show."

The St. Ignace Car Show crowd seemed to peak in size around 1992, Mr. Watson noted, but in 2007, few seem to mind the difference.

David Miechiels of Howell said he likes fewer people.

At left: Harv Slotman of Holland, Michigan, stands next to his 1939 Ford street rod Saturday, June 30, in St. Ignace. The vehicle is equipped with a 360-horsepower Chevy engine. It was featured about a month ago at an auto show in Holland, which produced revenue to benefit inner-city youth.

"I like [it] sparse," he noted while standing proudly by his brightly painted 1951 Mercury, which he said is "pure pleasure" to drive.

Nearby, Harv Slotman of Holland described his 360- horsepower, 1939 Ford street rod.

"It's a rougher ride than a new car," he said, "but it handles great. You can maneuver with one finger on the steering wheel."

Farther up the street, past cars broadcasting 1950s tunes, Dorothy and Don Wangerin of Stephenson sat near three polished vehicles they had on display. One was a restored black-and-chrome cruiser, a 1960 Phoenix Dodge Dart, identical to the one they bought when the model first appeared on the market.

Riding in it is like a "soft roll," Mr. Wangerin said. "It's like a boat on a wave."

At far right: The "First Lady of Motorsports," Linda Vaughn, waves to the crowd during the Down Memory Lane Parade Friday, June 29. She is accompanied by a model of a Hurst shifter. The shifters were added to Oldsmobiles in the late 1960s, an innovation for performance cars.

The cruiser sat next to two restored muscle cars.

"They're made for abuse," he said. "It's a stiffer ride. Younger people like them for the power" and stability. To them, a smooth ride is not part of the equation. They like to slide around corners without leaning at all, he said.

Not far away, a group of newer vehicles was parked at the St. Ignace Marina.

Steve Main of Petoskey stood next to his 1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse, pointing out the modifications he had added to his vehicle.

"I've always been into Eclipses," he said, which offer a smooth ride and no growl.

Mr. Main seeks to start a "tuners scene" in Petoskey, where he and other young car buffs are doing what older car enthusiasts do, but with newer cars, he said.

Nearby, a Ford Model T sat parked on the street, bearing a sign inviting visitors to climb in and get a feel for 1917.

Carolyn Bignall of Ann Arbor and Tim Johnson of Grand Rapids get a feel for 1917 in this Ford Model T during the 32nd Annual St. Ignace Car Show Saturday, June 30. The antique car is owned by Les Nyland of Moran.

With a flat windshield that could be raised to access open air, a small leather seat, and tiny doors, the vehicle harkened back to an era preceding all others represented at the show. Amidst decades of mechanical innovations, it had the undeniable feel of its predecessor: The horsedrawn carriage.