Cars, pride on display at Cantigny's sixth annual show

Bill Stevenson stopped keeping track of how much money he has spent on his vintage car when the tally hit $20,000.

And when a friend told him he would be hard-pressed to recoup that money after he restored his 1936 Dodge Coupe, he said he didn't care.

To Stevenson, the hobby has nothing to do with money.

“That's not why you do it,” he said. “You do it because you love to do it.”

On Sunday, Stevenson will share the day with hundreds of fellow car enthusiasts at the sixth annual Cantigny Car Show. The show, featuring up to 400 cars, runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18, at the park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. The event is free with a $5 parking charge for spectators.

Judges will hand out awards in 24 categories, including Best of Show, Best Military Vehicle and Best Original Engine.

Stevenson, 67, of Wheaton, said he first entered the Cantigny show last year, not long after he finished his seven-year process of restoration.

“It's nice to be able to look at things that were made before you were born and find out what makes them tick and put them back into their original condition,” he said.

But not all of the contestants and attendees Sunday will show off pre-World War II vehicles. Ray Brownfield of Naperville has had his light blue 1966 Ford Mustang Convertible since he bought it for about $2,500 in 1982.

He drove the car for several years then had to choose whether to scrap or restore the car. He chose the latter.

“It was like remodeling an old house, step by step,” he said. “We stripped the car down, replaced all of the framework to brand new. Many thousands of dollars later, we ended up with a fully restored (car), as good or better than when it came out of Detroit, Michigan.”

Brownfield switches between blue and red Mustangs to enter at various car shows. He said one reason he enjoys the events is seeing people relive their early years after they see his vehicle.

“They look at the car and you can see their minds, and memories just come back,” he said. “And the kids, they just get a big kick about seeing these old cars.”

As the event gains a reputation, organizers say they continue to receive good feedback from the car owners. Brian Gray, Cantigny's visitor services and special activities coordinator, said the park's amenities offer the contestants a positive all-around experience that brings them back every year.

“A lot of shows are in restaurant parking lots or grass fields,” he said. “Here, if a person brings the wife and kids, there is something for the whole family to do. It's a family event and we try to make it top notch.”

Downers Grove resident Ed Krakowiak, a member of the Illinois Sports Owners Association and the owner of a 1980 Triumph, has been to every Cantigny show except the first one. He said Triumph owners stick together at the event and that owning the European car allowed him to get into the hobby inexpensively.

Also, he said seeing the cars on the lot reminds him of the great cars of past years.

“All the new cars are very nice to drive and all,” he said. “But with all the gadgets, the driver is so disconnected from the car.”

While he has taken great care of his Triumph, Krakowiak said the members of his club don't necessarily expect to win big on Sunday. But that stands in stark contrast to Naperville resident Brownfield's approach to the show.

“I love the competition,” he said. “I want to win. The competition is pretty keen. And you are judged by your peers, so you better have a damned good car going.”

Sixth annual Cantigny Car Show

<b>When</b>: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18

<b>Where</b>: Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton

<b>Cost</b>: Free, with $5 parking fee for spectators

<b>Info</b>: (630) 260-8167 or <a href="http://cantigny.org/">cantigny.org</a>