O’Reilly Car Show marks 50th anniversary

Published by admin on Tue, 03/12/2019 - 2:35pm

This year was the 50th anniversary of the O’Reilly Auto Parts Rod & Custom Car Show. The celebrity guest was Lou Ferrigno, “The Incredible Hulk.” The Chamber Ambassadors welcomed Ferrigno to Monticello over the weekend and congratulated car show organizers Galen and Tom Muller on 50 years. Front from left are Galen Muller, Ashley Faust, Sue Ballou, Mark Spensley, Ferrigno, Craig Thompson, Doug Herman, and Tom Muller. Back row, Audrey Savage, Bob Goodyear, Gerald Retzlaff, Tom Keleher, and Rick Meyer.

Chamber Ambassadors Ashley Faust, Sue Ballou and Gerald Retzlaff take time to check out the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile at the O’Reilly Car Show, Feb. 23.

Several crowd pleasers like Herbie the Love Bug were on display during the car show, including this 1963 Volkswagen. The owner is Corey Seibert of Vinton, Iowa. (Photos by Kim Brooks)

Rich Wolken of Monticello brought in his 1950 MG YA to display at the car show. The British car is unusual because it drives on the left side versus the right, which is typical of most British-made cars. Wolken said he bought the car at an auction in Olin, Iowa.

There were several unique motorcycles for all to see at the car show, including this 2018 Harley-Davidson Custom Chopper owned by Chuck Comp of Cedar Rapids. The bike was painted in honor of firefighters everywhere.

     This year marked the 50th anniversary of the O’Reilly Auto Parts Rod & Custom Car Show in Monticello. The event, which is presented by KCRG-TV9, marked the occasion with an appearance by the original Incredible Hulk himself, Lou Ferrigno.

     The car show took place Feb. 23 and 24 inside the Monticello Berndes Center.

     There were entries from four states: Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Aside from the dozens of classic cars, trucks, and motorcycles on display, The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile was a hit for people young and old. Visitors to the event also saw Herbie the Love Bug, and the Scooby Doo Mystery Machine.

     Owners of winning entries received Magic Dry U.S. Trophies and Citizens State Bank cash awards, plus Muller Brothers Travel Money.

Rod Category

     First place: Rick Wolfe, Marion, Iowa, 1941 Willys Coupe. Second place: Loren Barske, Antigo, Wis., 1935 Plymouth Sedan. Third place: Charles McCarthy, East Peoria, Ill., 1937 Ford Coupe. Fourth place: Jim Benter, Monticello, Iowa, 1940 Dodge Coupe.

Custom Category

     First place: Dennis Sullivan, Pontiac, Ill., 1951 Mercury Coupe. Second Place: Dave Lupella, White Lake, Wis., 1938 Ford Coupe. Third place: Ted Sedlacek, Iowa City, Iowa, 1957 Chevrolet Station Wagon. Fourth place: Brett Benter, Monticello, Iowa, 1955 Chevrolet hardtop.

Machine Category

     First place: Ashley Lochner, Dubuque, Iowa, 2007 Dodge Charger. Second place: Rick Wolfe, Marion, Iowa, 1967 Chevrolet Nova. Third place: Andrew Loop, Dike, Iowa, 1965 Mercury Comet. Fourth place: Mark Pokorny, Clutier, Iowa, 1970 Plymouth GTX.

Pickup Category

     First place: Joseph Thomas, Manito, Ill., 1950 Chevrolet crew cab pickup. Second place: Craig Snider, Centerville, Iowa, 1952 GMC pickup. Third place: Kerry Pirie, Brooklyn, Iowa, 1972 GMC 4x4 pickup. Fourth place: Tom Duffy, Dunkerton, Iowa, 1953 GMC pickup.

Competition Category

     First place: Dan Howe, Lawler, Iowa, 1948 Willys Jeep pickup. Second place: Russ Coble, Green Bay, Wis., 2016 Dallara Indycar. Third place: Jim Todd, Prophetstown, Ill., 1963 Triumph Hill Climber. Fourth place: John Evans, Port Byron, Ill., 1967 Harley Davidson flat tracker.

Motorcycle Category

     First place: Brian Rick, Stewart, Minn., 2014 Indian Vintage. Second place: Jonathan Gomez, Monticello, Iowa, 2014 Victory Cross Country. Third place: Chuck Comp, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 2018 Harley-Davidson Chopper. Fourth place: Mike Prete, Harvard, Ill., 1998 Suzuki Intruder Chopper.

Best Paint

     Dennis Sullivan, Pontiac, Ill., 1951 Mercury Coupe.

Best Interior

     Rick Wolfe, Marion, Iowa, 1941 Willys Coupe.

Best Engine

     Rick Wolfe, Marion, Iowa, 1941 Willys Coupe.

Best Display

     Charles Volk, Port Byron, Ill., 2000 Huffy motorbike.

People’s Choice

     Kerry Pirie, Brooklyn, Iowa, 1972 GMC 4x4 pickup.

People’s Choice Motorcycle

     Chuck Comp, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 2018 Harley-Davidson Chopper.

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