By Dan Spalding
InkFreeNews

WARSAW – Car collectors love to talk about their vehicles.

With an estimated 150 cars on display Friday, Aug. 5, at Baker Youth Club Car Show, it was easy to strike up a few conversations.

InkFreeNews randomly selected six car owners and gave them a chance to brag a little.

Here are their stories.

Jason Henry. InkFreeNews photos by Dan Spalding.

Jason Henry, Warsaw,

1977 MG MGB

He bought it this year.

Highlight: “It’s all original. I’ve never done anything but drive it.”

What spurred your interest in cars: “My uncle had Trans Spitfire growing up and I’ve always loved these British cars. I had a Fiat Spider in my high school years I just wanted to get back into it so I bought this.”

Mike Music

Mike Music, Warsaw,

1956 Chevy 3100, step side.

He’s had it for nine years and totally restored it “from the ground up.”

Highlight: “The looks. The black is hard to keep clean, but the looks are just off the wall.”

What spurred your interest in cars: I’ve always liked old vehicles. I’m an antique nut.”

Cy Walls

Cy Walls, Pierceton

1951 Ford Shoebox chop top

He totally rehabbed the vehicle.

What’s special? The engine, which came out of a 2013 Camaro. “I wanted to build something that looks slow, but it will move out when it needs to.”

What spurred your interest in cars: “My grandpa, he passed away two or three months ago and I pretty much built it for him, in dedication to him. He was a hot rodder.”

Cheryl Lacheta

Cheryl Lacheta, Warsaw

1960 Nash Metropolitan with a matching pink trailer

She and her husband, John, found it in Mississippi two years ago and restored it.

Highlight: “It’s super fun and her name is Hope because I’m a breast cancer survivor.”

What spurred your interest in cars: Her father loved car collecting. “I’ve always been into cars. I’m a car girl. You can talk to me about cars and I’m gonna understand it. And I married a guy (John) who is a car guy.”

John and Crystal Welsh

Jim Welsh, Warsaw

1953 F100 Pickup

He’s had it since 2004.

Highlight: The truck features an airbrushed image of Big Daddy Ed Roth, a custom car builder in the 50s and 60s who disliked Mickey Mouse and created his own character, Rat Fink.

What spurred your interest in cars: “I built the truck for my dad. I did everything but the airbrush work. He passed away in 2021 from COVID.”

Scott and Marla LaRue

Marla LaRue, Pierceton

2011 Dodge Challenger

Bought it about a year ago

Highlight: “It’s a mine … My brother has a 2009. We’re always in competition. I think mine is better than his … “I’ve always wanted a challenger since I was a teenager. I think they’re the neatest cars.”

What spurred your interest in cars: My husband, Scott