History on wheels
Heritage Village promises more than 100 displays of vintage rides this weekend. The Heritage Village Antique Car Show promises more than 100 displays of vintage rides.
By TERRI BRYCE REEVES
Published April 6, 2007
LARGO - Cruise into yesteryear Saturday at the 21st annual Heritage Village Antique Car Show.
Proud owners, many in period costume, will display more than 100 antique autos, motorcycles and other wheeled wonders amid the village's 28 historic structures and natural pine forest.
The free event is sponsored by Pin-MAR Antique Car Club and celebrates Florida Heritage Month.
In addition to the retro roadsters, there will be a bonnet-making workshop, period music and food. The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
"It makes for a great laid-back day," said Carol Cortright, spokeswoman for Heritage Village. "We encourage visitors to dress up and bring a picnic lunch if they want. Some people really get into it."
A new display may prove to be a real traffic stopper.
Assistant Pinellas County Administrator Peter Yauch collects vintage traffic signals. A former traffic engineer, he has amassed several dozen of the old-timers and plans to bring about six to the show. Two of those will be four-way signals.
"They used to have one unit in the middle of the intersection for all directions," he said. "That was before all the attorneys got involved."
Yauch plans to bring some vintage traffic signs and pedestrian signals too.
And here's a real golden oldie to look for: an orange-gold 1932 school bus owned and renovated by Russell Smith, 65, of St. Petersburg. The bus, which seats 12 children, is "very rare," Smith said.
When he first acquired it, the windows were broken, the seats were ripped and the exterior was rusted out (from traveling many snowy Michigan roads). The interior was blanketed with graffiti.
"The interesting thing is, there were a lot of hearts and 'Mary loves Joe' and that type of thing but not one word of profanity," Smith said.
The retired fire captain spent more than two years renovating the bus, now called Old School.
It's "one of the finest restorations you've ever seen," said Bob Croslin, event chairman.
Cars with personality
Croslin said the vehicles in the show will be pre-1959.
"We're trying to stick to the cars before the days when America lost its innocence," he said. "In the 1950s and before, cars just had a lot of personality."
Croslin said the club has helped out the village in several ways.
"The club project was outfitting and restoration of the H.C. General Store," he said. Drink sales at the show will go toward that project.
Club members also helped arrange for the village to acquire five antique vehicles, to be used to haul supplies in place of malapropos modern maintenance carts.
Finally, make sure to see the 1928 Good Humor truck, making its debut at this year's show. Its owner, Tom Small from Dade City, will be dressed in a retro Good Humor uniform.
And he has a surprise in store.
"I'll be passing out ice cream to the kids," he said.
IF YOU GO
Heritage Village Antique Car Show
What: The 21st annual show features more than 100 original or restored vintage vehicles. The event is free; donations accepted.
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Where: Heritage Village, 11909 125th St. N., Largo.
Park: Free parking and a shuttle to the event entrance is located on 119th Street, between Ulmerton and Walsingham roads.
Information: Call (727) 582-2123.