By By MARK ANDERSON / Niles Daily Star
NILES - The gleaming machines at the ninth-annual AAA Classic Car Show at this year's Niles Riverfest are the products of toil and financial sacrifice.
So much so that the owners tend to be reverent about their cars.
Take Niles' own Dr. Robert Todd, a retired dentist who collects art - and cars.
At the Riverfest show, he acknowledged that he's quite fond of the 1958 Packard Hawk that he scored in Bridgman some eight years ago.
Beyond this fondness, he's only certain of two things: He knows nothing about the mechanics of cars, and it would take a heap of cash to get him to sell his Hawk.
Every part of his Hawk is original. It has less than 60,000 original miles. It's one of only 558 Packard Hawks ever produced, and there are only 132 remaining.
All the Hawks were made in 1958, the last year that Packards of any kind were made. It's got what Todd calls "pizzazz," with its winged rear fenders, its dual radio antennae and big white walls on the tires.
This is not to say his Hawk is perfect. Todd's "sweetheart," as he calls it, sports a 289 V-8 Supercharger manufactured in South Bend, Ind., that was rebuilt, though that's the only part that was been touched. Neither the paint nor the interior is perfect. But it has that certain "something."
Battle Creek resident Mike Neal's baby is a 1954 Studebaker Commander, which is sky blue and, as Neal reflected, 100 percent American made.
Like many who take part in car shows, he puts a patriotic premium put on the fact that these classic machines represent American ingenuity and were made by hardworking American breadwinners who could afford to buy the very cars they made, put food on the table, and take the time to enjoy a family drive.
Neal marvels at the cool features on classic cars that, oddly enough, were largely phased out, such as those little triangular windows that flipped open to ventilate the car, bench seats, and special additional ventilation systems that were put into Studebackers - including one that attached to the side and contained ice and water so that when air would blow through it, moist, cool air would flow inside the car. This design was for arid locales, such as Arizona.
The two top awards at the 2004 show were based on paint, interior, engine, trunk and overall presentation. The Best of Show award was presented to Bob Williams of Elkhart, Ind., for his 1955 Chevrolet BelAir, and Steve Lutes of Granger got the next best award - People's Choice - for his 1954 Chevrolet Sedan Delivery. A team of judges scored each car. There were 104 entries representing various classic car clubs, with participants from as far away as Grand Rapids and Battle Creek. The top 50 all received a trophy. The official awards ceremony on Saturday included a moment of silence for Brandon Modlin, who was known in car club circles. He died at the age of 19 the evening of June 28 when a drunk driver with whom he was riding hit a tree on Orange Road southwest of Niles. The late teen's parents, Pam Modlin and Terry Hoof of Niles, melancholy yet conversant, said that a fundraiser to help the family defray medical bills will take place from 4 p.m. to closing on Saturday, Aug. 14 at Jay's Lounge, between State Line Road and Hacker's Golf &Games along U.S. 933. It will include a cash bar with food, Karaoke and a 50-50 drawing. In light of Modlin's passing, outgoing Classic Car Show Chairman Tom Rasler commented, "When you see your children or grandchildren tonight, give everyone an extra hug, would you please?"
All proceeds from the car show go back to Riverfest, said Rasler, who represents the Michiana Cruisers car club. This is his last year as car show chairman.
Also, Becky Bookout, an organizer of the annual show, was presented with an award for her efforts.