By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
James Rader of Marcellus, vehicle 138, won Best of Show Saturday at the 16th annual Rod and Roll Custom Auto Show in 75-degree downtown Dowagiac.
Rader entered a 1979 Ford F150 custom 4×4.
Barry Yakim of Barry's Automotive presented Rader's trophy.
The 3 p.m. Parade of Winners opened with the presentation of a new award, "The Harold Primley Inspirational Award."
Co-organizer Curt Rohdy of John and Curt's Brake and Alignment, presented to Coley New of Marcellus the trophy presented in memory of the late Harold Primley Jr., who passed away in March.
Primley owned Dowagiac Auto Service Center, which his wife, Carol, continues to operate.
The man to whom the 2006 Rod and Roll was dedicated was an auto enthusiast, a demolition derby car driver, an avid collector of Round Oak Stoves who brought the 1994 national convention to Dowagiac and one of the original corporate sponsors of the car show.
Miss Dowagiac Sarah Ostyn presented many of the trophies.
Best antique
Pre-1950s
Ken Clark of Cassopolis, No. 20, a 1931 Model A 400 Ford.
Second: Mike Cannon of Rolling Prairie, Ind., No. 155, a 1930 Model A Ford.
Sponsored by: Steinman's Shell
Best street rod
Bob Gibson of Granger, Ind., a 1932 Ford coupe.
Second: Jan Richcreek of Dowagiac, No. 155, a Dodge four-door.
Sponsored by: Flint's Automotive.
Best custom car
Jay Mead of Mishawaka, Ind., a 1948 Chevy coupe.
Second: Arron Donoho of Eau Claire, a 1996 Dodge Neon.
Sponsored by: Jim D's Body Shop. Trophies presented by Sue Kazlauskas.
Best '50s/'60s classic
Joyce and Roger Yerington of Benton Harbor, a 1965 Ford Mustang 2+2.
Second: Flint Myers of Dowagiac, a 1957 Bel-Air convertible.
Sponsored by: Sunray Restorations.
Best old truck
(1966 or older)
Allan Beruth of South Bend, Ind., No. 113, a 1929 Ford pickup.
Second: Don Richcreek of Dowagiac, a 1938 GMC COE.
Sponsored by John and Curt's Brake and Alignment. Trophies presented by Curt Rohdy.
Best new truck
(1967 and newer)
Randy Merrill of Dowagiac, No. 108, a 2001 Super Duty Ford.
Second: Tim Donohue of Bangor, No. 101, a 2005 F250 King Ranch.
Sponsored by: Beeson Street Bar and Grill.
Best Chevrolet
Scott Jurgenson of Dowagiac, No. 50, a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS.
Second: Tom Meisa of Dowagiac, No. 69, a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro.
Sponsored by: Dominion's Deals on Wheels.
Best GM muscle car
Brad McElheny of Cassopolis, No. 104, a 1971 Chevy Nova.
Second: Johnathan Runyon of Dowagiac, No. 18, a 1957 Chevy Nomad.
Sponsored by Dowagiac Auto Service Center. Trophies presented by Chris Primley, Harold's son.
Best Mopar
David Kelley of Riverside, No. 23, a 1970 Plymouth Barracuda.
Second: Ed Kazlauskas of Dowagiac, a 1970 Dodge Challenger TA.
Sponsored by Heartland Chrysler.
Best Ford
Larry Salo of Allegan, No. 130, a 1958 Ford Skyliner.
Second: Tara High of Dowagiac, No. 16, a 1969 Ford Mach 1.
Sponsored by: Creative Vinyl Signs.
Best sports car
Kenny and Billie Wilson of Dowagiac, No. 118, a 1958 Chevy Corvette.
Second: Ron and Brenda Shrout of Dowagiac, No. 8, a 1960 Chevy Corvette.
Sponsored by: Chet Nichols Inc. Auto Parts.
Best motorcycle
Michael Smith of Dowagiac, No. 6, a 2005 Harley Davidson Screamin' Eagle Fat Boy.
Rick Kinzler of Benton Harbor, No. 44, a 2004 Harley Davidson Road King custom.
Sponsored by: Laurie Anne's.
Best custom motorcycle
Ken Gaynor of Watervliet, No. 134, a 2005 custom Pitt Bull.
Second: Dennis Ferrier of Dowagiac, No. 80, a 1971 Triumph.
Sponsored by: Pizza Hut.
Best '70s/'80s
Garrett and Linda Miller of Three Rivers, No. 124, a 1971 Buick Riviera.
Second: Rene Went-Rader of Marcellus, No. 129, a 1979 Firebird Espre.
Sponsored by: 3Gs Body Shop.
Best Jeep
Debbie Rohdy of Dowagiac, No. 10, a 1949 Willies Overland Jeepster.
Second: Chad Rohdy of Dowagiac, No. 11, a 1974 Jeep CJ5.
Sponsored by: Heartland Chrysler.
Best altered vehicle
John Hunt of Paw Paw, No. 54, a 1941 Studebaker presidential sedan.
Second: Ken and Susan Clark of South Bend, Ind., a 1940 Willies coupe.
Sponsored by: Butler's Tree Farm and Campground. Trophies presented by Sam Butler.
Guess of death
Brian Barkley of South Bend, Ind., won $75 with his guess of 23 minutes.
The engine stopping running at 49:10 minutes.
Second place, and $50: Brad McElheny of Dowagiac, 22:34 minutes.
Third place, and $25, Chris Primley of Dowagiac, 20:06 minutes.
Sponsored by: Barry's Automotive.
Scavenger hunt
Linda DeHays of Mishawaka, Ind., receives a $25 Universal Dowagiac Gift Certificate from the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce.
Twelve downtown businesses featured.
The Marshall Shoppe, in-store word scramble game for fashion terms – Donna Dodd of Dowagiac, No. 35, receives a Brighton gift bag.
The Hairitage – in-store game to identify antiques – Janet Richcreek of Dowagiac receives a $40 gift basket.
The Wren's Nest – in-store bird identification game, Angelia Owsiawy of Dowagiac receives a $20 gift certificate.
Caruso's Candy Kitchen – in-store game to guess how many pieces are in the candy jar, Glenn Gramer of South Bend, Ind., No. 135, won a $10 gift certificate with his guess of 240.
Rod and Roll was organized by two Dowagiac couples, Curt and Debbie Rohdy, owners of John and Curt's Brake and Alignment, and Ron and Brenda Shrout.