Unique to the Dowagiac community’s Rod & Roll Classic Auto Show, the Best of Show and Queen’s Choice trophies that will be presented this Saturday will signify the beating heart of classic vehicles.

Event Chairman Kris Soenen, owner of Who Knew? Consignment, said the one-of-a-kind trophies were designed and fabricated by local brothers. The Best of Show trophy was made by Chris Symonds, a recent Chieftain graduate, while Chris’ brother, Michael, made the Queen’s Choice Award.

The two top trophies are comprised of auto parts and tools.

“While you can make these classic vehicles look pretty, you also have to maintain their engine so they move,” Soenen said.  “In older cars, that can be challenge.”

The 27th annual auto show rolls into downtown Dowagiac Saturday morning, as Beeson Street Bar & Grill serves up a pancake breakfast on Beeson Street, from 7 to 10 a.m.  More than 200 classic cars will drive in from all corners of southwestern Michigan and northern Indiana, vying for the Best of Show or Top 20 finish.

“The auto show is one of this community’s favorite events, hosted by the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce,” Soenen said.  “Visitors can talk shop with car owners, view beautifully-restored vehicles and partake in the pancake breakfast and also the cook-out by Dowagiac Masons.  In addition, they can browse downtown specialty shops and the Dowagiac Farm & Artisan Market, located at the Dowagiac Area History Museum.”

On-site vehicle registration opens at 7 a.m. the gazebo, located at Front and Beeson streets.  Participants showing their vehicle, who register on site, pay $20, with pre-registration available until 2 p.m. on Friday at the Chamber of Commerce office, located within the historic Dowagiac train depot.

On Saturday, from 8 a.m. to noon, show participants may cast their vote for top vehicles. Music of the 1950s, 60s and 70s will be presented throughout the day.  The annual trophy ride wraps up the event between 2 and 2:30 p.m.

This year’s corporate trophy sponsors include: Barry’s Automotive, Creative Vinyl Signs, Dowsett Chiropractic Health Center, Flint’s Auto, John & Curt’s Brake & Alignment, Keene’s Auto Body, Myer’s Fork Lift, Peggy Hamilton, True’s Towing, Wolverine Mutual Insurance and Wood Fire Italian Trattoria.

The dash plaques, presented to all participants, were underwritten by Chemical Bank, with corporate sponsors of the event coffee mugs being C. Wimberley Auto Group, Dowagiac Auto Service, Imperial Furniture, Mahar Insurance and True’s Towing.

Corporate sponsors of the event crewneck shirts are: Ausra Equipment, Creative Vinyl Signs, Division Tire, Hale’s Hardware, Jim D’s Body Shop, Kemner Iott Benz, Lindy’s Restaurant, Mosier Well, Oil Can Alley, PDK Firearms Training, Ridge / Napa and The Timbers of Cass County.

This year’s show was organized by Soenen, along with Co-chairmen Joe Silvia and Schantel Myers of Chemical Bank, and Jim Kazlauskas, owner of Jim D’s Body Shop.