Mission Marketplace Car Show
Saturday March 6, 2004
Approximately
two weeks prior to this event, the Mission city council and
members of the Mission chamber of commerce contacted Jim
Schroeder and family with the idea of hosting an old car show.
They were asked if it was possible to have a car show and if
they would be willing to organize it and try to get cars to turn
out for the event. Jim, his wife Jan, daughter Mindy, and
son-in-law Mark agreed and all got busy working their tails off
to make this event happen. They contacted us here at RGV
OldCars and asked us to help promote the show and get the word
out. We did that and even invited everyone out early in
the morning of the event to join us for a breakfast time and
cruise over to the show in an old car caravan.
We were pleased
to see about 20 old cars along with their owners and families
turn out to join us at the Country Pancake House in McAllen and
then we took a nice little cruise over to the show together,
turning heads and getting plenty of thumbs up and horn honks
along the route. RGV OldCars handed out free t-shirts to
all the participants of our breakfast cruise, about 50 total
people. We made our way over to the show location in
Mission and arrived at about 10:45 to find the parking area
almost full. The cars that came in with us filled in the
last spots in the main lot and got settled into place.
This was quite a sight, considering the registration was not to
begin until 12:00 noon. The cars kept showing up and
filled in other lots at the show site as well. Over 150
cars made it out for this event, which was a pleasant surprise
as there were several other events and car shows happening on
this same day in other parts of the valley.
Jim and his
family were pleased and amazed at how the word got out about the
event and were pleased with the number of people and cars that
made it out. Not too bad for a show that came together in
just two weeks. There was a large variety of different
cars and trucks, all of which were pre-1975. Vehicles
ranged from some show quality street rods, to original model Ts,
to "projects on wheels", even a few WWII military vehicles and a
tank. The weather was nice and cool in the morning hours,
no rain or bad weather in sight. As the day went on,
however, the sun came out and heated things up. Most at
the show found their way over to the shade canopies in the
middle of the Market Plaza where they could escape the beating
sun. There were vendors selling food items and cold drinks
in the center courtyard as well. The day was still
beautiful and this really turned out to be a great event.
Many local
businesses and individuals donated items or money for the goodie
bags and prizes that were given out. The event was free to
enter for participants and spectators. Trophies and cash
awards totaling over $1,000 were given out to car owners in
various classes. ( See winners list below) All of
the judging was done by allowing those that brought out a car to
vote for one another's cars and was all done as peoples choice.
This always helps to keep people from getting mad at a "judge"
for not picking his car over someone else's. Again, more
great planning on the part of the Schroeder family. We
would really like to tip our hat and thank and congratulate Jim
and Jan Schroeder, Mark and Mindy Levermann, and all the
volunteers they had working with them from Mission Paving Co.
You all really did a great job. Thanks. Plans are
already being made to make this an annual event and with all the
success shown from this years event, new sponsors and
participants are sure to join in. See you next year.
Show results
Best in Show:
Robert Goodwin of Mission in
his 1956 Chevy Bel Air received $150 + trophy
Runner-up:
Sonny Sanchez of Mission in
his 1929 Hupmobile received $100 + trophy
3rd Place:
Joe Garcia of Mission in his 1969
Stingray received $ 75 + trophy
Rounding out the top ten - each
winner received $50 + plaque:
David Garza of Mission in his 1928
Model A Delivery
Jaime Valdez of Mission in his
1957 Chevy 4 Door Hardtop
Robert Medley of Harlingen in his
1956 Chevy Bel Air
Sam Garza of Mission in his 1965
Ford Mustang Fastback
Joe Cortez of Palmview in his 1946
Chevy Pickup
Emilio Garcia of Mission in his
1967 Chevy Camaro RS
Ed Gomez of Mission in his 1929
Ford T-Bucket
Mayor's Choice Award - $100 prize
+ plaque:
Santiago Mendoza of Mercedes in
his 1962 Chevy Impala Convertible
Ladies Choice Award - $75 prize
and a trophy:
Robert Goodwin of Mission with his
1956 Chevy Bel Air.
Robert donated his cash prize to
the Mission Boys & Girls Club.
Kid's Choice - $75 prize and a
trophy:
Emilio Garcia of Mission with his
1967 Camaro RS
Long Distance Award:
Robert Longoria drove down from
Corpus Christi for the show.
He was representing the Gear
Jammers Car Club.
Special Long Distance Award:
Don Gjere of Minnesota with his
1939 Ford Sedan "The Pumpkin".
Don and his wife make Mission
their winter home.
Photos provided by
George Winget, and John Cheever.
Award statistics
provided by Mindy Levermann.
Back
to Top
Some trust in chariots and some
in horses,
but we trust in the name of the
Lord our God. - Psalm 20:7
|
