2011 May/June News Brief

Yea! A little taste of Spring sure feels good and this also starts some car show events and road trips. Our club member’s fi rst Spring road trip was on Saturday, March 19, 2011, to Myrtle Beach, SC, for the 23rd annual “Run to the Sun” car show. Club members attending were Carl Warrell, Lee Mauldin, Staley Hancock and Larry Stamey. There were over 2600 cars and trucks registered for this event.

There seemed to be a strong showing of Mustangs, Chevelle’s, Corvette’s, and quite a good showing of trucks (both stock and custom). There was a better than average showing of 1940’s and 1950’s custom models. One point of interest, there was a good number of old drag race cars that had been restored back to their “brutish and strong personalities”. For instance, there were two 1964 Ford – 427 Galaxies factory race cars, sitting side-byside that demanded your attention!

There were vehicles from 23 states and Canada. There were also plenty of food vendors and quite an assortment of foods. I understand that Larry and Staley really enjoyed the Fried Bologna sandwiches.

This was a near perfect day for a car show with good friends. And, it ended as it should—standing alongside one of the show exits and seeing, as well as hearing all those engines as they left the show. Sounds like these guys had a great time!

But, closer to home, on Saturday, March 19, 2011, Deborah and Ray Haynes started their car club season by going to Greensboro, NC. This event was the “1st Sgt. Willie Wilson VFW Post # 10290” car show. They took their 1992 Chevy Corvette LT1 and took Second Place. All proceeds from this show, went toward the Disabled Veterans and Youth Programs. A great way to start out the year.

Now here is our featured club member for this newsletter.

March 2, 2011, and what a beautiful day, with temps. in the mid sixties. It was a great day for our next club member’s interview. This edition features Carl Warrell. Carl took my husband, Staley and me to his country home in Denton. This was the perfect setting for a quiet talk about cars and car stories. This country home is where Carl keeps his hobby cars in a four stall garage overlooking 99 acres that includes a pond for leisurely fishing

on a summer day or quiet times with family.

Carl has always liked fi xing things and repairing equipment and he has worked at several places in the area such as Thomas Bus and Southern Die Casting. He has always worked in the tool and die business, and in 1968, he started his own business, Competition Tooling in High Point, NC, still an active and productive company.

Carl and wife Margie, went to several car events and liked the car club people. They liked old cars, bought a 1957 Chevy and decided to join Furnitureland Car Club in 1997. This club has meant a lot to Carl over the years.

Carl has had the honor of being club president from 2001-2003. Carl is also the Promoter for the Furnitureland car show held in Lexington, NC. This annual event called the “Lexington Bar-B-Q Festival” is quite a draw for the area. This car show has grown every year with a great location on Main Street at Davidson Funeral Home’s large parking lot. This car show participation has grown due to the 100,000+ Bar-B-Q Festival patrons that attend the festival.

Carl has several cars and trucks; here is a breakdown of his collection. Carl’s first car is a 1957 Chevy, which he bought in 1997 in Denton, NC and was already restored. This purchase was the jump-start to his car club hobby. He has a 1932 Ford B-Model which he shows in HPOF. The original owner never washed the car but kept it in perfect condition with Pledge. This car also has original upholstery. Carl saw this car for sale in the Hemmings catalog and by the time he called about it---the car had already been sold to a person out West. But, this deal fell through and Carl was called to come

and pick up the car. This all started on a Thursday and before Saturday noon, Carl had the car home. It had a dead battery, needed gas and oil but the seller gave him spare parts. This car was Carl’s destiny. Carl has a 1935 5-window Ford Coupe. This car has been restored for several years, but has yet to make its debut.

Carl has a 1942 Ford pickup. This ’42 pickup is rare due to it being the first Ford light truck with a dedicated chassis. This truck was chrome deleted -- using a yellow stripe instead of chrome. Another rare feature for this truck, is that the war had started and this model was only made for three or four months. This truck was sold in N. Wilkesboro, NC, at the Ford dealership. This dealership is one of the oldest dealerships in North Carolina, est. in 1915.

Carl’s next car is a 1950 Ford Coupe. This car has a Red Bird and several Preservation Awards. Carl has had this ’50 Ford Coupe since 1971, when he bought it for $400 from a lady who was a friend of his aunt. This car was originally bought at English Motor Company in High Point, NC. Carl also owns a 1950 Ford 2-Door with less than 10,000 miles. It has original paint and Carl is the second owner.

Carl has a 1956 Chevy Convertible, which belonged to recently deceased club member Austin Honeycutt. He has had this vehicle for less than six months. This car was actually an anniversary present to Carl’s wife, Margie, for 51 years of marriage. Margie said she had always wanted a convertible! She must be doing something right!!

Carl and wife Margie have been married for 51 years. They have three children and two grandchildren. They attend Burton Street Missionary Methodist Church.

I asked Carl what he thought of the future of the hobby of car collecting and showing of cars. Carl says that car collecting and showing seems like a big hobby. In the spring and summer months, every Saturday night you can fi nd some kind of car show, cruise-in, or church sponsored car event, to attend or participate in. Carl adds, “If you want to follow this hobby, you can find a place. I think there will always be people who are interested in Old Cars.

I asked Carl what this car club has meant to him over the years, and he said “Friendships- people who you share the hobby of old cars with.” Carl adds, “Just because you’re in a car club—don’t take it too seriously. Just have fun …enjoy the automobile and the association”.

And, we’ll see you at the car shows!!!