The awards presentation at Saturday's Vettes, Rods & Classics show at Creekside in Gahanna, Ohio took a surprising twist when my Camaro was announced as the Best in
While my car and C7 Corvette Z06 do share the same engine, I doubt many would get the two cars confused.
I suspect my car was accidentally entered into the computer as a
Anyway, the Capital City Corvette Club handled the error with grace and presented my car with an Award of Excellence plaque. I just feel bad that someone with a very nice 2017-2019 C7 Corvette didn't receive an award.
Aside from the award mix-up, the 5th Annual Vettes, Rods, and Classics show continued to carry on the tradition as one of the best car shows in Central Ohio.
This year the Capital City Corvette Club got the city of Gahanna to agree to close the streets in the Creekside district an hour early - 11 AM instead of 12 Noon. The hour change appears to have made the initial rush of vehicles into the show area a lot smoother than it had been in previous years. I overheard two participants discussing how smooth the parking was this year. I arrived around 11:30 AM and lucked into a "Premo" parking spot at the corner of Mill Street and Ogden Aly.
The show not only attracted cars from all over Central Ohio but had several come from more than 100 miles away. If there were a long-distance award, it would have gone to Scott Willson who made the drive from Midland, Texas in his 2018 Dodge Challenger RT.
I don't have a final count of cars. The club says it judged 237 vehicles. I noticed a good number of participants who paid the $15 to get their vehicle into the show area but didn't do the final registration.
Nature's Juice
I'm always in search of detailing products, tips, and tricks whenever I attend a car show. I've been extremely impressed with the paint finishes on Craig Grunkemeyer's two Corvettes. Both are beautiful cars.
Well, this weekend I found out Craig's secret. It's a product called Nature's Juice distributed by Super Freak.
The secret to the product is the large, dead bug in the bottom of the bottle. The decaying bug emits special chemicals that protect and shine your paint. You need to be cautious not to ingest any Nature's Juice as it can cause bladder enlargement. Seek immediate medical attention if that occurs.
The product is not available in stores or online. However, you can find the major ingredient at your local supermarket or pharmacy. If you haven't guessed already, Craig's secret formula is distilled water! The plastic bug is optional.
The Awards
This year the Capital City Corvette club presented more than 80 awards. As in previous years, the show has two categories of awards. One for the rods and classics, and the other for the Corvettes. Both categories receive Awards of Excellence. The Corvette category also adds a Best in Class for each generation of Corvette. The club also presented 13 "Special" and Sponsor's awards.
Let's start with the "Special" Awards:
Mayor's Award
1960 Jaguar Mark 1X
Owner: Tom Needles
Dave Gill Chevrolet Award
1966 Chevy Caprice Sport
Owner: Brad Mitchell
Lash Chevrolet Award
1969 Chevy Camaro
Owner: Drew Lester
Grove Parks Wealth Management Award
1993 Porsche 9286
Owner: Mike Buccicone
Lew Griffin Award
1955 Chevy Bel Air
Owner: Rick Stickel
Corvette Care Award
1998 Chevy Corvette
Owner: Wesley Hawkins
Parks and Recreation Award
2018 Chevy Corvette Z06
Owner: Ron Staay
Funtrail's Award
1989 Chevy Conversion Van
Owner: Matt Golden
Isco Award
1967 Plymouth Barracuda
Owners: Ric & Mary Stare
Mifflin Township Paramedics Award
1964 Chevy Corvette Convertible
Owners: Paul & Jill Andews
Gahanna Police Department Award
1956 Ford F-100 Pickup
Owner: Bob Exline
Best Veteran Car Award
1970 Chevy Chevelle SS
Owner: Darrell Kincaid
The Club Participation Award went to the Vette Set Society.
Here's a sampling of Award of Excellence winners in the Rods and Classics category:
1947 Desoto Custom
Owner: Jesse Bickel
1966 Dodge Charger 383
Owners: Chuck & Betty Fisher
1966 Volkswagon Beetle
Owner: Darren O'Connor
2013 Chevy Camaro ZL1
Owner: Brian Scott
1971 Buick GSX
Owner: Jeff Fortner
1968 Chevy Camaro
Owner: Tom Rizek
1998 Chevy Camaro Z/28
Owner: Mike Arn
1984 Ford Mustang GT350
Owner: Mike O'Callaghan
1971 Chevy Chevelle
Owner: David Zitko
1972 Honda Z-600
Owners: Brian & Karen Joseph
1970 Ford Torino GT
Owner: Chris Kraner
1967 Mercury Cougar
Owner: Ron Keister
1996 Chevy Pickup
Owners: Bill & Vicky Gates
1964 Ford Mustang
Owners: Dennis & Teresa Mitchell
Award of Excellence and Best of Class winners in the Corvette category:
2017 Chevy Corvette Grand Sport
Owner: Tony Holland
2017 Chevy Corvette Grand Sport
Owner: Fred Hoyle
2011 Chevy Corvette Z06
Owner: Jeff Irwin
2012 Chevy Corvette
Owner: Davy Taylor
2011 Chevy Corvette Grand Sport
Owner: Cindy Frye
2008 Chevy Corvette
Owner: Lloyd Williams
2008 Chevy Corvette
Owner:Delaino Garland
2002 Chevy Corvette
Owner: Kevin Kirby
1997 Chevy Corvette
Owners: Vicky & Mike Mansfield
2000 Chevy Corvette
Owner: John Butler
1993 Chevy Corvette
Owner: Gary Berkley
1994 Chevy Corvette
Owner: Bob & Pat Sawyer
1996 Chevy Corvette Grand Sport
Owners: Brian & Tom Scott
1976 Chevy Corvette
Owner: Pat Jackson
1970 Chevy Corvette
Owner: Bill Lenhart
1969 Chevy Corvette
Owner: Craig Grunkemeyer
1967 Corvette
Owner: Bob Parker
1965 Chevy Corvette
Owner: Mark Chaffin
1962 Chevy Corvette Roadster
Owner: Don Everhart
1954 Chevy Corvette
Owner: Bill Payne
Best of Show
Rods and Classics
1969 Volkswagon Beetle Convertible
Owner: Bruce Paul
Corvettes
2013 Corvette Grand Sport
Owners: Tony and Melony Ross
Final Thoughts
Despite the award mix up, the Corvettes, Rods & Classics proved once again why it's one of the top shows in Central Ohio. The venue is unique, the event is organized, the cars are judged, and this year the temperature cooperated by being a few degrees cooler.
After five tries, it looks like the initial parking rush has been resolved by simply closing the streets an hour early. I commend the Capital City Corvette Club for all their hard work to put on a show of this size. Good Job!
Update: I received an email from the club on Monday. After reviewing the score, they assured me that the Award of Excellence I received in the Rods & Classics category is correct. They have ordered another Award of Excellence in the Corvette category and will be delivering it to the winner once it arrives.
Other Shows and Cruise-Ins
Der Dutchman had another big evening of attendance on Thursday with 185 cars. Forty-two of those were first-timers to the cruise-in.
The 16th Annual Purple Door Show at the Grove City, Ohio Methodist Church registered 146 cars on Saturday.
Forty-Eight cars turned out Saturday evening for The Union County Military Family Support Group and Marysville Walmart Car Show. Jeff and Pam Shankle went home with $50 worth of fast food gift cards.
Participant Award winner 
Best Engine 
Best Paint
Our good friend, Marty Ruiz, received the Best Surfin' Shirt award Saturday evening at the Rod Knockers August show in Marion, Ohio.
On Sunday, Big "Dawg" and the C-Town Cruisers hosted 68 cars at the Buffalo Wings & Rings on East Broad Street in Columbus, Ohio. Best of Show went to Torrance and his 1938 Buick Special.
The Hartford Fair Car Show in Croton, Ohio had 177 vehicles in attendance Sunday. Dan DeWeese and his 1968 Camaro took Best of Show. And yes, dust is still a problem...
And finally, I drove over to the Heart of Ohio Antique Center Sunday for their monthly cruise-in. Somewhere between 50 and 60 cars showed up during the afternoon. Dick "Hot Dog" Ryman spun the tunes and raffled away 5, 10 and 20 dollars bills at the end.
Whew! That's it for this week. Another big weekend is on tap next week so stay tuned...