IOLA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The Iola Car Show started as a friendly way for people to show off their vehicles.
Now it has swelled into one of the biggest automobile events in the country.
The 50th Annual event is expected to be bigger than ever.
On the car show grounds, the old replica service station, advertises gasoline for .26.9 a gallon. Iola Car Show officials says it may be fairly easy to talk about times gone by, and the cars that fueled people’s memories.
“There’s something about this show, and this passion, that takes people back to their younger days. Or a simpler time,” said Joe Opperman, Iola Car Show Executive Director.
Opperman says people from all over the world converge on Iola every year for the swap meet and show. Bruce Wendorf restored a 1955 Chevy Bel Air two-door sedan.
“I found this one. It was a former drag car, and when I found it, it was red and white. But when I saw the VIN tag, or the data plate, that it was originally a a turquoise car. So it was the one I had to buy,” said Bruce Wendorf, Slinger.
Wendorf says he drives the car too, and he’s put on about 35,000 miles over the last 25 years. Three generations of the Larson family drove from Fennimore to check out the show.
“I’ve been coming here for 21 years. And the boys, probably around 19 years. And we love, we just love the cars, the old cars, and we’re looking for parts. I have a 1962 Impala, I’m looking for parts for it,” said Ron Larson, Fennimore.
More than 120,000 people are expected to attend the three-day event. Opperman says each of the 2,500 vehicles comes with a story.
“Cars are only a medium, and that’s the thing about this. People come to look at the cars, talk about the cars, to shop for parts but it’s really about the people. People have that common bond with cars,” he said.
The Iola Car Show doubles as a fundraiser.
Officials say over the years, more $9 million dollars will be awarded to volunteer organizations in the area.
