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Showdown in I-Town

“Showdown in I-Town: Ford vs. Chevy” is the theme for the 2013 Iola Old Car Show and Swap Meet.

Car lovers will have a chance to see a wide variety of Ford and Chevrolet models competing side-by-side July 11-14 at Iola ’13.

The Ford vs. Chevy theme was chosen for the Midwest’s largest old car show by the Wisconsin Chapter of Automotive Historians.

The Iola show has hosted numerous salutes to Fords and Chevrolets over the past 40 years, but this is the first time they will be featured together.

The two companies fought it out for sales supremacy and customer loyalty over most of their history. Ford began producing vehicles in 1903; Chevrolet started less than 10 years later.

Look for the “Showdown” display in the feature tent and the surrounding area.

The Iola ’13 poster features a pair of 1970 big block intermediates: Dennis Clegg’s Chevelle SS-454, from Hortonville, and a Ford Torino Cobra owned by Larry Jensen of New London.

“Of the four 1970 Chevelles I owned, this is the nicest one I’ve ever had,” Clegg said.

Jensen’s Ford was restored in his shop in New London.

The tear down began in 2000, and it was ready for car shows by 2005. According to Jensen, the car will never be considered completed.

“I’m still adding pieces,” he said.

Oldest ‘Four-Ninety’ Chevy on display

The oldest surviving “Four-Ninety” Chevrolet four-passenger touring car will be displayed at Iola ’13.

The three-door vehicle, owned by Dr. Gerald and Sharmon Perschbacher of St. Louis, Mo., features original seat upholstery.

The “Four-Ninety” gets its name from its initial sale price of $490.

It was the first Chevrolet to compete head-to-head with Ford.

Teamed to Learn

Started in 2008, the “Teamed to Learn” tent offers an educational opportunity for Iola Old Car Show attendees. A variety of workshops and experiences relative to car restoration and automotive history are offered each year. Located west of the tower and activity center, the tent offers a place to sit back and enjoy.

This year’s feature display will be “The Everything Camaro – Tribute to a Son.” Todd Nelson displays his restored 1969 Camaro to help remind people not to drive distracted. His son, Taylor, was killed by a distracted driver in 2007.

Fred Beyer, who founded the Hot Rod High© Student Motivational Technology Education Program, serves as host and educational director for Teamed to Learn. Noted for his musical talents, Beyer incorporates music with learning. He will share many ragtime piano selections as part of the entertaining and learning experience.

Other highlights

With over 4,400 swap spaces, hobbyist can find that certain part to complete their car restoration or visit with vendors which offer specialty car restoration services. Anyone dreaming of owning a collectible car can check out the car coral with up to 1,000 classics for sale.

The “Blue Ribbon Concourse” will feature some of the nicest restored stock vehicles in the Midwest. There is also a display of modified and hotrods in the modified section.

The 2014 show will be held July 10-13.

The Iola Old Car Show Inc, is a non-profit corporation operated for the civic/service and charitable groups which provide services and volunteer labor for staging the show. All proceeds benefit over 125 service groups and help support community services and projects in the Iola-Scandinavia area, along with national and international charities.

For more information, call 715-445-4000 or visit www.iolaoldcarshow.com.

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