First Place Story
1949 Chevy Pickup, Color - swift red, mileage 66,000 engine size 216 C1
Story by J. R. Rusch, Victoria TX
I acquired my 49 Chevy Pick Up from my grandfather in 1968. The truck over heated so he gave me the truck to fix. The only stipulation was I must keep it original. I agreed. I needed a project in my auto mechanics class in college so this was my project.
The engine was fixed but not restored. I drove the truck until 1978 and parked it and never drove it.
My interest in old vehicles grew in 2001. I rolled the truck out of my barn in Kansas and hauled it to Victoria. I then started tearing the truck down piece by piece, sand blasting and primering the bare metal and ordering parts. The truck rolled for the first time November 3rd, the day before the Old Car Barn Fall Festival.
I drove this truck when I was too young to drive, hauling wheat to the elevator. I could not reach the clutch or brake but I still drove. I was 10 years old at the time.
I have many memories of my Grandfather and his little red truck which is now mine. My son will inherit this like I did when it’s time.

2nd Place Story
1931 Model “A” Ford Deluxe Coupe, Color - green and black
Story by Edward Arnold, Port Lavaca TX
I bought my 1931 Model “A” Deluxe Coupe from a man in Temple, TX in 1972 for $625.00. The engine had been overhauled but not installed. When I brought the car home to Port Lavaca it was a basket case. My wife, Daisy, came out of the house and shook her head and said take this thing to the junk yard. But, I said that it had good possibilities -- so it took me 2 � years to restore it.
In June 1975, Victoria hosted an Antique Car Tour. So, I put it in a state judging contest. To my surprise, I was tied in 2nd place with a man’s coupe from San Antonio. Another thing, about 15 to 20 years ago -- just for the challenge -- I drove this little Model “A” Ford to Dallas and back. It was about a 900 mile round trip. I made this trip by myself in January. I left about 8:00 am in the morning and was in the south part of Dallas at 20 minutes before 5:00pm that evening. We have enjoyed this car for 34 years now. And by the way, my Dad had two Model A Fords back in the early mid 1940’s. I learned to drive his 1930 Model “A” 4 door Town Sedan car in about 1946. So, as you can see, I’ve always had a love for Model “A” Fords.

3rd Place Story
1972 Chevy El Camino, Color - Mahaue Gold
53,000 miles, engine size 350
Story by Gary J. Henrichs, Victoria TX
This car was assembled in Vannoys California, December 15th 1971 and shipped to Lew Williams Chevrolet in Corpus Christi, February 12, 2024
It was purchased by Mid America Leasing out of Corpus Christi on February 21, 1972. On November 9, 1973 Mr. W. C. Schlosser purchased it from Mid America.
Mr. Schlosser drove the El Camino for 27 years. When he reached the age of 92, the El Camino was put in a barn for storage.
On February 21, 2001, the El Camino was auctioned off at Nordheim Shooting Club. The original mileage being 49,436 (verified by sales receipts and auto repair shops)
We became the second owners and restored the vehicle from February 2001 thru June 2002. My wife made a comment about all the dings and dents. It must have been from all the fence posts in Karnes County. But, can’t tell it now!
The mechanics in Yorktown saw the restoration work and can’t believe it’s the same truck!


4th Place Story
1934 Ford 3 Window Coupe, Color - Tanelo Pearl (Orange)
11,000 miles, engine size 3 oz Ford Roller
Story by Frank Barcheck, Victoria TX
I have always wanted to own a street rod since I was 17 years old. I didn’t have the money or time, so I waited until I was “old” and “retired”. Now I have started this project on October 11, 2023 and finished August 1, 2024 - 10 months start to finish. I drive the car everywhere and really enjoy the ride.
The car is a “pure street rod” with a 1934 Ford body, Ford T-5 Transmission and 9” Ford differential (no Chevy power here). I did all the work on the car, except the paint.
The first long trip I took with the Rod was to Florida in February 2006. I went to Daytonna 500. Total of 2,700 miles round trip and didn’t have a problem!
Thanks for having your 2nd annual show. Enjoyed it last year too!