A restored 1983 Ford F350 won a trophy in the Modified Truck class at Saturday’s Virginville Fire Company Car Show. For the truck’s owner, winning honored the memory of a friend.
“This was my best friend’s truck. He passed away about six years ago,” said Josh Fairchild, Kutztown.
His friend, the late John Smith of Kutztown, was killed in a farming accident one week after graduating from Kutztown High School in 2010. The truck sat for nearly six years until Fairchild bought it about six months ago and restored it, putting in an International diesel tractor motor.
“It came a long way from a broken frame, didn’t run right, missing doors. It was on the rougher side,” said Fairchild.
The Virginville Fire Company Car Show was the truck’s first car show.
“This is a tribute. Being my best friend’s truck, I always wanted to get it back on the road,” he said. “It came a long way. Did a lot of work to it but it was fun to do and put it back on the road.”
Fairchild was very happy to win the trophy.
“The truck means a lot to everybody here. John has a history with everybody and it’s just neat to have the truck back on the road,” said Fairchild. “We used to drive this truck everywhere, to the beach, tractor pulls; it didn’t matter where or when, we just went. Farming to whatever, it was a do-it all.”
Other car show enthusiasts also braved the wet weather to support the Virginville Fire Company on May 7.
“This is the second year we’ve done a car show. While Mother Nature didn’t cooperate this year, it wasn’t as good as last year, but we’re going to try again for next year,” said Virginville Fire Co. Assistant Chief Stephen Bleiler.
Funds raised by the event benefit the fire company, going toward such things as bills, the general fun and equipment.
“Every little bit we raise helps,” said Bleiler.
The 2nd annual Virginville Fire Company Car Show, held at the fire company field, was open to 19 classes including motorcycles and a tractor class. The fundraising event also included food by Mission BBQ, DJ, games, Chinese auction, 50/50 and auto vendors.
“Just getting out here in the open. We’re a little different since we’re in the country. We have a tractor category. Some people say, ‘Tractors?’ but we do,” said Bleiler. “Everybody coming out and having a good time, socializing, it makes it fun.”
Scot Smith and his son Brandon, 18, New Tripoli, won Best Tractor for their 1950 Ford V8N.
“The weather was not the best,” said Scot with a laugh. “We heard it was better last year. We’ll come back next year to this event. It’s well done.”
Scot said he is happy to support the fire company.
“Good bunch of people,” he said. “Doing a good thing for the community.”
The Smith’s are part of the Old Time Plow Boys and were happy that the car show included a tractor class.
“Everywhere you go, there’s a car show. Things like this are hand built. It gives people something else to look at, hopefully gain an appreciation for it,” said Scot. “Look at the heritage. There’s agriculture all around us. That’s why I enjoy doing it.”
While not farmers, Scot and his son Brandon restored the tractor together.
“It’s actually a tractor that my Dad bought for my son,” said Scot. “(The idea was) to build something very unique but that was authentic of the era and to let other people learn something from it, mainly him. Never had a video game in our house. If you’re bored, go out to the garage and build something.”
Brandon, a senior at Northwestern High School, has an interest in mechanical engineering.
“It’s fun building with my father. My grandfather bought the tractor for me when I was 8 or 10 years old and I farmed with it up on his farm,” said Brandon. “Restoring it was his dream, too.”
Dean Loeb, Hamburg, won a trophy in the Antique 1900 to 1949 class for his 1930 Ford Model A.
“(The fire company) needs support. They take care of the community and the surrounding areas,” said Loeb.
Chris Billig lives down the street from the fire company. He won the Stock Truck 1959 to Current class for his 1974 AMC Jeep CJ5.
“It’s a nice, little, quiet (car show),” said Billig. “(The fire company) is a good local thing to support. I come down for breakfast so it was another way to support the fire company.”
Trophies were also presented to the following:
Best of Show: Michael Billig, 1968 AMX
Antique 1900-1949: Carson Krause, 1931 Ford Model A
Antique 1950-1969: Carl Billing, 1953 Hudson Hornet
Muscle 1950-72: Ken Rentschler, 1967 Chevy Camaro
Muscle 1973-Current: Brad Clay, 1994 Ford Mustang
Corvette 1993-2000: Jeff Anderson, 1997 Corvette
Soon after the raffle winners were announced and the trophies were presented, the event concluded.
“I’d like to thank everybody who helped make the car show today what it was,” said Bleiler. “Unfortunately, Mother Nature didn’t cooperate but I want to thank everybody for what they’ve done for us and the community for supporting the fire company. We will do it again, same time next year.”
