Video: Columbus Car Show Has Record Turnout

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COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) — Cars from several states are in Columbus for the Southside Heritage Antique Car Show.

“It’s got an LS motor in it. It’s producing a little over 600 horse,” said Les Walker, a Mobile, AL resident who entered his car in the show.

It’s easy to see these men love cars. It’s a passion that’s grown since they were just kids.

“When I was in the military, I traveled all over the country, and seeing different cars and stuff, and as a young boy, I grew up around cars, so I just enjoy cars,” said Leon Skipwith, an Orlando, FL resident.

“Growing up, I never had a car, or my family didn’t have a car, and I always admired the cars going by, and I said that one day I’d have a car,” Walker said.

These military veterans enter their cars in several shows, but they don’t do it to win. They do it for swapping war stories, and checking out each other’s cars.

“Just an excuse to drive it,” Skipwith said. “We don’t try to win. There’s no competition. We just go to a car show to show it.”

Participants do most of the car repairs themselves, which can get pretty costly in both time and money.

“It’s not cheap, not cheap at all,” Skipwith said. “I estimate somewhere between $35,000 and $40,000, depending on what kind of car it is.”

The repairs may be expensive, but these car lovers say the cost is worth it when they get to show off the finished product.

“Once you get to drive it and get compliments from other people for the work that you’ve put into it, that’s when it really feels good,” Walker said.

And even better if they get a trophy to put in it.

Organizers say at least 100 cars were entered in the show this year – their biggest turnout yet.