CULLMAN – This past Saturday marked the 5th annual Pontiac GMC Car Show at Sportsman Lake Park. The turnout for the event was a bit lower than previous years due to weather concerns. “We probably got about a third of what would have normally came,” says Pontiac Oakland Club International Alabama Chapter President Dennis Philo. “If they’ve got a lot of money invested in a car, they don’t necessarily want to get it out in the rain. We’re probably down to a third of what we should have.” Despite the weather, 21 beautiful cars still appeared at the event.
Lawrence Sledge is of a rare breed of car collectors who bought his car new from a dealership and has kept it ever since. Lawrence purchased his Pontiac Catalina 2+2 on May 30, 1967.
While most collectors buy a used and often neglected vintage car to restore, Lawrence simply took excellent care of the vehicle he purchased at age 23 and never parted ways with it.
On display in his trunk is the original car manual, paperwork from the dealership in Florence, the receipt from the original license plate, various vintage magazine clippings describing the model, and a plaque from 1989 commemorating his achievement at the same car show, which was then hosted in Talladega.
The car also sports its original license plate from 1967. Lawrence purchased the car for $5,090.89. When asked what the vehicle’s value would be today, Lawrence laughed and said “Well, I’ll put it like this, if anyone wanted to buy it, I would not price it any less than the sticker price there. It’s probably worth upwards of $30,000.”
The event draws attention from both collectors and appreciators alike. Tiffany Todd and her two daughters Tylyn and Ashlynn were among the appreciators at the event.
“We were walking by to go to the flower garden; we didn’t even know this was going on today,” remarked Tiffany. “I’m trying to teach them a little bit about classic cars.” Tylyn, 6, and Ashlynn, 7, giggled and walked around the vintage cars while peering into the driver side windows for a closer look.
“I enjoy looking at nice cars… If I could afford to buy one, I would. I definitely enjoy stopping at a good car show every once in a while, especially when they’re unexpected,” said Tiffany.
The car show also provides a fun place for collectors to speak with others about the hobby.
“It helps perpetuate the hobby and give people ideas of what to do. We have a lot of people who come and look, and maybe they’re restoring their car and want to look at what we’re doing with our cars,” explained Dennis Philo.
Next year’s event will be held on the third weekend of May at Sportsman Lake Park.
“Our members come from Decatur, Huntsville, and the South… so it’s centrally located for us,” explained Philo. The organization is very appreciative of the staff at Sportsman Lake Park and intends to keep the car show at the venue.
“The park has been very helpful and very friendly and loves to work with us,” he said. “It just worked out really well and we really like it.”
Top 6 (in no particular order)
• Danny Bailey, ’67 GTO
• James/Lisa Carlton ’69 Firebird 400
• Johnny Calhoun ’64 GTO Convertible
• Dion Sanger ’66 GTO
• Eric Ruthann Burke ’71 Lemans
• Steve/Cindy Hall ’76 Trans Am
Best of Show
Vintage Category
• Lawrence Sledge ’67 Catalina 2+2
Firebird/Trans Am Category
• Kevin Adams ’69 Firebird 400 Convertible
GTO Category
• Jim Smith ’66 GTO
