During my restoration, I added my picture to a Mecum post on Facebook asking for people to share a picture and story of their old ride.

A month later, Mecum used my picture in their updated post asking for more pictures and stories.

In October my brother Greg, and I attended the Mecum Auction in Chicago. We were able to find Katie in the lot reviewing cars, and she was kind enough to autograph the picture. I am sure she was just being polite, but she claimed she remembered the story and seemed excited to meet the man behind the story. She had my brother take our picture on her phone too.

I am a huge fan of Mecum Auctions, so this was a pretty cool moment for me.

I was excited to enter her in her first car show at White's Ford in Urbana on July 30, 2021

I was so proud she brought home a top 20 plaque.

I had a lot of Facebook friends following the restoration on line. Their encouragement and support meant a lot to me, and kept me motivated to complete the project.

This would be my sixth year attending the Trans Am NationaIs, but I was more nervous and excited to attend this year than any other year.

I parked my car in the field and I was immediately overwhelmed by people coming to look at the car and introduce themselves.

I attended the club dinner that night and had the honor of sharing a table with John Schinella, Suzanne Bell, Jim Shook, and Scott Andrews.

The next day at the show, they stopped by my car to hear my story and see the car in person.

John autographed my book and they posed for a picture with me. What a thrill !

We lined em up and enjoyed the show.

Show off those Formula hoods!

On the last day of the show, I put up pictures of the cars as the winners are announced. I cannot explain the thrill of showing the picture of my car when they announce first place in the stock 82-92 class!

Winning this award was the ultimate validation of all my hard work over the last year.

The smile on my face says it all. I was exhausted, but it was more than worth it.

It was a bonus to share this day with Jay, who had been by my side the entire way.

I was thrilled to receive first place in the stock 82-92 Firebird class

Saturday Show field

Saturday night Tipp City Cruise In

This year I focused more attention on my Mini Nationals Display. I added a running water fountain, painted parking lot with grass and trees, and spectators.

Of course, I included a trophy ceremony in front of the fountain with replicas of mine and Jay's cars

I added a Steve Hamilton Tribute. He brings 6 cars from his collection every year to share with the crowd.

A Mini Nationals Display would not be complete without a Smokey and the Bandit display

I picked up a commemorative whiskey barrel lid in the auction. Thank you Gretta for bringing it this year!

And this year I got to celebrate Jay's first place win in the stock 82-92 class.

I attended the Saturday morning Cars and Coffee cruise in with the Desert Hawkes Car Club

These guys know how to Cars and Coffee! Tim picked the perfect parking spots so we could watch the entire show field leave the show at the end of the day. Burnouts were encouraged.

Stacie and I attended the 50's themed Saturday Night Preview Party Honoring the cast of Grease

The 58 Impala seemed like the fitting ride for the night

It was an honor to have my car invited to participate in this prestigious show.

I parked next to fellow Desert Hawkes Car Club member Dave Garber with his 1970 Trans Am. Thankfully he was in the Preservation class and I was in the Future Classic class. I would not want my car judged against that car.

One of the many vintage displays at Carillon Park

My class host notifying me of my award

My first blue ribbon

Staging for the parade

Here we go!

I could not have been happier. I was so excited, I drove out of the show and dropped Stacie off at her car. It wasn't until I was half way home I realized I should have parked and gone back to watch the rest of the awards and posed for some pictures. Oh well, next time I will remember.

This trophy weights about 25 lbs. It is a very cool replica of the Carillon bells