Father’s Day car show celebrates the classics

By Sean Barron

Forty-five years ago, things such as bucket seats were viewed by many as luxury items, one car owner said.

NORTH LIMA — If you were part of a German encampment during World War II, you likely would not have welcomed the sight of a 1943 Ford GPW that was set up as a forward observer and equipped with a radio and remote-control device.

“It was extremely high-tech in the 1940s,” said Gary Borman of Beaver Township, who owns just such a rare vehicle.

Borman’s Army vehicle wasn’t helping to track enemy sites, but was on hand at Sunday’s fourth annual Beaver Township Ruritan Father’s Day Car Show at South Range High School.

Borman, a former Beaver Township fire chief, explained that the radio and remote control were used primarily to navigate artillery strikes against the Germans by communicating with a command post, which relayed information to coordinate such bombings.

Borman’s father drove a Jeep and operated a radio as a member of Gen. George Patton’s 3rd Army, and the Ford GPW has his father’s Army serial number etched on a side of the hood.

For its time, the vehicle was quite durable and could travel up to 55 mph, he said. The driver or passenger was able to use an available grease gun and oil can to service the GPW; it also came with a hand crank in case the electric starter malfunctioned, Borman noted.

“It’s a cool, cool piece of history,” he said, adding that the vehicle has the original Ford tractor engine and about 80,000 miles on it.

Perfect weather throughout the four-hour show greeted car enthusiasts and owners such as Jim and Sandy Bush of Columbiana, who sat next to their red 1963 Ω (vehicle came out in April of that year, as opposed to the end) Ford Galaxie.

The car had what many people might have considered as luxury items, including bucket seats, greater aerodynamic capabilities and a 352-cubic-inch engine, Jim Bush pointed out. The Galaxie was built as a racing car and still has the original engine, AM radio, bumpers and vinyl roof, as well as a lot of chrome, he noted, adding that it has had top finishes in two area car shows.

“Back then, chrome was king,” Bush said.

Sandy Bush’s uncle bought the car new, then it was passed on to her mother, who gave it to her, she explained.

For Joe and Mary Jean Marmilich, the black, two-door 1960 Chevrolet Impala they recently bought is the newest installment for their hobby of collecting classic cars, another of which is a 1955 Buick Century.

Joe Marmilich said he replaced much of the original interior, including the seats, and repainted it once. He also replaced the original engine with a more modern 350-cubic-centimeter one, for which he says is easier to find parts.

Marmilich said he takes his latest purchase to car cruises and shows, as well as on small trips.

“It’s a nice hobby; it keeps you busy and out of trouble,” Marmilich said with a chuckle.

Participants also got their fill of oldies music, and the event featured a Chinese auction and car trivia.