The La Porte County Historical Society is hosting its 6th Annual Old Car Show on Saturday, July 27th from 9AM-3PM. The Car Show is held on the grounds of the museum located at 2405 Indiana Ave. or Highway 35 at the south entrance to La Porte. The event is open to cars 30 years and older. Nearly one hundred classics, muscle cars, and collectible cars of all eras will be on display outside the museum the day of the show.
As a special added attraction this year, there will be a visit from the Tucker family. The descendants of Preston Tucker include his grandson John and John’s 2 sons, Sean and Michael. They will be on hand to greet the public next to Tucker #12, which is on permanent display at the museum as part of the Kesling Automobile Collection.
Vehicle owners are welcome to bring their pride and joy, made in 1983 or before, to the museum beginning at 8A.M. on Saturday, July 27th with registration continuing through 11A.M. Registration fee is $10.00 per vehicle and owners will receive this year’s custom dash plaque as well as other items in their “Goodie Bag”, and a chance at winning one of 6 different trophies. Categories include Mayor’s Choice, from both La Porte and Michigan City, as well as Curator’s Choice and a Preservation Award among others. Plaques will also be given for 5 Owner’s Choice awards and 5 Public’s Choice awards. Vehicle owners will be eligible to win a Door Prize from a variety of local vendors. Door prizes this year also include models of Tucker cars, provided by Tucker Coordinator, Barry Reed.
Public viewing of the Old Car Show and visiting with the Tucker family will begin at 9A.M. The public will be charged $5.00 per carload; this will include admittance to the Car Show AND to the museum, that day only. Those attending will be given ballots to vote for the Public’s Choice awards. Ballots need to be cast by 2P.M. for the trophies to be presented at 2:30P.M. On-site food will again be available for sale provided by B&J’s American Café. They will be located around the back of the building.
The 1948 Tucker “Torpedo” automobile on display in the museum was purchased by Dr. Peter C. Kesling in March of 1975. It is #12 of 50 cars produced. It features a rotating center headlight and the engine is in the rear. It appeared in the 1988 film, “Tucker: The Man and His Dream” starring Jeff bridges. The Tucker family will be traveling from Michigan and Pennsylvania to La Porte for this important historical event.
Some of the other automobiles in the Kesling collection include a Duesenberg and a Delorean. The La Porte County Historical Society Museum also houses the W.A. Jones Collection of Ancient Weapons, as well as more than 80,000 other artifacts depicting the vast history of La Porte County. Visit the website at www.laportecountyhistory.org or call 219.324.6767 for more details.