The Show Must Go On

What do you do as car show organizer when rain is forecast and people keep calling to see if the event will take place?

In Chuck Sheldon's case, he took a chance and proceeded with the annual Street Thunder Car Show at its new locale at Tanger Outlets in North Charleston last Saturday. The move paid off, as rain generally stayed away despite plunging temperatures, and dozens of cars, trucks and cycles took part.

"We're satisfied with the turnout," said Sheldon, who helps run the show sponsored by the Coastal Carolina Corvette Club. "I estimate we have 160 (vehicles) coming out," he said the afternoon of the Oct. 18 event. "I'm really surprised with the quality of cars."

Sheldon said, "I had close to 50 phone calls" the day before checking on whether the show would take place. He said in the future, he would hold the event "rain or shine" instead of setting a rain date as he did this year. That way, he wouldn't have to weigh whether to go ahead on the scheduled date or move it to the rain date.

As is traditional with the Corvette-sponsored show, the famed Chevy sports car was a main player, with models from the late 1950s into the 2000s on hand. Sheldon said at least 50 Corvettes were displayed, including from Columbia.

There were many other brand, too. Randy Kinnunen displayed a 1960 Mercedes-Benz Model 180 painted in the original factory green. "I like it (the show), although the weather could be better," he said, while huddled in the driver's seat.

Butch Boehm drove down from Myrtle Beach the morning of the show in his yellow 1968 Mustang GT California Special. "This is my wife's car," he said, munching on a sandwich. He bought the car several years back, after finding it under a pine tree in Lake City. "I didn't have much rust or anything," Boehm said.

Roadsters, sport cars, classics, pickup trucks and motorcycles lined the parking lot at Tanger Outlets, grouped by class. Sheldon said the shopping plaza off Interstate 26 and Montague Avenue is a great location, especially because of the shopping and eateries nearby. "We're happy," he said.

Reach Jim Parker at 937-5542 or jparker@postandcourier.com