Charleston Boulevard Road Run and Doo Wop

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Some people like antique furniture. Others like old lamps or vintage jewelry.

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Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008 - Sparks fly at the drag-out event as part of the third annual Charleston Boulevard Rod Run and Doo Wop auto show held last weekend on Kanawha Boulevard.

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The Charleston resident was one of hundreds of classic car owners who showed off their treasured vehicles on Kanawha Boulevard Saturday afternoon at the third annual Charleston Boulevard Rod Run & Doo Wop auto show.

The show, which continues today, has drawn people from states including Michigan, Florida, Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee, said organizer Lloyd McIntyre.

He estimated that the entire weekend would attract more than 100,000 visitors.

The first show had about 400 cars. On Saturday, more than 700 cars had been registered by the afternoon. Organizers wanted to have something for everybody, McIntyre said, from evening concerts to a car maintenance seminar for women.

Events like the hydraulic contest were geared toward the younger generation of car lovers. Spectators cheered as cars hopped and bounced on Kanawaha Boulevard near Magic Island.

"It's all about timing," said contestant Matt Crabtree, 31, of Columbus, Ohio. "You gotta hit the switch right to make it hop right."

Crabtree's 1968 green Chevy Impala glistened in the sun, but competitor Bill Smith's '70 Chevy Malibu and '92 S-10 weren't as pretty.

"I'm not too concerned about what they look like," said Smith, 32, who works at a stamping plant in Detroit. "I just like the cars that work right."

 Charleston Boulevard Road Run and Doo Wop

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Some people like antique furniture. Others like old lamps or vintage jewelry.

"Us guys and some gals, we like old cars," said Larry Cottrell as he stood next his black cherry metallic 1949 Chevy pickup.

The Charleston resident was one of hundreds of classic car owners who showed off their treasured vehicles on Kanawha Boulevard Saturday afternoon at the third annual Charleston Boulevard Rod Run & Doo Wop auto show.

The show, which continues today, has drawn people from states including Michigan, Florida, Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee, said organizer Lloyd McIntyre.

He estimated that the entire weekend would attract more than 100,000 visitors.

The first show had about 400 cars. On Saturday, more than 700 cars had been registered by the afternoon. Organizers wanted to have something for everybody, McIntyre said, from evening concerts to a car maintenance seminar for women.

Events like the hydraulic contest were geared toward the younger generation of car lovers. Spectators cheered as cars hopped and bounced on Kanawaha Boulevard near Magic Island.

"It's all about timing," said contestant Matt Crabtree, 31, of Columbus, Ohio. "You gotta hit the switch right to make it hop right."

Crabtree's 1968 green Chevy Impala glistened in the sun, but competitor Bill Smith's '70 Chevy Malibu and '92 S-10 weren't as pretty.

"I'm not too concerned about what they look like," said Smith, 32, who works at a stamping plant in Detroit. "I just like the cars that work right."

Some people are cutting back on the hydraulic hobby, he said. It isn't cheap.

"With the economy the way it is, there's not money for it," he said. "You can't do it for free."

For instance, a motor costs $100, and he needs four per vehicle.

Both Crabtree and Smith won prizes because they were the only competitors in the contest.

Other events Saturday included an engine-building demonstration by the Givens Machine Shop. The family-owned business opened in 1955.

"We've done probably a third of these cars [at the show], if not more," said Janie Givens, daughter of shop founder Harold Givens.

At 88, her father still works nine hours a day at the West Side shop. He greets customers, answers the phones and rides a scooter around to carry auto parts around the shop.

This year, the auto show is getting some special attention from Dennis Gage, who will feature it on his Speed Network show "My Classic Car."

"He's been filming all day today," McIntyre said. "And of course the car people are just going nuts that their car might be on national television."

The show resumes at 8 a.m. today. Visit www.charlestonwvcarshow.com for a complete schedule of events.

Reach Alison Knezevich at alis...@wvgazette.com or 348-1240.