The Swofford Car, Truck, & Bike Show

By Wally Wersching

On Saturday March 4th, I awoke about 6:30AM. The sky was clear with the sun just rising in the east. My first stop was the Crestview Baptist Church. It was the First Saturday, and they have an “all you can eat” breakfast. The food was delicious, and talking with friends was very pleasant. I really enjoy visiting with them every month. They had a great turnout for the breakfast.

I had been looking forward to the Swofford show. I saw the flyer for the show on the school’s Facebook page.

After breakfast, I headed west on Rt 150 in the Miata with the top down. It was a perfect day for a car show! I stayed straight until I turned left onto Rt 221A. After a few miles, I turned right onto Rt 11. I went through Chesnee, and as I passed Strawberry Hill, I saw all the peach blossoms in bloom on the trees.

Just past Fingerville, SC, I came to the Swofford Career Center where high school students from the surrounding counties learn a trade – anything from auto mechanics, cosmetology, and even the culinary arts. It’s a great alternative to college. There should be more schools like it around. For more info, go to: www.swoffordcareercenter.org.

I parked in the grass next to the road. It was pretty soft and muddy from the rain last night. The car show consisted of almost 300 cars, trucks, and bikes. The weather was perfect – sunny with a slight breeze, and in the mid 60’s. The cars looked great as they shined in the sun. Some of the cars I recognized but many of them were new to me. The entrance fee for a car in the show was $20.00, and for spectators, it was $3.00. All proceeds go to the Swofford Scholarship Fund.

After I paid the three dollars to the man who was taking the money, I walked around to the left along the side of the school building. There was a very diverse group of cars. A few late 60’s MOPARs were parked next to a couple of new Mustangs. There were also many street rods – some way out, and others slightly modified. They were all unique in their own way.

I walked around front to the other side of the school. It was a great car show (as always) with low-riders to high four-wheel drive trucks. It keeps getting bigger every year. I was surprised to see two Pontiac GTO’s in the show – a highly modified 1969, and a very original looking 1971.

I was looking for Greg – the auto-shop instructor. I had another book for him. I have a small library of automotive books – some actual text books. I wanted to give him a text book from 1960 on fuel and ignition systems. There were questions after every chapter that could be used as a test.

I found him driving around in his blue golf cart – making sure that the show went smoothly. We talked for a short while when I gave him the book. He was really excited about receiving it. He has a collection of automotive text books, and now can add another after sharing it with his students.

There were a lot of very nice cars in the show. I was still looking for my favorite. The GTO’s were all nice but I was looking for something a little more unusual.

I continued walking around taking pictures of all the great looking cars. I walked onto the field next to the school’s parking lot, and it was full of cars too. It was one of the largest Swofford Car Shows that I had been to.

In the middle of the large parking lot, wedged between a couple cars was a great looking 1962 Oldsmobile Starfire. I hadn’t seen one in a long time. They were the sporty performance models of Oldsmobile in the late 50s’ and early 60’s. This one was for sale for $35,000 – not a bad price for the condition and rarity of the car.

As I was looking at the Starfire, a man walked up and asked what kind of car it was. He had never heard of a Starfire before. I’m glad that I remember how great they were back in the day.

Another interesting car was a 1940 Mercury four-door. It looked like a streamlined 1940 Ford with smoother lines and a more powerful engine. Mercury cars of that era are rare too.

I thoroughly enjoyed the show. People were very friendly especially the students and faculty working the event. I was glad that they had great weather, and so many people came out to show their cars. It was perfect for the many spectators too.

It was fun for the whole family. At a little after 11AM, I headed back home. I backtracked on Rt 11, turned left onto Rt 221A (north), and drove through Boiling Springs on the way home.