Despite a few glitches, the organizers of Precision Collision Repair and Restoration’s first ever show N’ shine held July 24-25 were pleased with the results.
The event consisted of a steak supper hosted at Precision’s lot on Friday night, followed by the actual show n’ shine on Saturday.
Don Gibson of Precision Design and Manufacturing, who was one of the main organizers, said they had close to 80 vintage and modified cars, pick-up trucks and motorcycles turn out for the show.
Gibson noted they were very pleased to have many entries from communities far away from Westlock; for instance, the winner of the best motorcycle in the show came from Pincher Creek and there were many entries from Edmonton, Spruce Grove and St. Albert.
Among the out-of-town participants was Lloyd Potter of Edmonton, who tied for Best in Show with his 1940 Pontiac Arrow Coupe.
Potter also took part in the July 12 Westlock Wheels of Class Show N’ Shine and won the Best of the Pre-50s category. He said he did not expect to win again at this event.
“That was a real pleasure,” he said, noting that the other winner of the trophy, a 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air, was also a beautiful car.
Gibson said they were able to showcase the town and many of the attendees commented they were pleased with the event and looked forward to next year.
“I never got a complaint. They were all very happy,” he said.
Although the event was specifically put on by Precision Collision Repair and Restoration, the whole company pulled together to put it on, Gibson noted.
One of the draws was an appearance by airbrush artist Mike Henry — also known as “Horny Mike” — of the History Channel reality TV series Counting Cars.
The series chronicles the daily activities at Count’s Kustoms, a restoration and customization company in Las Vegas.
Henry is one of their airbrush artists who earned the nickname “Horny Mike” for his habit of adding horns to everything, even his clothing.
Gibson noted that Henry was contracted to appear for an hour and a half on Friday night and sign autographs for three hours on Saturday.
He stayed way beyond the time he was contracted, showing up for six hours on Friday and four hours on Saturday.
“He was so accommodating,” said Gibson, noting that the airbrush artist was also willing to take any pictures people requested and he quite enjoyed the community.
