Collectors go ‘nuts’ over their antique cars, trucks

By Sonny Turner
sonny@athensnews-courier.com

March 01, 2008 09:53 pm

— Jerry Johns said when he got married more than three decades ago he had the transmission of his beloved 1940 Ford Coupe under his bed. He said when his wife found out, she had a fit.
But that was the way it was, he said, and still is today because he is “nuts” over that old car.
Earl Greene restored a 1958 Chevy Impala exactly like the one he had in high school, dated in and took on his honeymoon. Today a snapshot of Greene and his wife Charlotte taken with that car on their wedding day in 1963 is “our wedding album,” he said.
Dwight Gooch said he got “hooked” on old cars when he was just 12.
“I used to cut grass on Saturday and take that money to buy model cars to put together on Sunday,” he said.
Today, Gooch has a 1928 Ford AA truck and a 1933 Ford Coupe that he is most proud of.
Bland Allen said his dad, Roger, bought the car he owns, a 1949 Pontiac Chieftain new and that was the car his parents drove on their honeymoon in 1950 to Gulf Shores.
“I’ve got the original invoice and bill of sale when my dad bought it in Aliceville,” he said.
Johns, Greene, Gooch and Allen will be among the more than 300 antique automobile collectors showing off their old cars, trucks and motorcycles at the “Athens on the Square Car Show” April 26. All profits benefit the Limestone County Parks and Recreation Board.
The show is open to cars, trucks and motorcycles. Pre-registration is $15 and $20 the date of the show. Registration begins April 26 at 8 a.m. with a noon cut off time.
“Since we have been out of high school, we all have been car nuts,” said Greene, who will also show off his World War II Russian sidecar motorcycle at the show. “I love old cars, always have, and always will.”
When Johns got out of the service in 1973, he said he took the money he saved in the Army and bought a motorcycle. But he didn’t keep it long.
“On my way back home from Ohio I stopped by to see my brother in Tennessee and I saw this 1940 Ford Coupe,” he said. “I immediately sold my motorcycle and bought that car. That car was all I owned and when it would break, I would fix it.”
Allen has restored his daddy’s 1949 Chieftain and has framed pictures of it and his parents on their wedding day. He even has the first original tricycle they got him when he was a child. He’ll bring it to the show along with his Pontiac.
Gooch’s truck is an original with some minor changes.
The 1933 three-window coupe was completely torn down and rebuilt by Gooch. He purchased the car four years ago.
Johns said he will also bring a 1947 Lincoln Zephyr convertible, which the collectors said is “very rare” to the show.
Greene said his 1958 Impala has the original hubcaps and tachometer. The car is featured in the Southern Rodder magazine that was published several years ago.
He said he would also bring a 1956 Mercury Montclair to the show.
Jimmy Smith Pontiac-Buick-GMC is sponsoring the show. Vehicles entered in the show must be present to win prizes.

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