BOTHWELL – It was a triumphant return of the Bothwell Optimist/Old Autos Car Show on Saturday after a two year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thousands of people flocked to see the estimated 2,000 vehicles that were on display.
“Just absolutely phenomenal,” said Bothwell Optimist Larry Wolfe of the turnout.
“It’s hard to believe there’s this many people who want to get out away from this COVID thing and get out and enjoy the sunshine.”
Wolfe, who has volunteered to help make the show happen since it began in 1980, was hearing nothing but positive reviews for the event.
“Everybody I’ve talked to said it’s a fantastic show,” he said, adding many first-time visitors said they will be back.
Fellow Optimist and show organizer Lisa Downie said it is great to be back, “because you see people you haven’t seen for a long time.”
She added those who brought their vintage vehicles “are loving it, they’re having fun.”
Wayne Carter of Wheatley has participated in the show in the past, but this year’s event was special, because he was the first time he was able to bring the 1967 Thunderbird with suicide doors that he inherited from his father.
Carter said his father bought the vehicle in 1970 from the original owner and he is trying to maintain to the standard his father would expect.
“I’m sure a couple of times he wanted to throw lightning bolts down at me,” he quipped.
Although his dad kept his beloved Thunderbird in the garage all the time, Carter said he served as the family vehicle with him and his siblings growing up in it as they went on numerous family trips.
Noting the car still “rides like it’s on air,” Carter said owning the Thunderbird is a dream come true as well as being a great memory of his dad.
Woodstock resident Mary Elliot said the Bothwell car show is the first big event she’s attended to show off her 1974 Pontiac Astre that still has the original canvass tent that attaches to the rear of the vehicle.
“I fell in love with the Astre when I saw it,” she said, adding she hounded the previous owner for about eight weeks until he sold it to her.
Elliot said many people ask if she had the tent made, but she informs them it is original to the vehicle.
She was enjoying the attention her Astre was receiving at the show.
“I’m loving this event,” Elliot said.