By Kevin Coughlin
When Bob Wagner was a kid, his mom drove a Chevelle station wagon.
“I liked the nose on it,” he said.
Nine Chevelles later, Wagner still likes the lines. His refurbished ’70 model was among nearly 90 classic cars ringing the historic Morristown Green on Monday night, for the first “Cops & Rodders” show organized by Morristown PBA Local 43.
The idea was to stir some weeknight excitement, and maybe a little extra business for local restaurants, said Patrolman Don Chaudruc, proud owner of a ’70 GTO.
If turnouts are good at the next two car events, on Sept. 13 and Oct. 12, 2016, the PBA may attempt monthly shows next year, Chaudruc said.
Despite overcast skies, the polished chrome nearly was blinding on Monday. Yet the shiny colors weren’t what grabbed 10-year-old Camila Morales. Her favorite vehicle was olive drab: An M38A1 Jeep, complete with a (non-working) .50 caliber machine gun.
“I got to go on it,” explained Camila, enjoying the show with her dad, Efren.
The Jeep belongs to Morristown resident Terry Weaver, who rode in vehicles just like it when he served as a Marine in Vietnam from 1966-68.
These vehicles are great off-road, he said, but hairy on highways.
“They’re horrendous for flipping.” Depending on the situation, the gun was an “attitude-adjuster” or an “attention-getter” during the war.
“Once you fired this thing, EVERYONE started shooting at you,” Weaver said.
What’s the attraction of classic cars?
“It’s an art form,” said Bob Wagner, the Chevelle guy. The Chester resident has an auto body shop in Denville; his wife Lauren does custom car radios in Morristown.
It may be art, but Wagner said he’s got it down to a science, too. Restorations that take others two years only take him about six months, he said.
The one he drove to the Green cost him $1,300, used, back in 1986, and it was his transportation for a couple of years. Then he worked his magic on it.
“Someone offered me $100,000 for it at a car show last year,” Wagner said. Nice try. “This is my baby. I’m never selling it.”
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Great event , by Morristown s finest
Awesome event for the town, sorry I missed it. I’ll be at the next 2 events for sure!