2024 Festival of Wheels crowns a 1954 Sunbeam Alpine

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But what's your dream car?

By Paula Pyzik Scott

Does it require an educated eye to enjoy a car show? An impromptu, casual survey of visitors to the 56th Bluffton Festival of Wheels, hosted by the Bluffton Lions Club, suggests that almost everyone has a soft spot for a particular car. In alphabetical order, respondents said:

  • Any car
  • Buick, 1956
  • Buick GS, 1971
  • Chevrolet Bel Air
  • Chevrolet Camaro
  • Chevrolet Chevelle
  • Chevrolet Corvette, 1974
  • Chevrolet El Camino
  • (2) Chevrolet Impala (old school)
  • Chevrolet Nova
  • Chevrolet Nova, 1971
  • Chevrolet Nova SS
  • Chevrolet Stylemaster, 1946
  • Chrysler Imperial, 1962
  • (2) Dodge Charger, 1969
  • Dodge Dart
  • Ford Corvette, 1955
  • Ford Galaxy, 1963
  • Ford Gran Torino, 1972
  • Ford Mustang Fastback, 1965
  • Ford Mustang, 1968
  • Ford Mustang Shelby GT 500
  • Ford Mustang Mach I, 1971
  • Ford Thunderbird, 1955
  • Ford Thunderbird, 1957
  • Ford Thunderbird convertible, 1965
  • (5) I don’t know
  • Jaguar XK-E
  • One that runs
  • Oldsmobile Cutlass SS, 1970
  • Pagani Huayra
  • Plymouth Road Runner, 1970
  • Plymouth Superbird, 1970
  • Porsche 911
  • Volkswagen Beetle
  • Woodie, 1930s

Show judges picked the following 25 cars they deemed to be top quality among the 207 entries. View photos on Facebook HERE.

David Barry-‘65 Chevy Corvair

Bob Blank-‘75 Diamond REO Pickup

John Burky-‘70 Olds Rallye 350

Mark Coburn-‘65 Ford Mustang

Andy Deboze-Radio Flyer Wagon

Denny Desalve-‘69 Chevy Corvette

Dan Groman-‘35 Chevy Standard Phaeton

Mike Harmon-‘66 Ford Mustang

Val John Harris-‘57 Ford Thunderbird

Guy Hartman-‘70 Chevy Chevelle 454

Kevin Hole-‘69 Ford Mustang Mach I

Richard Margraf-‘66 Ford Fairlane

Jed Marquart-‘51 MG TD

Mike/Amy Mitchell-‘69 Olds Cutlass Supreme

Wally Munz-‘70 Chevelle SS 454

D Nemire-‘69 Chevy Camaro 

Mark Obenour-‘70 Dodge Super Bee

Nathan Parker-‘42 Dodge WC-51

Tom Reese-‘58 Chevy Impala

Larry Reichenbach, ‘57 Chevy Bel Air Hardtop

Jeff Ruhlen-‘55 Chevy Bel Air Sport Coupe

Phil Steiner-‘59 Chevy Corvette

Bryan Troyer-‘70 Dodge Coronet R/T 

Jeff Webb-‘52 Chevy 3100 Pickup

Paul Whittington-‘66 Chevy Corvair

Special honors went to:

  • Lions' Choice - Stratton Auto Group, 1957 Chevy Corvette
  • Mayor’s Choice - Brad/Glenna Cox, 1955 Chevy Convertible
  • Sponsor’s Choice - Bill Ellerbrock, ‘63 Chevy Impala Convertible
  • Best Tractor - Greg Schroeder, ‘57 Oliver Super 77
  • Best Motorcycle - Del/JoAnn Henry, ‘59 Cushman Scooter

Best of Show was Tom Bishop’s 1954 Sunbeam Alpine. The two-seat roadster was made by British manufacturer Rootes Motors Limited, which was later taken over by Chrysler. A blue Alpine was featured in the 1955 Alfred Hitchcock film To Catch a Thief in driving scenes with Cary Grant and Grace Kelly.