By Marlena Ballinger

More than cars were on display on Friday, June 19, at Bluffton’s 58th Annual Festival of Wheels, put on by the Bluffton Lions Club.

Featured this year was a jail cell where John Dillinger was held after robbing Bluffton's Citizens National Bank in 1933. Right beside this was the 2026 best of show winner, Larry Reichenbach's 1956 Chevy Corvette. Reichenbach was among over 250 vintage car, truck, motorcycle and tractor enthusiasts displaying their prized possessions.

Recently, the Icon reported that Reichenbach donated the Corvette to the Vintage Chevrolet Club of America to honor his late wife Judy (Bluffton couple's love of cars to benefit UNOH automotive majors). The car was recently sold for $81,959 on https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1959-chevrolet-corvette-146/  

Another feature of this year’s show was a fleet of antique and specialty law enforcement cars from the Cleveland Police Museum.

The Bluffton Lions Club event featured all kinds of vintage cars, motorcycles and farm tractors. The following vehicles were selected for top honors:

• Mayor’s Choice, Larry Wick, 1939 Chevy
• Lion’s Choice, Jim Huether, 1955 Chevy Nomad
• Sponsor’s Choice, Chris & Jill Cascaden, 1958 DeSoto Firesweep
• Best Motorcycle, Del Gratz, 1973 Norton
• Best Tractor, Jason Althaus, 1948 Ford 8N

A complete list of this year’s winners was compiled by Dan Groman on the Festival of Wheels Facebook page.

Top 25 entries

Mark Rex, 1967 Mercury Cougar

Aaron Harris, 1973 Dodge Dart

Jason Thompson, 1964 Olds Starfire

Jack Cramer, 1956 Chevy Suburban

Bob Mack, 1955 Chevy 150

Tom Nonnamaker 1969 Chevy ElCamino

Craig Shaw, 1956 Mercedes 150SL

Del & JoAnn Henry, 1966 Ford Econoline Pickup

Darla Feasel, 1966 VW Bus

Bill Feasel, 1959 Chevy Apache Pickup

Ron Newell, 1962 Chevy C-10 Pickup

Jerry & Nancy Young, 1962 Ford Galaxie 500

William Thom, 1966 Chevy Impala

Dan Groman, 1935 Chevy EC Standard Phaeton

Tom Dietsch, 1964 Plymouth Fury Convertible

Brad & Glanna Cox, 1955 Chevy Bel Air

John Sommers, 1973 Chevy Nova

Mike Erman, 1970 Ford Mustang Mach I

Darryll August, 1962 Chevy Impala SS

Linda Perkins, 1948 Chevy 3100 Pickup

Dave & Shelly Yeater, 1967 Chevy Chevelle SS

Larry & Pam Reinhart, 1956 Chevy Bel Air

Kevin Hole, 1967 Ford Mustang Mach 1

Larry Snook, 1962 Ford Fairlane 500

Mark Novak, 1955 Ford F100 Pickup