2nd Annual LaSalle Street Auto Row Show

By Ken Bounds

On August 8 member Joe Dispensa’s group Friends of LaSalle Street held their second annual car show to promote revitalization of this historic area of downtown Aurora, IL.  Despite periodic sprinkles, the long block between Downer Place and Benton Street was filled with 75 classic cars and trucks of all varieties, including by a large turnout of Early V-8s.

NIRG members participating included Joe & Marie Dispensa, who showed the mostly-completed chassis from Joe’s ‘51 Ford Pickup project in his show headquarters building; Ken Bounds – ‘36 Roadster; Tom Buscaglia – ’51 Tudor; John Judge – ’50 Convertible; Joe Kozmic – ’53 Mercury and ’63 Corvette driven by Bob Murphy; Frank Madrigali – ‘51 F-1 Pickup; Joey Novak – ’40 Pickup; Tom & Madeleine O’Donnell – ’40 Mercury; Dan Pudelek – ‘53 Victoria; Stan Stack with Ron Dopke  – ‘53 Tudor; Len & Irene Vinyard – ’39 Convertible; and Alan Wall – ’62 Pontiac.  Other members attending the show without a classic car included John Slobodnik who assisted Joe with the show as a volunteer and John Scheve.

Participants spent the day enjoying the car show, touring some of the historic buildings on the block, and hanging out with old friends.  There were the usual options for lunch and many of us took advantage of the delicious freshly-barbequed brisket or pulled pork.  As we did at the inaugural show, we enjoyed our lunch with a cold beverage at the local Elks club which was open to the public for the day.  A highlight occurred when Len Vinyard apparently bumped his head or suffered from temporary dementia; he pried open his wallet and carelessly bought a few rounds of drinks.

At the end of the day a number of trophies were awarded; our members certainly did not go home empty-handed.  President Dan Pudelek accepted a trophy on behalf of the NIRG for the car club showing the most cars.  Ken Bounds’ Roadster won best car of the Thirties while Joe Kozmic’s Corvette took best of the Sixties.  John Judge’s Convertible won 3rd Place and Joe Kozmic’s Mercury took the impressive Best of Show trophy.

We thank all the members for coming out and supporting a very good cause for a fellow club member.  We thank Joe Dispensa for putting on a classy show and for his work toward revitalizing an important part of Aurora’s history.