Friendly Ford Customer Appreciation Day

By John Emmering

The warm clear weather proved inviting to many collector car owners early Saturday August 3rd as cars streamed into the Friendly Ford dealership lot for the 7th Annual Friendly Ford Customer Appreciation Day Car Show. Our Northern Illinois Regional Group was represented with twelve cars displayed including our member, Friendly Ford Vice-President and part owner, Randy Yockey’s 1940 Ford Deluxe Convertible.

Early arrivals from the NIRG staked out a section of the lot and members rolled in with their Ford V-8s ready to enjoy the car show. 

Bringing Ford V-8s to display were Richard Anderson with his 1950 Ford Deluxe Tudor, Ed Crane with his 1941 Ford Super Deluxe Convertible, John Emmering with his 1951 Ford Custom  Fordor, Paul Lunecki with his 1951 Ford Custom Tudor, Pat Maroney with his 1936 Ford Deluxe Fordor, Tom Myers with his 1945 Ford Pickup Truck, John Scheve with his 1947 Ford Super Deluxe Coupe, Joe Serritella with his 1941 Ford Super Deluxe Coupe, Stan Stack drove his 1953 Ford Customline Tudor, Ron Steck driving his 1941 Ford Super Deluxe Station Wagon, Tom White with his 1950 Ford F-1 Pickup Truck and George Zulas with his 1940 Tudor. Gary Osborne came out in his Ford Mustang.

Once the V-8s were parked for display, members set up chairs and enjoyed an early morning conversation.  A quick trip was made to the registration trailer to register member’s cars.  Wouldn’t you know John Emmering was issued #51 for his 1951 Ford, without requesting it.  

Before long a few members headed over to the neighboring McDonald’s Restaurant for some coffee and breakfast.  Refilling coffee cups they headed back to the lot. 

Walking through the rows of vehicle entrees one could see a variety of automotive history.  A nice selection of Model “T” and Model “A” Fords were on hand.  Ford Motor Company was also represented by several Mustangs, Thunderbirds and Mercuries.  Plenty of other antique cars, special interest autos, trucks and muscle cars were displayed.

As the noon hour approached members in attendance strolled to the food tent where Randy Yockey was personally serving up free hotdogs, bratwurst, chips and cold soft drinks.  Finding a place under the lunch tent a group of NIRG members gathered to partake of the lunch that was provided, while they got out of the warm sun for a while. 

After lunch ballots were available and most of the entrants grabbed a ballot and surveyed the array of vehicles on display.  As the show’s conclusion drew near attendees were invited to come up to the Double K productions registration trailer to hear the results of the vote.  Among the winners was Paul Lunecki’s 1951 Ford for “Best Ford of the 50’s”.   Receiving enough votes for a “Class Award” were John Emmering’ s 1951 Ford, John Scheve’ s 1947 Ford and Ron Steck’s 1941 Ford Station Wagon. 

This was the third year that the NIRG attended the Friendly Ford Car Show as a group activity and it has become a regular part of our summer schedule.  Those attending really appreciated the efforts of Randy Yockey and the Friendly Ford Team in reaching out to the community by hosting this very enjoyable car show.