By Brett Hickman 

The 10th annual Beech Grove Carz ‘R’ Us Charity Car Show was Sunday, and one couldn’t have asked for better weather on an early autumn day. 

More than 200 classic and custom cars and hotrods from every decade the automobile has been produced were on display. There were also several vintage and present-day motorcycles and modified factory production cars.

The show is largely pulled off through the efforts of John O’Gara. Food and beverages were available, and raffles were held for various prizes, including a 55-inch television. Proceeds benefit Beech Grove’s Shop With a Cop program, Noble of Indiana and Kottages for Kids.

Sarah Fisher, former IndyCar driver and now co-owner of CFH Racing, was in attendance with her husband and children. She was ready to talk about all things racing. CFH Racing displayed its Midget car for Kyle O’Gara and its IndyCar for Josef Newgarden.  

The near-perfect weather attracted a large number of spectators who wandered up and down Main Street admiring the cars. Thanks to all who participated and donated so much to make it a great event.
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Don’t forget that The Southsider Voice’s last cruise-in of the season gets underway at 6 p.m. Friday at 6025 Madison Ave. 

By Bill Thorpe

In the three years (1946-48) after World War II, Plymouth was the third-most popular nameplate behind Chevrolet and Ford, selling just over 1 million cars. 

The Chrysler bodies were not necessarily beautiful, but they were solidly constructed and outlasted their competitors’ models in on-the-road reliability. The cars were never luxurious, but Plymouth continued its well-earned reputation as an affordable family car. A customer could get behind the wheel of a 1947 model for between $1,150 and $1,626. The Plymouth would remain virtually unchanged from its 1942 styling until 1949.  

The immediate postwar cars are often overlooked in favor of the later designs from the ’50s and ’60s by car enthusiasts, yet they still stand out at any car show or cruise-in and demand your attention.  

Bill Sears discovered his project car in 2010 in a pole barn here in Marion County. He spent two years restoring it as a road-worthy and beautiful tribute to the postbellum era. The frame was in such poor condition that it was replaced with a Chevy S-10 pickup unit. All new fender panels had to be fabricated from new sheet metal and welded together. Power seats from a 2001 Dodge Dakota, new gauges, door panels, a headliner and a low-car shifter were added to finish the interior. 

For power, a General Motors 350-cubic-inch crate engine with an Edelbrock carburetor creating 290 horsepower was added. Sears finished off the restoration with a unique color – the 2010 Viper Anaconda Green, which changes colors in the sun as you walk around the car. His car has won several trophies for its paint job. 

 Modern suspension, brakes and Riddler chrome wheels complete the package. 
Bill and his wife, Chris, can be found cruising to The Suds, The Southsider Voice’s cruise-in and local car shows.  
Until next time, happy cruisin’!