Car show cut short by rain

FALLS VILLAGE — Antique windshield wipers were put to the test during the 13th annual Falls Village Car and Motorcycle Show on Sunday, July 9.

With thunderstorms predicted in the afternoon, many arrived prior to the 10 a.m. start time to score a prime position for their vehicle or to take in the gasoline-infused atmosphere while it lasted.

Judy Jacobs of Jacob’s Garage, the event’s sponsor, said the car show originally began to celebrate the garage’s 80th anniversary in 2010.

“We started with only 100 cars, and it’s gotten bigger and bigger. We had over 1,000 cars one year,” said Jacobs. “This year I think the weather forecast scared a lot of people away.”

As of 10:45 a.m., over 300 vehicles had been registered for the show with many more yet to check in.

Spectators meandered through the streets to get a look under the hood and behind the wheel of the featured vehicles. Car owners and guests expressed appreciation for the free-flowing nature of this event compared to other car shows.

“If you go to a car show behind a church, no disrespect intended, people come set up their lawn chairs and that’s their enjoyment for the day,” said Rich Pelletier from AMS Oil. “This is much more scenic and historic. These people are great up here.

Attendees ate up the show along with live music and selectionsfrom the numerous food trucks stationed around town.

Colter Rule III, who splits his time between Manhattan and Falls Village, had five vehicles entered, including an unusual 1960 Fiat 500 Jolly.

The “Jolly” part was a custom job that added a cloth roof with fringes on the edges, and wicker seats.

He was asked how he got five vehicles to town.

“Helpful friends, my father, and a 5 a.m. alarm,” he said.

Michael Johnson’s 1952 Ford F1 named “Logdog” was on display, captivating kids and adults alike with its one-of-a-kind modifications, display and sound effects. The truck was fitted with teeth and a faux log bumper and bed and was chained to a faux wood stump. Johnson explained this was to “keep him from wandering,” adding that Logdog was “sweet on this nice pink Cadillac” further down the line of cars.

Johnson played loud, wild sound effects to entertain spectators.

There was another unusual 1952 Ford F1 truck. This one, owned and designed by Sam Gentile of New Milford, was decorated extensively.

The theme was the notorious 1974 horror film, “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.”

Asked how he came to choose this motif, Gentile said he works in a haunted house.”In season,” he added.

The haunted house had a “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” theme one year. Gentile took it from there.

He put on a rubber fright mask and waved an elderly chainsaw, not running, around for a couple of visitors to take photos.

A little before noon, the rain began slowly, then suddenly. The downpour sent spectators running for shelter and drove away many of the antique vehicles.

“It’s a nice show. Too bad it wasn’t nice out,” said Ron Bunn from Bristol, who displayed his recently renovated 1935 Ford Coupe at the car show.

A reporter took shelter in the Evans Waterless Engine Coolant tent. Nobody from the company was there. A small display of shop rags and mesh trucker caps with the company’s logo was at the front of the tent, getting wet.

A spectator made to take one of the shop rags, looking inquiringly at the reporter, who shrugged.

“I guess if they didn’t want people to take them they wouldn’t have left them out” said the spectator, who grabbed a cap as well.

The Falls Village Car and Motorcycle Show on Sunday, July 9 was well-attended, but a forecast of rain was cited for lower attendance this year. Photo by Riley Klein