Mary Davenport has been around cars her whole life, and for the last 12 years she has been organizing car shows to benefit various charities. This past Saturday, Davenport organized and held the Bug-Arama car show in LaGrange Mall’s parking lot to benefit the American Cancer Society.
Davenport started the benefit car shows after her great-nephew was born with multiple challenges. The boy, who is now 12, has endured 21 operations. Davenport used her love for cars to try to help her nephew and others like him.
“That’s what I like to do best, hold benefit car shows to help other people. I run this particular show in the fall and spring,” Davenport said.
Her husband, Ron, and 14-year-old granddaughter, Ashley McChargue, also help her run the shows.
“Ashley knows how to do everything for these shows, she could run them herself if she had to,” Davenport said.
Davenport runs all different types of car shows but this one was devoted to Volkswagen models. The show featured VWs from as early as 1957 in a variety of models and colors.
Car owners said they spend a considerable amount of time and money to refurbish and maintain their vehicles, and enjoy sharing their stories with others at these shows.
Jim Ludwig, past president and current member of the Central Alabama Volkswagen Club, was at the show with his cream-colored 1974 Volkswagen Transporter.
“It has all original parts, I rebuilt the engine and it has always been garaged. I am the second owner,” Ludwig said.
Ludwig is from Birmingham, Ala., and attends shows all over the Southeast.
Jeanette Moore, of LaGrange’s Moore’s Bonding Company, was the sponsor of Saturday’s show. She provided the trophies and items for the raffles and door prizes for the event, and was showing her coral-colored 1963 VW Beetle.
Moore’s car had its top open and had a traditional window tray attached to the driver’s side complete with a dish of preserved ice cream, which was overturned and seemed to be melting.
“People think that this color isn’t original but it is, the color is coralette. Sixty three was the last year they made the slide top,” Moore said.
At the end of the afternoon owners of the three top cars received trophies. The Mid-America Motor Award for Best in Show went to Clive for his ‘57 VW. The awards for the two Top Best went to Goolseby for his restored ‘62 VW and to Ludwig for his ‘71 VW Transporter.
The cars generated a fun-filled afternoon with nearly 200 individuals getting the opportunity to view the vehicles and talk to the owners.
Next Saturday, Davenport is running another car show in conjunction with the benefit concert that is being held for Korey Latham, a young cancer victim. The concert will feature multiple local musical performers including Doug Stone and Corbette Jackson.
The $30 car registration fee also includes one concert ticket. The car show and concert is being held at the Newnan High School Stadium at 11 in the morning.
Saturday’s car show is for vehicles of all makes, models and ages. Trophies will be given for the 10 Top and two best in show vehicles. Car registration is open for this event until the day of the show.
For further information for next week’s benefit or for information concerning future car shows contact Davenport by email at myraspberry68@charter.net, or by calling 706-408-0422.
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