2025 Vintage Showcase

VintageShowcase Vintage 2025

A Special Supplement to

VintageShowcase Vintage 2025

Classic cars are more than machines; they are rolling stories that connect eras, craftsmanship, and community, especially here in West Michigan. Generally considered vehicles from past decades that embody distinctive design and engineering, they showcase the aesthetics and ingenuity that shaped motoring before the digital age. From chrome-laden American cruisers and elegant European roadsters to quirky microcars and early Japanese innovators, each model reflects its moment in history — materials, styling cues, and mechanical solutions that defined the road.

Car shows bring these histories to life. Owners curate their vehicles with care, balancing originality with tasteful preservation or periodcorrect restoration. Under the hoods, carburetors, distributor caps, and analog gauges invite hands-on understanding — part of the appeal for enthusiasts who

relish learning, tuning, and maintaining their cars. On the show field, stories flow as freely as gasoline: family heirlooms, barn finds, and long-term builds sit side by side, drawing spectators with patina, polished paint and the unmistakable soundtrack of classic engines.

Beyond nostalgia, classic cars foster connection. Clubs, cruises, and charity events welcome newcomers and seasoned collectors alike, turning admiration into mentorship and friendship. Whether you’re drawn by design, mechanical purity, or personal memories, classic cars invite you to slow down, look closely, and celebrate the journeys they — and their caretakers — continue to make.

We hope you enjoy our second annual Vintage Showcase publication and keep an eye out next year to submit your Classic rides through the Pioneer Newspaper.

Original one owner car, purchased in 1969 at Wink Chevrolet in Dearborn, Michigan. Two Door Malibu Sport Coupe - SS 396 option package: 396 C.I. 325

H.P. - Muncie 4 - speed - Hurst Shifter, AM - FM Multiplex Stereo Radio - original Vinyl interior - bucket seats - special SS rims - courtesy lights.

Driven year round for nine years in Michigan. It has the original spare tire.

Marshall Henry | Canadian Lakes.

The "Cruella DeVille" car is a 1982 Zimmer. Made in Florida and has a Mustang core. A 302 HO Ford engine. Only around 800 produced.

Jim Brand | Canadian Lakes

2002

A 2002 model of what is often called the "retro-bird." These cars were the eleventh generation of the Ford Thunderbird, and were made for four model years, 2002 - 2005. Their styling was intended to evoke nostalgia for the original two-seat Thunderbirds made from 1955 - 1957. They were particularly popular among the generations who remembered the original Thunderbirds. Only slightly over 60,000 of these cars were made during their four-year production run. My car is in the 2002-only color of Inspiration Yellow and is a convertible with a removable hardtop. It has a little over 53,000 miles on it. The car is powered by a 3.9L, 252 hp, DOHC V8 engine. It has a 5-speed automatic transmission with overdrive and fully independent suspension.

Phil Little | Canadian Lakes

Family owned and operated since 1970 (55 years)

‘Felix the Cat’ patrol car wins top honors at car show

By Cathie Crew Pioneer staff writer

Felix the Cat, as it is referred to, is a black and white 1950 Plymouth Special Deluxe owned and operated by Jeff Pudil, owner of Sand Hill Gun and Knife located in Peacock Township in Lake County.

The vehicle, dressed out in the style of an early 50’s Lake County patrol car, as a tribute to the “brave men and women of law enforcement past and present,” participated in the 69th Annual Troutarama Parade on July 26, driven by Pudil, who is also a sergeant with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Division.

Pudil said that he had been looking to build up a retro-cruiser for the last few years and when he came across the vehicle from a seller in Grand Rapids, he went for it.

“I picked the car up in March in Grand Rapids,” Pudil said. “It had one owner from 1955 to 2025. The same person owned the car for 70 years. I found it and said, ‘This is a good looking car, a solid car and would be a great candidate to build up as a retro Lake County Cruiser — a representative of what law enforcement would have been driving back then.”

He researched the various archives at the sheriff’s department, the Lake County Historical Society and the Lake County Star for information about what the vehicle should look like, and came up dry until he came across some posts on Facebook with pictures of a 1950s law enforcement vehicles, which he used to recreate the decals and lights and siren placement on Felix.

“This is a continuing project, as we try to get it as close to the real thing as possible,” he said.

The vehicle was on display during the annual Troutarama car show, where it was awarded the “Most Likely to Get Pulled Over” trophy.

Additionally, it was awarded the Top 20 Participant’s Choice in the car show, an honor that came later.

“So, I guess the story on Felix’s big weekend in downtown Baldwin wasn’t quite finished,” Pudil said in a post on the Sand Hill Gun and Knife Facebook page said. “I got a phone call saying, ‘Hey, we got your trophy here at Baldwin Lumber from the car show Saturday.’”

The top 20 participants at the car show were polled and chose the Old Plymouth as their favorite, he said.

“Completely unexpected, as there were some absolutely amazing vehicles on display there,” Pudil said.

“To get picked as the ‘car guys’ favorite,’ to me, is a bigger honor than a Best in Show.

That being said, I hereby announce our retirement from the car show circuit! We’ll quit while we are ahead.”

He added that “Felix” will continue to go out on patrol now and again and do some static displays here and there, so you may still find the 1950s style patrol car at local events in the future.

“We are going to continue to do parades,” Pudil said. “I am talking with Sheriff (Rich) Martin about some fundraising things we can do — maybe auctioning off arrests, or rides in the car. Just something to raise money for the county. He does a lot of great charity work. We are talking about incorporating Felix into some of that. Anything to promote the Sheriff’s Department and the Reserve Division.

“I was excited about the car, but I think the sheriff was even more excited than I was,” he said. “And I am just absolutely blown away by the response from the public! Everybody just loves this car, whether it is the bikers lined up here in the street during the blessing of the bikes or the kids during the parade and car show — everybody loves this car.”

Look for Felix the Cat to be cruising by in upcoming local events throughout the region.

Driven by duty: Reed City veteran turns recovery into legacy

By Dylan sChwartz Pioneer staff writer

The idea came to Russ Nehmer when he couldn’t walk, let alone drive.

Wounded during his service in Afghanistan, Nehmer was in traction recovering from his injuries when art therapy stirred something deeper — a vision for a memorial that didn’t yet exist in his hometown.

During his recovery, Nehmer realized Reed City lacked a dedicated veterans memorial, a place to honor those from the area who had served — and in many cases, sacrificed.

That realization, combined with his lifelong love of classic cars, eventually led to the creation of the Veterans Memorial Car Show, a fundraising event now past its sixth year.

The 6th Annual Veterans Memorial Car Show was held from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, July 19, at 123 W. Upton Ave. in downtown Reed City.

This year’s show exceeded its fundraising goal of $10,000, bringing

in more than $15,000 for the ongoing Veterans Memorial Park Fund, Nehmer said.

The downtown event has outgrown its original site at the Scout House, where the first few shows brought in about 65 vehicles.

Now, after moving downtown with the city’s backing, the car show draws larger crowds, bigger donations and broader community support each year.

“This year I had 133 sponsors,” Nehmer said. “It’s a lot of word of mouth. People see what we’re trying to do and they want to be part of it.”

Nehmer, who served in the Army Special Forces, was a paratrooper, pathfinder and intelligence specialist during his 23 years of combined activeduty and reserve service from 1988 to 2016.

He deployed multiple times and sustained severe injuries in combat, earning a Purple Heart.

While recovering at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, Nehmer began sketching ideas for a veterans park.

His vision gained momentum when he pitched it to the Reed City Council, which not only endorsed the park idea but also voted to designate the nearby trail system as the Purple Heart Trail in honor of local recipients.

The park site is located off Chestnut Street near the intersection with U.S. 10, at the property near the existing Boy Scout monument and community gazebo.

Nehmer said phase one of the project is focused on fundraising and visibility — including plans for a 100-foot flagpole and dedication stone to mark the future site.

Future phases include grant applications and the launch of a formal 501(c)(3) nonprofit, which Nehmer expects to complete by early fall.

“I’ve got my board, I’ve got the articles of incorporation,” he said. “Once the bylaws are finalized, I can submit everything and really go after the big donors.”

The park’s design includes brick

pavers arranged in the shape of a yellow ribbon, half-moon displays for each military branch, memorial walls, benches and educational elements intended for school visits.

A POW/MIA stone and a dedicated Purple Heart monument are also part of the plan.

“This isn’t just going to be a blip on the map,” Nehmer said. “It’s going to be a place where people can sit, reflect and learn.”

Nehmer’s passion for classic vehicles is more than just a fundraiser — it’s personal.

He owns a 1970 Mustang Mach 1, candy apple red with a black racing stripe and leather seats. The car, which still runs on its original 351 Windsor engine, once belonged to a Vietnam veteran in Georgia.

Before the owner passed away, he requested that the vehicle be sold only to another veteran.

After providing his military paperwork and agreeing to the terms, Nehmer purchased the car and has since won multiple trophies with it.

“It’s a beauty to behold,” he said. “They don’t make them like that anymore.”

Beyond organizing the car show, Nehmer remains deeply active in the community.

He is an Osceola County commissioner representing District 7, serves as committee chair and assistant scoutmaster for the local Boy Scouts, and sits on boards including Project Starburst, Warrior Caregivers, United Veterans Group, and the Special Forces Association Michigan chapter. He is also a member of the Rotary Club of Big Rapids and serves as sergeant-atarms on the Rotary Board of Directors. He is also one of four peer mentors in Michigan for the Wounded Warrior Project, providing 24/7 support for fellow veterans in crisis.

“I’ve had people call me at 1, 2, 3 in the morning,” he said. “I’m glad they called me. I’d rather they pick up a phone than pick up a gun.”

Nehmer said his efforts — from the car show to the proposed park — are rooted in both gratitude and purpose.

“I feel blessed to be here,” he said.

“I actually died for four and a half minutes. I came back. And I want to give back. This park is a legacy project — something that’ll be here long after I’m gone.”

To learn more about the Veterans Memorial Car Show or the park project, contact Russ Nehmer at 231667-0555.