Classic Cars Showcase History, Personal Stories
LONE TREE, Colo. (CBS4) - The Summerfest Auto Show in Greenwood Village will have more than 100 classic cars on display. Each of the cars is a slice of Americana, and comes with a deep personal story.
"It's a 1962, 23-window Volkswagon Microbus Deluxe," Terry Miller said of the original minivan sitting in the driveway of his Lone Tree home.
When he gets behind the wheel of the Microbus, Miller becomes an instant attraction, getting waves, thumbs-up, and nostalgic stories from admirers who knew someone who knew someone who owned one once.
"It's a blast to drive. It doesn't go very fast, it's a 40-horsepower engine," he told CBS4.
23-Window VW Microbus Deluxe in 1962 (Credit Terry Miller)
23-Window VW Microbus Deluxe in 2016 (Credit CBS)
Miller's father-in-law bought the bus new in 1962 for $1,400. It was a gift for his new bride.
"Almost was a deal breaker because she wanted a sports car," Miller said with a laugh.
It's no sports car, but the family found out it is something pretty special more than 50 years later.
"This is in as good a shape as you're going to see … unrestored, preserved straight off the assembly line," Miller explained.
Everything is original, including all 23 of the windows, another rare feature of the bus.
"What makes it the 23 are these two corner glass on both sides, the 21 has metal that covers this," Miller said as he pointed to the back windows. "And of course they have the skylights that go along the back."
(Credit CBS)
"This is a 1968 Oldsmobile 442," said Tom Atencio of the bright orange convertible sitting in his driveway.
Tom Atencio's restored 1968 Oldsmobile 442. (Credit CBS)
Tom Atencio working on his 1968 Oldsmobile 442. (Credit Tom Atencio)
Atencio completely rebuilt his beauty, taking some liberties because it didn't have the original engine.
"I moved the shifter from the column to the floor," he told CBS4.
Fourteen years of blood, sweat and tears went into the rebuild, but Atencio calls it a labor of love.
"I like it because you don't see a whole lot of them around," he said.
The convertible top and bright orange paint job make it one-of-a-kind.
"They considered the Oldsmobile the gentleman's luxury car … I'm no gentleman," Atencio said with a laugh.
Dennis Lebar added some muscle to his muscle car – a 1968 AMC Javelin.
Dennis Lebar's restored 1968 AMC Javelin (Credit CBS)
Dennis Lebar's 1968 AMC Javelin as it turns 100,000 miles (Credit Dennis Lebar)
"I got the car in 1970. It was my first car when I was in college," Lebar explained.
He and his wife traveled the state in it for their honeymoon. He even took a picture when the car turned 100,000 miles.
"Of course it takes us back to old memories when we were dating and honeymooning and all that great stuff," Lebar told CBS4.
He started restoring the Javelin 4 years ago, making it into a real crowd-pleaser.
"It's a lot of fun. I mean I get the stares. I get the people giving the thumbs-up," he said.
These three classic cars will be among the more than 100 on display at the Summerfest Auto Show on Saturday, June 25th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Landmark in Greenwood Village. The show is being put on by the DTC Chamber of Commerce. Part of the proceeds will go to The Adoption Exchange. Tickets for adults are $15, kids 14 and under cost $5, and kids under 7 are free.
Libby Smith is a Special Projects Producer at CBS4. If you have a story you'd like to tell CBS4 about, call 303-863-TIPS (8477) or visit the News Tips section.
