In the sweltering heat, patients, health care workers, family members and friends poured out of the hospital to take in the festivities. There were snacks to enjoy (especially the cold water) and free car magazines and ball caps. But the cars were the main attraction. Wheelchairs could be seen darting among the trees, as the enthusiasm for each vehicle grew.

Dad’s Ole Car Day is not a car show. It’s a hot rodders way of honoring our veterans who are in the hospital primarily requiring long-term physical therapy. 

CAMS picked Father’s Day to hold the event, because there are lots of family and friends who come for a visit on this day. This gives everyone something fun to do together, instead of just spending time in a hospital room.

Everything was free, which included snacks and drinks provided by Golden Corral Restaurant, Kroger Colony West and Indian Hills, New Age Distributors and Polar Ice. Gordon O’Steen brought his ’55 Chevy with portable sound system and played that magnificent cruisin’ music all day.

While this is not a competitive car show and is free to everyone, CAMS still honored two cars. A Participant’s Choice trophy went to Robert Sikes, Jr. and his black ’68 Camaro SS (see photo above). And the People’s Choice award was given to Jim Milan and his ’73 Plymouth Cuda (see photo below).

There were a couple of interesting stories from this event. Joe Rodriguez along with his buddy, Josh Holman, drove Joe’s ‘65 Chevy Impala 123 miles from Memphis, Tennessee to participate. Joe and Josh are both Marine veterans and wanted to show their support. Joe bought the Impala from the daughter of a deceased Marine. The car is basically stock with a 283 engine and 3-on-the-tree. Joe retired a few years ago after 21 years in the Marines.

Steven Ward stopped in on his trip from Fort Worth to Montréal. Steven was driving one unique MG. The 1980 had an LT1 stuffed under the hood and one of the finest flamed paint jobs you will ever see. Steven plotted his trip so he could stop in at a few car shows on this way back to where he grew up. We are sure glad he made a stop in North Little Rock.