Staff writer
It’s been 51 years since Ray Abrahams bought his 1932 Chevy Cabriolet, but it still gives him pleasure.
“It’s my pride and joy,” he said.
Abrahams said he bought the car from the original owner in 1962 for a grand total of $400. Now, he said it is worth $40,000, partly due to all of the bodywork that has been done to the car over the years. Abrahams said it has been overhauled twice. The first time he did it himself, but he wasn’t pleased with the results.
“I knew when I was done I wanted someone to do it all over again, some to do it right,” he said.
So, he sent it to a professional in Tulsa, Okla., and couldn’t be happier with the results.
“It’s got the pinstripe right down the middle,” he said. “Classic.”
While Abrahams no longer has his driver’s license, he still loves to look at his precious automobile whenever he has a chance and show it off to people.
“She’s a beaut,” he said. “People love to look at her.”
Abrahams said his son is the one who usually takes care of maintaining the antique car, and has started taking an interest in showing it at area exhibitions.
“I think he used to drive it, but now it’s getting towed in a trailer,” he said. “It still runs fine; it, along with all great old ladies, needs a lot of tender loving care.”
While Abrahams said he’s glad his son is taking an interest, he said he knows he’ll never be overly enthusiastic about the car.
“He doesn’t have all the memories,” he said. “It’s just different. I had some really good times in this car. All my son knows is that I really love it, and that it’s getting pretty old, and valuable.”
Ethan Schadel, 9, of Marion was visiting Parkside Homes in Hillsboro Saturday and said he liked all of the antique cars on display.
“They’re just my size,” he said. “I want to buy one. My parents can sit up front, and my sister and I can sit in the bucket seat in the back.”
Sister Lauren Schadel, 7, wasn’t sure about that idea, but agreed it would be great to have an old car “just for the fun of it.”
The Schadels and other young children at the car show put a smile on Abrahams’ face as they eagerly played in and around the vehicles, and asked questions.