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Auto Fest

Date: Apr 10, 2005
Contributor: Christian Walke

Fans of all ages enjoy Auto Fest

Standing near her pearl-pink GMC Yukon on the east side of the Columbus Civic Center, Cher Thrash's SUV caught the attention of car lovers Saturday at the Second Annual Auto Fest.

The SUV was decked out with hot pink floor mats and pink and white feather boas. At age 16, Thrash was among the younger car enthusiasts at the event sponsored by WTVM TV-9 and Grease Monkey. The auto show featured about 80 vehicles that included hot rods and antiques with some that look like they could be on the MTV show, "Pimp My Ride." There were also collector cars like Corvettes and Thunderbirds kept in their original condition from as early as the 1950s.

Auto lovers were scattered throughout the parking lot. By noon, other car owners continued to trickle into South Commons to take part in the event. Live music and the aroma of barbecue from food vendors filled the air, giving the event a festive atmosphere.

Raheem Granville, 8, of Columbus, was with his mother, Glenis Thomas, checking out various modified vehicles.

"I want a Mustang," Raheem said when asked which car was his favorite.

Cher's dad, Mike Thrash, the owner of Bama Auto Sales in Phenix City, bought his daughter the truck for her 16th birthday in October.

"She deserves it," said Thrash, who had put in Audiobahn speakers with chrome-like flames inside his daughter's SUV. "She earned it with good grades and respect."

The young auto lover even has her tires on Mossa rims and under glow lights that can be seen when driven at night. Two other speakers in the back are embedded in a large pink heart that sits against the backseat.

Cher Thrash plans to replace the gray leather interior with pink and white.

"I want to enter it in the NOPI Nationals this year in Atlanta," said Cher, who wore a pink T-shirt and earrings to match her ride.

Another participant, Billy Cutler, keeps his 1954 white convertible Chevy Corvette with red leather interior in its original condition.

"It's never been touched," said Cutler of Columbus, who sported a Corvette cap and T-Shirt.

Cutler got the sports car with 18,909 miles from his father-in-law in North Carolina. He said the model was the 39th Corvette made off the manufacturing line. His father-in-law also owns a Corvette that was the third manufactured sports car of its make in 1953.

But that wasn't the only antique sports car Cutler brought to the show. Parked next to the drop-top sports car with white-wall tires and chrome hub caps was a white 1964 Corvette Sting Ray coupe with black interior.

Glen Coats, who just moved to Columbus six months ago, showed off his 1969 winter blue Ford Mustang.

Coats, who retired from the military two years ago, said his sports car was the fourth Mustang he's rebuilt.

"I bought it at a salvage in northern Georgia," said Coats, who has invested $20,000 into modifying the car. So far, the hot rod, which has won seven awards at other auto shows, has a 351 Windsor engine with 400 horsepower. The car has a five-speed manual transmission and Coats kept the original black vinyl interior.

"I love the car show," he said. "I do it for the hobby."



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