400 cars anticipated at McPherson College car show

Clarification: Proceeds from Saturday's event will go to support the club's efforts throughout the year...a previous version of this story had different information. Hutch Post regrets the error.

 By JUDD WEIL 
Hutch Post

MCPHERSON, Kan. — The 23rd Annual C.A.R.S. Club Motoring Festival is at McPherson College on Saturday, May 6. 

The whole day will be an opportunity to see classic and one-of-a-kind cars.  

“These vehicles come from all over the country, and we have alumni and employers who are bringing these cars from both coasts to share with our students and the surrounding community,” Matt Kroeker, McPherson College student and car show chair, said. “These cars represent multi $1 million investments as well as being pieces of huge historical significance to the automotive industry. That being said, some of the most interesting and intriguing cars are the local ones, as each one has a unique story that can't be bought or traded, and I think that's an overlooked thing about some of these local cars.” 

Each year, the student-run car show attracts rare vehicles from across the country.  The festival will include cars from Kansas, out-of-state, and foreign vehicles.  

A few of the cars expected on the field this year include the 1951 GM LeSabre concept car, the 1969 Chevrolet Astro III concept, and a 2024 Chevrolet all-electric Blazer EV SS, all from the General Motors collection, as well as a 1955 Ghia Gilda, and from Salina, Kansas, a Ferrari 250 Lusso.  

Kroeker said he personally hopes to see someone who once brought a metallic brown 1970s Plymouth Duster with a brown snakeskin vinyl roof.  

McPherson automotive students will show off their own projects as well. 

One of the projects that McPherson College students will be entering will include a Mercedes-Benz that was formerly owned by Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple Computers. 

There will be a period-correct custom Pontiac Firebird that was featured on multiple magazine covers back in the 70s and 80s. 

Then also featured will be a whole fleet of early 1900s vehicles that are regularly driven around McPherson, Kansas, and a Brass Era Model-Ts were driven from Colorado.  

According to Kroeker, the car show serves as one of the biggest networking and alumni-gathering events for McPherson College. Every year, hundreds of cars ranging from student projects and local show winners, all the way up to Pebble Beach best-of-show contenders, converge on the college lawn for a unique day celebrating McPherson's heritage as a leader in the antique automobile industry. 

“McPherson College's Automotive Restoration program is unique in the country, being the only four-year bachelors of science degree specifically directed towards the repair and preservation of these functional pieces of history,” Kroeker said. “Our alumni have been hired at the most prestigious collections, museums and manufacturers, and the school regularly receives support from Mercedes-Benz and General Motors corporations as well as from legendary collectors such as Jay Leno.” 

At the car show this year, the students, alumni, and staff who recently found out their 1953 Mercedes-Benz 300 S Cabriolet was accepted to Pebble Beach will be recognized, and the car will be on display. 

In addition to the wide variety of classic automobiles, the event will also feature entertainment provided by the McPherson College Jazz Band and the McPherson High School Jazz Band.  

The Model-T Team will demonstrate at 2 p.m., just before the awards ceremony.  

“At the show, we will be distributing some very special trophies that were designed and manufactured entirely by students in-house,” Kroeker said. “They will be awarded to the winners of each of our fifteen classes and we have classes ranging from pre-war foreign vehicles to domestic motorcycles manufactured after 1981. There's a class for literally every type of motorized vehicle out there, including tractors.” 

Building tours of Templeton Hall, home of the McPherson College Automotive Restoration Program, will be available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.  

Complimentary trolley service will be available between campus and Main Street from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.  

There is no charge for spectators. Food trucks will also be available on campus to purchase food and beverages.  

Exclusive McPherson merchandise will also be available. All the proceeds from those sales will go towards supporting CARS Club activities throughout the school year.  

Patrons are recommended to bring cash.  

Prior to the C.A.R.S. Club Motoring Festival on May 6, car enthusiasts are encouraged to participate in a Cruise-in on Friday, May 5, on Main Street in McPherson. This will begin at 6 p.m. No registration or entry fee is required for this event, which serves as a sneak peek at what will be on the show field and an opportunity for any car or motorcycle owner to display their rides in an informal show. 

A high turnout is expected for this year’s car show.  

“The show grows every single year and I think this is finally going to be the year that we expand onto more of the campus’s green space. We typically take up the entire center of campus and cover it with cars,” Kroeker said. “So far, we have 300 cars registered and we expect well over 400 by the day of the show. It brings in thousands of spectators and we'd love to see as many of our local people there as possible.” 

The 23rd Annual C.A.R.S. Club Motoring Festival will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Pre-registration is closed, but people can still register on the day of the show. Details at mcpherson.edu/autorestoration/cars. 

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