CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Car enthusiasts gathered Wednesday evening outside of the Southridge Shopping Center Cabela’s to get a closer look at some of the vehicles that will be shown at this year’s Charleston Boulevard Rod Run and Doo Wop.
The five-day will feature hundreds of cars as well as music from multiple bands.
Joe DeTullio drove his 1966 Chevrolet Biscayne from Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, to participate in the show for the first time.
“This car was a quarter-mile drag strip car,” he explained. “It doesn’t have any radio, doesn’t haven’t a heater. Strictly for racing down a drag strip. Newer kids don’t realize that, but you get some of the older people walk by and they’ll give you a thumbs up on it.”
DeTullio said he has spent three years working on the car, which had been a dream purchase of his since he was a teenager.
“That’s one reason you have a car show,” he added, “You have your car on display and people come around and appreciate it.”
Bill Hodges, of Charleston, said he had been to previous events, but this is his first year as a participant.
“It’s a 1957 Chevy Bel Air two-door sedan,” Hodges said, pointing to the slick, red car next to him.
“My girlfriend, Becca, and I own it. She wanted a ’57 because that’s what she learned to drive on. We found this one and went after it.”
Three months after purchasing the Bel Air, Hodges said it is nice to finally take an active roll in the event.
“You can meet a lot of friends,” he said. “It’s just nice. It’s just fun.”
The Charleston Boulevard Rod Run and Doo Wop runs through Sunday.