Two years ago, the Jukebox Cruisers held a car show in conjunction with Blocker’s Collision Center on North Seventh Street, Lehighton, to commemorate Blocker’s 75th anniversary. This year, Blocker’s and the Jukebox Cruisers held their second car show, this time along South Eighth Street by the Community Grove and the Lehighton Recreation Center. They are hoping to make it an annual event.

“Our show here benefits the Jukebox Cruisers and the Lehighton Pool Pals,” explained Joe Curran Sr., a charter member of the Jukebox Cruisers.

“I joined the Jukebox Cruisers when they formed in 2001,” Curran said. “We will be holding our 25th anniversary next year. We’re not sure yet where or when, but we are working on plans.”

They chose the new location because they needed more room, and were hoping to get at least 100 vehicles. They had 114 automobiles registered, parking along Eighth Street and in the grass next to the Recreation Center.

There are many reasons why people own the classic vehicles they have. Nostalgia, a family connection, or just an awesome vehicle.

Jerry Yost from Coplay had his black 1956 Lincoln Premiere, just as he did at the show two years ago.

“Back in 1964, my uncle and his brothers visited each other,” Yost said. “One day, while I was visiting my cousin. I looked out the window, I saw this green thing with a white roof on it. It was a ‘56 Lincoln Premiere, like this one, just a different color.”

“When I got older, I started looking to find one of these, and I found this one. It is one of only 19,000 with the air conditioning tubes in it.”

The 1956 Lincoln Premiere cost $4,061 when brand new. A recent appraisal via Kelly Blue Book put a value on it of around $55,000.

For Larry Neeb of Lehighton, his 1940 Chevrolet Business Coupe originally belonged to his wife’s uncle.

“It was a barn find,” Neeb explained. “When I bought it about five years ago, it was in an old chicken coop and it was in pieces.”

It took Neeb about three years to restore the car to its current condition.

Two unusual entries were a pair of 1979 Ford Mustang Indy 500 Pace Cars, each owned by different owners. The cars are unique in that they were exclusive vehicles. Most car dealers only got one of them.

Jim Olszewski from Tamaqua purchased his at an auto auction.

“I drove it home from the auction, then had it completely taken apart and restored,” Olszewski said. “The engine blew up, so I had to put a new engine in it. I’ve been working on it every since.”

Brian Smith of Palmerton was actually looking to buy a different car when he found his Mustang.

“When I was a kid, I had a Cobra, so I was searching for a 1979 Cobra,” Smith said. “I came across this car (1979 Mustang) on Marketplace, and I said, ‘that’s even better than a Cobra’.”

“We try to go to as many shows as possible,” Olszewski said. “It’s fun getting together. I think there are only 125 of these Mustangs in existence now, and only about 5 or 6 here in Pennsylvania. To have two of them together is extremely rare.”

A slightly newer car on display was a 2002 Mitsubishi Galante, owned by Bryan Kollar of Trucksville, Pa. This 80s retro car was decorated with video came decals and video-themed car seats and hubcaps, and featured a video game console in the trunk.

“I’m a video game nut,” Kollar said. “I started it by putting the seat covers on first, then it got a little out of hand.”

Chris O’Rourke from Hanover Township was helping Kollar set up the car, clean it and polish it for the show, and was looking forward to a good turnout for the show.

“I have a feeling it’s going to be a good Saturday,” O’Rourke said. “The weather is great. and I do like it when there’s over 100 cars.”

The show also featured a food stand run by the Lehighton Takedown Club, a lemonade stand, and the Carbon County Hot Wheels Club.