Rosemary Graham of Hillsboro took this picture in 1995 of her grandson, Nick, at the De Soto Walmart. “We would take him to Walmart on Friday night to ride the truck,” Rosemary said. “He spent a lot of weekends with Grandpa and me.”
Kevin Long of Arnold took this picture in July 2020 of his 1966 Ford GT Mustang with a 289 four-speed engine. “My father bought this car in 1972 for $500,” Kevin said. The car was repainted in the 1980s, and the fenders were fixed, but it still has the original motor and interior. “I bought it from my dad in 1999. He requested that it stay in our family, and I look forward to passing it along in a few years.”
Donald Womack, 63, of Festus took this picture in May 2015 of his 2008 Yamaha Road Star and 1993 Harley-Davidson FXRS Sport. “My two rides, when one is not enough,” Donald said.
Donald Womack, 63, of Festus took this picture in May 2020 of his 2017 Harley-Davidson Tri Glide. “I bought a local Crystal City rider that we all ride on Thursdays,” Donald said.
Larry Calvert, 78, of Festus sent in a picture of himself in 2008 at age 62 with his 1959 Chevrolet Apache at the Texaco station in De Soto.
Larry Calvert, 78, of Festus sent in a picture of his 1977 Chevrolet Vega, left, that he raced in 1992 at age 44 at the I-55 Raceway in Pevely. Larry said he earned first place in the Super Pro category against a 1957 Chevrolet, completing the 1/4-mile race in 9.7 seconds, reaching 140 miles per hour.
Larry Calvert, 78, of Festus sent a picture of his first car, which he bought new in 1965 at age 19 for $2,600 in Berkley. The car was a 1965 Chevelle SS four-speed with 350 horsepower.
Gary Bozak of Festus took before and after pictures of his 1963 Corvair Monza 900, a six-cylinder automatic. “Purchased two years ago in Illinois as a project,” Gary said. “I rebuilt it from the ground up by myself.”
Gary Bozak of Festus took before and after pictures of his 1963 Corvair Monza 900, a six-cylinder automatic. “Purchased two years ago in Illinois as a project,” Gary said. “I rebuilt it from the ground up by myself.”
Kevin Crawford of Eureka took this picture of his 1965 Chevy Chevelle SS Pro Street with a 468 Chevy Big Block engine. He said the vehicle has an all steel body with a full roll cage and is painted black cherry with ghost flames.
Diana Grohs of Imperial took this picture in September 2013 of her parents, Frederick and Ursula Gerlach, in their 1923 Model T Ford. “My father bought this car right after he returned from the Korean War in 1953,” Diana said. “My parents dated in this car before they got married in 1956. We had it restored in 2013 so they could take another ride in it. It is still operational.”
Chester W. Grohs III of Imperial sent a picture taken by his wife, Diana Grohs, in May 2023. “We purchased this car in 1997,” Chester said. “I always wanted a Corvette. It’s a 1981 Corvette Coupe made in Bowling Green, Ky. I have kept it in shape all these years, replacing various interior parts to original as much as possible. We take it out for drives in the summer ‘to let the motor run!’”
Ginny Leitner of Festus sent a picture of herself and Rob Leitner “doing the 38-mile downhill ride in Maui at a dormant crater in Hawaii in 2006,” Ginny said.
Donald Pickles, 79, of Arnold took this picture in November 2017 of his 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible. “On my 21st birthday in August 1966, I purchased my first car, a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air, which was exactly like the one in the picture. I paid $400 for it,” Donald said. “I used it for trips to and from Mizzou, where I was a business major. My future wife and I dated in it as well. Immediately after graduation in January 1968, I received my draft notice, during Vietnam, of course. As a result, I had to sell my precious car. Boy, did that hurt.” Fifty years later, Donald discovered another 1957 Chevrolet for sale in Florida, and he and his wife went to look at it and had the car shipped home. “That was in June 2013. Since then, I take the car to all kinds of car shows and do fairly well with awards. However, what I really enjoy about showing the car is that a lot of people around my age have a favorite story about 1957 Chevys (they either had one or their friends or parents had one) and talking about it brings a big smile to their face. It takes them back to the days that were much simpler.”
Denise Hopkins, 67, of Imperial took this picture in August 2024 of her 2020 Polaris Slingshot. “I purchased this vehicle from a disabled Vietnam vet in the great state of Tennessee,” Denise said. “I had never driven a motorcycle before, much less a three-wheeler, and had to drive it 350 miles home. Talk about baptism by fire! They are so much fun to drive.”
Tom Zacher, 69, of Fenton took this picture in 1982 of Paula Zacher on a 1982 Honda C70 Passport. “I was looking for my first motorcycle,” Tom said. “We went to St. Louis Honda, which at the time was having an open house. Paula filled out a slip to win a Honda scooter. I told her that they would never call us. But later that day I got a call from St. Louis Honda telling me that we won a Honda Passport. I had to get my brother-in-law to ride it back home because we didn't know how to ride a motorcycle. In the following weeks, Paula would get it out every day before going to work at JCPenney and ride it up and down the road. She loved that C70 Passport.”
Nancy Bohn, 83, of Eureka sent a picture taken by her daughter, Karen Prost, on Mother’s Day. Nancy and her grandsons, Matt Prost, 26, Jacob Prost, 25, and Josh Prost, 22, are gathered around a Cricket RX5 golf cart that Nancy uses to travel her 55+ community. “We are parked near the bocce ball court and a gazebo to celebrate Mother’s Day. My grandboys are a lot of fun and give Grandma a lot of attention,” Nancy said. “I have to use the electrical cart to get up to the clubhouse for the many activities and (to reach) my car. I decorated it with flags and daisy decals.”
Harold Bryan, 89, of De Soto sent a picture taken in 1968 by his son, Gene Bryan, at an antique car show in Forest Park in St. Louis. Harold is shown at age 33 in a 1909 Ford Model T, which he helped the owner restore by making parts for the vehicle.
Rosemary Graham of Hillsboro took this picture in 1975 of her late husband, Roland, with “his first nice car,” in Baden. “He was so proud!” Rosemary said.
Ray Huskey, 70, of De Soto sent a 1977 picture of himself and Elaine Morris, who he would later marry. “The car belonged to my grandparents, Hearst and Mabel Kingsland,” Ray said. “They had given me the car to restore several years before this picture was taken. It is a 1937 DeSoto Chrysler and was in terrible shape before I remodeled it. I worked several years on it until it looked like this. I drove it in the Fourth of July parade in 1976 or 77. I did finally sell it, and I don’t know where it is now.”
Betty Todd of High Ridge sent a picture of herself in August 1966 with her first car, a 1966 Ford Mustang. “Definitely my best ride,” Betty said.
Terry Mayo, 74, of High Ridge sent a picture of her husband, Jerry Mayo, in February at the Lake of the Ozarks. The pair were picking up a 1989 Corvette C4 convertible. “I am so happy for my husband because he has always dreamed of owning a ’vette, and now he can take that one off of his bucket list!” Terry said.
Steve Ballew, 69, of Imperial sent a picture his wife, Sandy, took of him last month. Steve custom-built the recumbent Predator scooter himself. “It is a great working design and comfortable,” Steve said.
Regina Leonard, 63, of Hillsboro sent pictures of a 1965 Ford pickup before and after its restoration. The truck originally belonged to Regina’s brother-in-law. About 47 years ago, he and Regina’s husband, Pat, installed its engine, then Pat painted the truck about eight years after that. “When his brother decided to sell the truck, my husband acquired it,” Regina said. Their oldest grandson, Jordon, restored it about 15 years ago, making it operational once again. “We now enjoy Sunday afternoon drives together, with the windows down, vents open and classic music playing on the radio.”
Regina Leonard, 63, of Hillsboro sent pictures of a 1965 Ford pickup before and after its restoration. The truck originally belonged to Regina’s brother-in-law. About 47 years ago, he and Regina’s husband, Pat, installed its engine, then Pat painted the truck about eight years after that. “When his brother decided to sell the truck, my husband acquired it,” Regina said. Their oldest grandson, Jordon, restored it about 15 years ago, making it operational once again. “We now enjoy Sunday afternoon drives together, with the windows down, vents open and classic music playing on the radio.”
Regina Leonard, 63, of Hillsboro sent pictures of a 1965 Ford pickup before and after its restoration. The truck originally belonged to Regina’s brother-in-law. About 47 years ago, he and Regina’s husband, Pat, installed its engine, then Pat painted the truck about eight years after that. “When his brother decided to sell the truck, my husband acquired it,” Regina said. Their oldest grandson, Jordon, restored it about 15 years ago, making it operational once again. “We now enjoy Sunday afternoon drives together, with the windows down, vents open and classic music playing on the radio.”
Diane Murphy, 76, of Imperial sent a picture of the first car she owned, a new 1970 Ford Maverick with black and white plaid seats, automatic transmission and no AC. “I purchased it as I was approaching college graduation and a new job,” Diane said. “With its $2,000 price tag, I thought I’d be in debt forever.”
Paula Held sent a picture taken in September 2022 of her father’s, Joe Herrell, 80, of Imperial, restored 1954 Chevrolet Bel Air. “During the mid-1960s, as part owner of Herrell's Market in Imperial, Joe would carry groceries for an elderly couple who owned this car, placing the groceries into the trunk after every visit,” Paula said. “The car reminded him of his first car at 16 years old. He told the folks that if they ever wanted to sell the car, he'd like to be first in line to buy it. In the early 1970s, the elderly couple offered him the car for the purchase price of $200, and it's belonged to him ever since! After completely restoring the car, Joe has taken it to many local car shows and festivals, winning a few awards here and there. The car still runs great and spends most of its time now in the comfort of the garage.”
Paula Held sent a picture taken in September 2022 of her father’s, Joe Herrell, 80, of Imperial, restored 1954 Chevrolet Bel Air. “During the mid-1960s, as part owner of Herrell's Market in Imperial, Joe would carry groceries for an elderly couple who owned this car, placing the groceries into the trunk after every visit,” Paula said. “The car reminded him of his first car at 16 years old. He told the folks that if they ever wanted to sell the car, he'd like to be first in line to buy it. In the early 1970s, the elderly couple offered him the car for the purchase price of $200, and it's belonged to him ever since! After completely restoring the car, Joe has taken it to many local car shows and festivals, winning a few awards here and there. The car still runs great and spends most of its time now in the comfort of the garage.”
Jody Borgers, 59, of Cedar Hill took this photo in September 2023 of her 1990 GMC Suburban, which she bought in 1996 while pregnant with her third child. “I took my driver’s test in my dad's Suburban and have always been partial to them,” Jody said. “This fit our growing family perfectly. When our fourth child came along, we all fit with ample room. (The SUV) has lots of family memories on road trips and the kids’ ball games. She's been through two motors and two transmissions.” Jody now only takes the vehicle out in nice weather. “She stays snug and warm in the garage. The kids do not drive her, just my husband and me.” Decades after purchasing the SUV and driving her children around, it now transports her grandkids.
Earl Stephens of Arnold sent a picture from a family trip of his 2005 Honda Gold Wing Trike and his son’s custom 2012 Harley-Davidson.
Earl Stephens of Arnold sent a picture of wagons that were custom made for his great-grandchildren.
Scott Ashwell, 53, of House Springs sent a picture taken in October 2022 by Colin Ashwell, 14. Scott fixed up his grandfather’s 1954 Chevrolet 3800 about nine years ago. “He, Charles Lony, was a local farmer in House Springs and used (the truck) to haul grain and animals to market,” Scott said. “We still have a few family members who can remember riding in it back then. I was only a little over 8 months old when he passed away, so I never knew him.” Ashwell said the truck had been sitting in a barn since 1975 before he restored it when the family farm was being sold. “Other than new mirrors and new tires, everything else is original. The patina gives it good character, and it's basically how it looked when Grandpa drove it. The truck isn't fast, so if you come up behind me, I apologize. It's just me and Grandpa spending some time together, taking the truck out for a drive.”
Maxine Noll, 80, of Imperial sent a picture taken by Matt Arnold of her and Barbara Griffin in Maxine’s 1968 Ford Mustang. The two friends enjoy driving around in the Mustang. “Two elderly ladies cruising Lindbergh,” Maxine said.
Lori Robinson, 67, of Festus took this picture in May 2023 on her family’s farm near Mapaville. Pictured are Lori’s brother, John Peterein, who is driving the tractor; her nephews, Christopher and Scott Peterein; and her great-nephew, Oliver Callahan. Christopher bought the 1939 John Deere Model A, which they call “Uncle Woody,” and rebuilt it. “This was Uncle Woody’s maiden voyage after the complete restoration,” Lori said. “We were brought up farming, and this field was once a peach orchard our grandfather had planted and cultivated when we were much younger. This tractor brings back fond memories of a simpler time and allows us to share these memories with the next generation of our family. This farm has been in our family since the 1870s.”
Glenda Bass, 80, of De Soto sent a picture taken by her mom of Glenda, then 20, in 1964. The red Mustang convertible, which Glenda said she loved, was the second car she owned.
Mike Ingle of Arnold sent a picture taken by Jerry Landrum in St. Louis of his 1969 Oldsmobile Hurst.
Patricia Sullens, 62, of Arnold sent a picture of herself on a tractor that belonged to her grandfather. She is at her father's farm in Waterloo, Ill.
Eric Nesbit, 66, of Eureka took this picture in June of his 2021 Ford F350 Coleman Coachmen, a “retirement purchase.” The RV is parked at the base of the White Mountains. “We were headed home, after five weeks on the road, from Acadia National Park in Maine,” Eric said. “This is memorable as it reflects a fantastic time seeing the country with my sweetheart.”
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This year’s West Side Senior Expo is sure to entertain attendees with games of bingo, prizes…
