Bob and Kathy Taylor of Cedar Hill sent a picture Bob took on Aug. 31, 2014, the wedding day of his and Kathy’s first granddaughter, Jessica Duckworth, to Joey Duckworth. Jessica and Joey are in front of Bob and Kathy’s 1931 Model A Tudor at Villa Antonia Winery in Hillsboro. “(The car was) used in several weddings,” Bob said. “On one instance, I drove the bride and maid of honor to the church in south St. Louis, and the bride wanted me to be at least 10 minutes late. We were 10 minutes late, and everyone outside the church cheered when we drove up. It was a very memorable occasion.” The car was bought in June 1991 and sold 25 years later.
Dave Boyer, 75, of Festus sent a picture taken by his wife, Yvonne Boyer, in 1990 in their yard in Hematite. Dave stands with his 1978 Harley FLH. “I traded a 1956 Chevy at Ted’s Harley in Alton, Ill., for this 1978 Harley,” Dave said. “All original. Wish I still had it!”
Dave Boyer, 75, of Festus sent a picture from 1988 of him and his wife, Yvonne Boyer, in 1988 in front of their 1978 Pontiac Trans Am in Hematite. The photo was taken by Dave and Yvonne’s daughter, Christy, then 11. “I bought the car on a local car lot,” Dave said. “My wife and the car are special.”
Sandra Bell, 68, of Hillsboro took this picture May 25 at Potosi Airport of her husband, Brian Bell, and their son, Justin Bell, inside a 2020 Magni M24 Gyro. Sandra said the gyroplane is special since Brian is able to “fly low and slow” and enjoy the scenery.
Dan Spindler, 58, of House Springs sent a picture his wife, Vonnie Spindler, took in May of Dan with his son, Tyler, and grandchildren, Phinehas, Macie and Maya. The 1966 Pontiac GTO in the photo was passed down to Dan from his father, Paul Spindler, who bought it in 1966 a few months before Dan was born. Paul drove the car daily from 1966-1978, then Dan’s brother, Dean, drove it daily until 1981, when he died. “The car sat for almost 20 years when Paul decided to restore it back to its original state,” Dan said. “Paul passed away in 2008 and (I) inherited the car.” Eventually, Tyler will inherit the car, then pass it down to his children, Dan said.
Nancy Wood, 77, of De Soto sent a picture taken at the Texaco station in De Soto of the 1957 Chevrolet Belair she and her late husband, John B. Wood, restored. When the couple got married in 1967, John had a different 1957 Chevrolet Belair that he sold, which was later totaled. “John always said, ‘I wish we hadn’t sold that car’ as it was the first car he ever owned,” Nancy said. “This began his quest to find another ’57 Chevy, which he found and the restoration began. The car was totally taken off its frame, which revealed a California frame – meaning, I believe, it was a (rare) one-piece frame. It was a labor of love.” They restored the car with the help of some friends: Dick Courtoier, who knew owned many ’57 Chevys and knew them well; Bruce Blaylock, who did the body work and paint, which earned an award for best paint at a De Soto Amvets car show; Tommy, who was an upholsterer in Pevely and restored the interior to look brand new; and many more. John was proud of the car, which he bought for $200 in 1974, Nancy said. “John’s granddaughter, Zoe Wood, wants to drive it now. John would be pleased she has an interest in the car. David Johnson, a friend and mechanic, is going to make sure the ’57 is in good running order and it will be out on the road again, going to car shows and cruises.”
Garry Willard, 75, of Cedar Hill sent a picture taken by his grandson, Devin Hall, last month of Garry in his 1930 Ford with his wife, Valerie Willard; daughter, April Howard; granddaughter, Mikaley Hall; and great-granddaughter, Blakeley. “We purchased (the car) this year, and it is all original and runs!” Garry said.
Robin Close, 64, of De Soto sent a picture taken by her mother, Mary Ellen Henry, in 1978 Affton of Robin and Dutch Close, who was her boyfriend at the time. “This was my first car, a 1965 Ford Galaxy 500,” Robin said. “It came with air conditioning and red leather interior. The chrome pipes and red leather half top were added later. I bought the car from my uncle Buddy Ray Byler. He had bought it and fixed it up for his teenagers for their first car.”
Jim McKinney of Crystal City sent a picture of his 1975 Harley-Davidson Super Glide 1200 FXE he purchased in May 1975. Jim also owns a 2007 Harley-Davidson FLSTC Heritage bike. “Today, Jim remains the proud owner of both bikes,” Jim’s wife, Elaine McKinney, said.
Jim McKinney of Crystal City sent a picture of his 2007 Harley-Davidson FLSTC Heritage bike. Jim also owns a 1975 Harley-Davidson Super Glide 1200 FXE he purchased in May 1975. “Today, Jim remains the proud owner of both bikes,” Jim’s wife, Elaine McKinney, said.
Karen Crum of House Springs sent a picture of her great-grandchildren Andrew and Amelia riding their toy Jeep.
Jackson Reese of Festus sent a picture taken at his grandfather’s house in May 2022 of his restored 1941 Ford Pickup truck.
Robin Close of De Soto sent a picture taken in about 1985 by her cousin, John Moriarty, next to her new Ford Bronco II. “Man, I loved this ride!” Robin said. “Red with tan interior, full package, with a cassette player and four-wheel drive.”
Bob Brewer of De Soto sent a picture from a few years ago in Festus. “This is my 1981 Corvette nicknamed ‘The Wizerd!’” Bob said. “Bought it about 10 years ago and did a mild restoration on it.”
Charlie Haverstick, 62, of De Soto sent a picture taken last July of his 1968 Camaro his parents bought for him in 1978. “Our family still is having fun racing it!” Charlie said.
Robin Potter, 68, of High Ridge sent a picture taken last June by a photographer, Andy Wilson, in Augusta. “I ride a laguna orange 2017 HD Street Glide Special named Clementine,” Robin said. “A smooth ride to take me on adventures and allow me to enrich my life, meeting many great friends from all walks of life! Dad taught us how to ride. I progressed over the years with bigger bikes. Our dad is no longer with us, but I thank him in my heart, each time I get on my motorcycle, for his love, strength, care, humor and for teaching me to ride a motorcycle.”
Bryan McGraw, 61, of Imperial sent a picture from October 2023 of himself with his 2011 Mustang GT painted performance white with cosmic blue Le Mans stripes. “This car does quite well at car shows and has an engine bay so clean you could eat off of it,” Bryan said.
Jack Reitz, 90, of Pacific can be seen at age 16 in this 1950 picture with his 1935 Ford. “I bought this car with my earnings from working at Steak ’n Shake.” Jack said.
Marlan Thompson, 76, of Eureka sent a picture taken by his mother in April 1970 in west St. Louis County of himself about to report to Scott Air Force Base in Illinois. Marlan stands in front of his marina blue 1965 Chevrolet with a 327 cubic inch, 325 horsepower engine. “I bought it on my return from Vietnam where I served as a military dog handler from March of 1969 until March of 1970,” Marlan said. “I saved all of my money to pay cash for this car. It was the first of eight Corvettes that I have owned over the last 50 years.”
Bob Kovis of Eureka can be seen at age 17 in this 1951 picture taken by his mother, Bertie Mae Kovis, outside Mae’s Hotel and Cafe in Times Beach. “In the background is the Route 66 bridge over the Meramec River, looking east,” said Scott Kovis, Bob’s son. Bob stands with a 1951 Mercury, which Scott said was the first car Bob and Bertie Mae bought.
Betty (Riegerix) Gottfried, 67, of Cedar Hill sent a picture taken by a family friend, Hal Cottrell, in 1959 at the Idaho state line, where Betty can be seen at 2 years old sitting atop the sign. “My family and another friend/couple packed up their belongings and headed to Idaho to start a horse ranch,” Betty said. “We camped out and cooked all our meals on a grill and had a great time. I even remember my Aunt Dale trying to teach me to put on and tie my shoes ... while my bare feet were perched on an ant hill. Ouch!” Pictured, from left, are Kay and Ann Cottrell, Jim Riegerix, Ken Cottrell, Steve Riegerix, Mary (Riegerix) Jones, Betty, Ed and Marvel Riegerix, Dale Daffron and Ed Riegerix. “We took several vehicles, but the kids piled into a 1950s Ford Ranch Wagon.”
Betty Gottfried, 67, of Cedar Hill sent a picture of Star, who she rode for the first time at age 2. “As you can imagine, Star had a star on her forehead,” Betty said. “We lived in Idaho at the time, and my older siblings would ride Star and our other horse, Fausy, to and from their one-room schoolhouse. That was many years ago, the late 1950s, but it still has fond memories for me.”
Greg Gottfried, 69, of Cedar Hill took this picture earlier this month of a T-1520 New Holland tractor. “Eight years ago, my dad came to live with us after Mom died,” Greg said. “He was of ‘the greatest generation’ and experienced things during his lifetime that amaze me upon reflection. In 2007, he bought the only new tractor in his life and enjoyed being on it until he was 91. When he came out here, so did his tractor and, before he passed, he gave it to me. When I use it, to this day, I feel him there behind the wheel with me. I still smile when I reflect on the adventures he had with that machine.”
Greg Gottfried, 69, of Cedar Hill sent a picture of his 1971 Datsun 240Z he used to have. “I was 21 and wanted a sports car. When I answered the ad, I was hooked and bought it from a county police officer,” Greg said. “September of 1979 found me and my Z high in the Rockies on the Rampart Range road on the way to Denver from Colorado Springs. I stopped for a bit on the dirt road that follows the crest of the easternmost ridge of the Rocky Mountains to admire the scenery. That's something best done whilst stationery on that particular drive, and that's when I took this photo of my precious. Sadly, I later totaled it two months prior to my marriage, but it served me well – I walked away with only a bump on my head, received after I released my seat/shoulder harness and hit my head on the roof. Yes, we were inverted, but it protected me after many years and miles.”
Charlie Gau, 78, of Hillsboro sent a picture of himself taken by his mother in 1968. Charlie stands in front of his new 1964 Chevrolet Super Sport Hardtop Convertible while home from the Army.
Charlie Gau, 78, of Hillsboro sent a picture taken in Cooper Hill in 1968 of his and Nancy Gau’s family car. “This baby blue 1966 Ford Galaxy XL was a super nice ride and loved by Nancy,” Charlie said.
Bob Brewer of De Soto sent a picture from a few years ago in Festus. “This is my 1981 Corvette nicknamed ‘The Wizerd!’” Bob said. “Bought it about 10 years ago and did a mild restoration on it.”
Bob Brewer of De Soto sent a picture from a few years ago in Festus. “This is my 1981 Corvette nicknamed ‘The Wizerd!’” Bob said. “Bought it about 10 years ago and did a mild restoration on it.”
Kevin Carle, 65, of Festus took this picture in the spring of 1980 in south St. Louis County of his 1968 Ford Mustang 200, which he got with his dad in 1968. “It was my first car when I got my license in 1975, and in 1977 my parents sold it to my girlfriend's parents,” Kevin said. “She began to drive it in the spring of 1978, so I would see it all the time. It became a special ride for both of us.”
Rick Conway, 67, of Pevely sent a picture of his all original 1978 MGB Roadster, which has ranked up 60,000 miles.
John Coughlin, 67, of Eureka bought this 1973 Dodge Dart, which was assembled at the Chrysler plant in Fenton, in 2020 for his retirement and worked on it with his son, Sam Coughlin.
John Coughlin, 67, of Eureka bought this 1973 Dodge Dart, which was assembled at the Chrysler plant in Fenton, in 2020 for his retirement and worked on it with his son, Sam Coughlin. Sarah Coughlin sits inside during the rehearsal dinner for her and Sam’s wedding in October 2023.
Carol Greife, 68, of House Springs sent a picture taken on the Foothills Parkway in Townsend, Tenn., outside of the Smoky Mountains, of her 1981 Fiat Spider. “My husband and I bought a 1977 Fiat Spider shortly before we married in 1978,” Carol said. “It was a daily driver for about five years when it developed serious rust and mechanical issues. We had hopes of restoring it someday, but it was too far gone. I found this car at a local automotive shop, and my husband bought it. When our youngest started his senior year in high school, we had the car restored, getting ready for retirement. It was done in time for our 41st wedding anniversary when this photo was taken.”
Elmer Mills of Festus bought two Corvairs when they first came out, one a 1960 model and the next a 1965, which can be seen in this picture sent by his daughter, Lana Gibbons of De Soto. “This car was used as his family car – he even added a trailer hitch on this car,” Lana said. “He hauled chain link fencing to install around the family home. By 1964, he had a wife, (the late) Betty, of six years and three small children. He and his family made several trips in this family car out west to Idaho to visit his brother. Over the years, this car has become a keepsake. The car has 105,000 miles, he drives it to local car shows and enjoys the folks who’ve never seen a Corvair or a car with the engine in the rear of the car.” According to Lana, Elmer worked for General Motors for 32 years and has been retired for 37 years.
Elmer Mills of Festus bought two Corvairs when they first came out, one a 1960 model and the next a 1965, which can be seen in this picture sent by his daughter, Lana Gibbons of De Soto. “This car was used as his family car – he even added a trailer hitch on this car,” Lana said. “He hauled chain link fencing to install around the family home. By 1964, he had a wife, (the late) Betty, of six years and three small children. He and his family made several trips in this family car out west to Idaho to visit his brother. Over the years, this car has become a keepsake. The car has 105,000 miles, he drives it to local car shows and enjoys the folks who’ve never seen a Corvair or a car with the engine in the rear of the car.” According to Lana, Elmer worked for General Motors for 32 years and has been retired for 37 years.
Dan Spindler, 58, of House Springs sent a picture he took in 2016 of his 1966 Pontiac GTO. The car was passed down to Dan from his father, Paul Spindler, who bought it in 1966 a few months before Dan was born. Paul drove the car daily from 1966-1978, then Dan’s brother, Dean, drove it daily until 1981, when he died. “The car sat for almost 20 years when Paul decided to restore it back to its original state,” Dan said. “Paul passed away in 2008 and (I) inherited the car.” Eventually, Dan’s son, Tyler, will inherit the car, then pass it down to his children, Dan said.
Dan Spindler, 58, of House Springs sent a picture he took in 2016 of his 1966 Pontiac GTO. The car was passed down to Dan from his father, Paul Spindler, who bought it in 1966 a few months before Dan was born. Paul drove the car daily from 1966-1978, then Dan’s brother, Dean, drove it daily until 1981, when he died. “The car sat for almost 20 years when Paul decided to restore it back to its original state,” Dan said. “Paul passed away in 2008 and (I) inherited the car.” Eventually, Dan’s son, Tyler, will inherit the car, then pass it down to his children, Dan said.
Dan Spindler, 58, of House Springs sent a picture he took in 2016 of his 1966 Pontiac GTO. The car was passed down to Dan from his father, Paul Spindler, who bought it in 1966 a few months before Dan was born. Paul drove the car daily from 1966-1978, then Dan’s brother, Dean, drove it daily until 1981, when he died. “The car sat for almost 20 years when Paul decided to restore it back to its original state,” Dan said. “Paul passed away in 2008 and (I) inherited the car.” Eventually, Dan’s son, Tyler, will inherit the car, then pass it down to his children, Dan said.
Tom Tenholder, 82, of Eureka sent a picture of his and Barb Tenholder’s 1985 Rolls Royce Corniche Convertible, which Tom said was restored by Schwarz Automotive in Brentwood. “Same car driven by Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin,” he said.
Tom Tenholder, 82, of Eureka sent a picture of his and Barb Tenholder’s 1985 Rolls Royce Corniche Convertible, which Tom said was restored by Schwarz Automotive in Brentwood. “Same car driven by Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin,” he said.
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