Kids learn the classics at auto event

BY STACEY HICKS
Special to the Record-Eagle

July 08, 2008 09:42 am

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TRAVERSE CITY -- The Piper family arranged their whole summer to attend the Hagerty Family Car Show, and it was hard to tell which of the three generations of car enthusiasts enjoyed themselves more.

Al Leach, of Bellaire, signed his grandson, Dar Piper, 8, up for the Young Judges event last March, and they've been anticipating it since.

Young Judges is designed to show kids 8-12 what makes a car a classic by having them judge in five specific areas: horn, interior, details, paint and under the hood.

The kids talk to car owners at the weekend event, and the owners explained how the vehicles were restored and described any special attributes unique to their machines. The judges then rated them on a 1 to 5 scale.

Bob DeKorne, a Hagerty Insurance official, said the judging encourages kids to appreciate older cars through a hands-on, up-close activity.

"This introduces them to the cars and what makes them special. We'd like them to have fun," DeKorne said.

Randy Piper, of Jenison, said his son, Dar, already has honed his appreciation for fine automobiles.

"If you point out a car, he can tell you the make and model. He knows cars and motors," he said.

Piper said he has several car projects at home and his son frequently helps him. But Dar doesn't let the adults influence his taste in cars. His eye gravitates to Volkswagon, Porshe, BMW and Mercedes models.

During the judging, Dar had his eye on a '69 Charger. The "General Lee" from the former TV series "Dukes of Hazard" was a big hit with the judges, especially the horn.

"I like the Dodge Charger so far ... It's not as old and doesn't have big wheels like this Cadillac," he said, referring to a 1909 Cadillac that was among one of six cars the children judged.

"The best thing is they're all really classic and old. I like to see old cars a lot," Dar said.

Photos

Young Judges examined and rated classic cars at the Hagerty Family Car Show.