Auto show judges give “Willy Wonka experience” at Cars and Coffee

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Five lucky car enthusiasts from last Saturday morning’s Cars and Coffee meet at The Avenues Mall lived the “Willy Wonka” experience when the two head judges of the Ponte Vedra Auto Show handed them “golden tickets” to enter Sunday’s competition.         

 

Like kids in a candy store, the two judges, Ken Perry and Bob Grant, searched isle to isle of the mall parking lot, hunting down the five pristine vehicles that showed promise for Sunday’s show. 

 

“We’re just browsing,” Grant said enthusiastically and standing tall in his Panama hat, overlooking the crowd for the five motorized gems. 

 

One of the winners drove straight to them, like fate, in a 1993 Nissan Gloria, as if it just rolled out of a JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) garage, right-hand drive and all. 

 

“Someone will always say, ‘Your steering wheel is on the wrong side,’” Gloria owner, Greg Faulds said. “And I’m like, ‘No, it’s on the right side.’”

 

Faulds bought this car from friend, Josh from Nippon Imports, with only 18,000 miles. He fell in love with the Gloria while stationed in Japan during the Air Force, so when Faulds found it back in the States, he couldn’t miss his chance. 

 

“The sticker on the back meant this was owned by a police captain in Fukushima,” Faulds said. “Josh put tint on the windows. I put seat covers on it. Otherwise, it’s completely stock and I’m not doing anything to it.” 

 

Tucked in another isle, the judges spotted another winner and this time, it’s American-made, baby. A white 1964 Chevrolet Impala with red interior and classic trim parked as gracefully rides, according to owner, Lee Geohagan. 

 

 “I had all the suspension redone, so it rides really smooth,” he said.“I went to Andrew Jackson High School, locally, so red and white were my high school colors. This is the one I wanted when I graduated. It took 50 years, but I got it.”

 

To see more amazing cars and heat their stories, visit the Ponte Vedra Auto Show this Sunday, Sept. 22, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Nocatee Event Field. For more information, visit www.pvautoshow.com.