IOLA, Wis. — People from all over the country rolled and rumbled into Iola for the annual car show on Thursday with spotless paint jobs and shiny chrome.
Ronald Henke of Wisconsin Rapids has deep family ties to the Iola Car Show.
“There’s history and nostalgia. My dad and mom have made many friends here throughout the car shows," said Henke.
His 87-year-old father, Robert, started coming to the show 38 years ago. It was not something he cared to miss, even on the day of his son’s wedding.
“We got married the day of the Iola Car Show, and dad took his 57 Cadillac with my brother to the car show before our wedding," explained Henke. "We made it back in time for our wedding. We had a 2 o'clock wedding that day, but they had to get to the show with that 57 Cadillac.”
It has always been a family affair. His mother passed away last year, but Ronald drove a 1968 Riviera his dad customized to the show this year.
The love for Iola runs deep, and not just from Wisconsinites.
“It’s worldwide. I've seen plates here from Canada and all over the country. People flock to this thing from all over the place," said Henke.
The opening day featured a meet & greet with Henry Winkler, AKA "The Fonz," and other cast members from the Milwaukee-based television series Happy Days.
Winkler said he enjoys returning to Wisconsin and appreciates the fans who supported the show.
“They don't watch, we go home. So now, we get to meet the people who have enjoyed us. And they tell us with such warmth. I think it's spectacular," said Winkler.
He did reveal that even though Fonzi was a great mechanic on the show, it was all an act. Although, he did joke about getting his hands dirty in Iola.
“If you bring your car here, I can fix it. That is the amazing thing, even as an actor," said Winkler.
He also joked if his car broke down these days, he'd abandon it on the side of the road before attempting to fix it.
"You know when I was using the screwdriver (on Happy Days), I screwed air for ten years. I just moved the screwdriver around. I had no idea what I was doing," said Winkler.
Amongst the thousands of unique cars at the show, Kim Culp’s 1915 Model T came to life the old-fashioned way, with a crank start.
"That's how a real man starts a car," beamed Culp.
He purchased it last year and loved the simplicity of the car.
“179 cubic inch engine. And it's simple to fix," said Culp.
He said the car cruises comfortably around 30 miles per hour but brought it via trailer from his home in Superior.
“Not welcome on the interstate highway system. Them darn minimum speed limits," joked Culp.
The three-day event showcased eye-catching cars from the past and the people who keep them running and looking good.
“People put a lot of effort into these vehicles. It's really a lot of time and effort," said Henke.
Over 2,500 vehicles were estimated to take part in the show. That also means 2,500 stories the owners gladly shared with anyone who stopped by.