Each car displayed Sunday at The River Community Church’s 17th annual car show in New Kensington had a story.
But Chris Laskowski’s story is a pretty wild one.
Laskowski’s father, Stephen, spent $3,400 at a Monroeville dealership, after arriving home from the Vietnam War in 1970, to buy a brand-new Boss 302 Ford Mustang. But, after a 1974 accident involving father and a 5-year-old Chris near New Kensington’s Memorial Park sidelined the vehicle, nobody ever drove it again.
When the elder Laskowski died about seven years ago, his son took a leap of faith.
He took the dust-covered car out of the garage — where it had been elevated by jacks, preventing rust — and fixed it up, with an eye toward classic-car status.
Chris Laskowski said the Hemi Orange-colored beast, which he sometimes dubs “Survivor,” is “really rare.” In 1970, it was one of just 166 Mustangs nationwide in this color and trim.
He’s not quite sure what his father would think of presenting the Mustang at car shows.
“I don’t think he’d want it in a garage, rusting away,” said Laskowski, 53, of Arnold. “It’s the way it was when he brought it home from the showroom — I tried to keep it the way it was, the way he wanted it. … I think he would have been proud.”
Car-lovers were thrilled Sunday with the car show — and for good reason, they said.
“This is one of the best shows,” said Amy Kistler of Harrison City as she sat with her husband, Sam, near their 1973 Plymouth Barracuda. “Nobody charges you anything, you get a nice prayer service — it’s just great.”
Dean Ward, pastor at The River Community Church, said it has always been important that nobody pays to attend the event.
“It’s our gift to the community, where a family of five can get entertainment and food for free,” said Ward, as he sported a bluish-gray bandana. “We just felt it was very important to be a blessing to the community.”
More than 200 vintage cars and motorcycles were on display Sunday, and the church provided free meals — fried chicken, pasta, green beans, drinks and grilled food — to about 1,000 people.
An eclectic mix of cars was on display, from a black 1932 Chevy Hot Rod and a turquoise 1959 Edsel Ranger to a “torch red” 2000 Chevy Corvette and a special edition 2002 Harley Davidson motorcycle in “classic firefighter” colors.
Nicky Martinelli’s favorite part? Herbie the Love Bug and the silver Dolorean, made popular by the film “Back To The Future.”
“The ‘80s and ‘90s child I am is very happy today,” laughed Martinelli, the church’s ministry coordinator, as she walked the grounds in a T-shirt, worn by many, reading “I don’t go to church, I am the church.”
“This is a phenomenal event,” New Kensington Mayor Tom Guzzo said. “Every year, it gets bigger and bigger, and every year, I am excited to be a judge.”
The biggest problem? Guzzo had to vote for the most astonishing car on the lot.
“There are so many nice cars — I don’t know how, but I’m picking,” he laughed.
But beyond many, Laskowski’s Mustang drew a lot of awe from those who heard the family’s story.
“I’m a little nervous going to drive it because I’m afraid someone’s gonna hit me,” Laskowski said. “It’s not a daily driver but it runs really well, like brand-new.
“It’s just amazing.”
Justin Vellucci is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Justin at jvellucci@triblive.com.
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