By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
Cars cruised up and down Sandusky Avenue in Bucyrus as part of a car show, however, unlike the Graffiti Cruise newer models were allowed – and ogled.
The Superfly Auto Con car show took over the main drag of Bucyrus Sunday with tricked out cars with numerous customizations looking for best in class and best in show. Superfly Auto Con spokesman Liam North explained what separates the Superfly Auto Con from most car shows.
“We try to add a lot to the mix with the DJ’s. (At) this car show we got the Plasti Dip competition, the Painter’s Tape competition. The people here, they embrace everyone, and we just have a good time.”
North explained how the Superfly Auto Con chose Bucyrus as a city to hold one of their auto shows.
“We were originally looking for a place that was going to be open and accepting,” North said. “Akron is not as inviting to the car community as Bucyrus was. We were originally looking at the airport, when we talked to the mayor, and he said that the city of Bucyrus already runs a show out here, so my team came came out and we were very excited with what we saw the first time with their show and thought, ‘Great we would love to do that here.’”
Taking first place in the Painter’s Tape competition was Pat Tenney with his 2013 Honda Civic SI. Tenney explained what goes into a Painter’s Tape competition.
“The Painter’s Tape competition, you have to work with the hood of the vehicle,” Tenney said. “You have multi-colors of painter’s tape, you pretty much have to think of a design, they give you only so long to think of a design, and then you have to duplicate the design with painter’s tape, and only painter’s tape.”
In only his second year of participating in the Painters Tape Competition, Tenney has emerged victorious in both of his attempts.
“Last year I entered the painter’s tape and won it with an Akron Skyline and we were in an Akron setting so I figured everyone for this show could relate with Ohio, and especially the reason the star is on it is where we are all from,” Tenney explained. “We are all from the same general area, if not we are very close to it, so I felt everyone can relate to the general image.”
The Plasti Dip competition is a competition in which the hood of the car is painted under a time limit. Taking first place in the Plasti Dip competition was Josh Tolson with his 1990 Nisson 300 XL, which was painted by Lucas Caporuscio. Tolson explained what the painting on his hood for the Plasti Dip competition featured.
“It was just an alien with tentacles; it was actually Lucas’ idea,” Tolson said.
Caporuscio explained where he drew the inspiration for the alien painting.
“I like creative stuff, and I tried to do the teeth on there because it went good with the car, and we just wanted something simple to work off that,” Caporuscio said.
Tolson noted that he enjoyed having the Superfly Auto Con in Bucyrus.
“It was different, it is a good atmosphere, it is a nice location to do the show up and down the strip here, and hopefully we get to do this again here next year,” Tolson explained.
Taking Overall Best in Show as well as the Judges’ Choice Award was Jeff Way. Way explained what drove his car to be number one.
“I have been building since in ’97,” Way said. “Its motor has been swapped, it has 150 horse direct port nitrous, all handmade carbon fiber, custom paint, custom interior. I am sponsored by Recaro, my rear seats are upholstered to match my racing seats, I have got five TVs, DVD video player, video games, a little bit of everything in the car.”
After awards for the show were handed out, North explained that he hopes that the auto show returns next year.
“When the mayor originally talked to us, we were already talking about next year, so if he is willing to let us back in we will definitely be back next year.”
The Superfly Auto Con also gave back to the community for allowing their car show to take place in the city. During the auto show for every Superfly Auto Con T-shirt sold half of the proceeds were to be donated for the Schines Art Park Wall and half of the proceeds would go towards their scholarship for Akron University.