by Sylvie Nevenkin
So this year’s BOPC has come and gone, and already I’m looking forward to next year! There were so many great cars as well as great people. There were quite a few new faces (and hood ornaments) this year, especially in the Cadillac department. But Oldsmobile, Buick and Pontiac were also very well represented.
Scott Leroy created some of the most unique and beautiful trophies ever to be given out at any event anywhere (I think they’re WAY better than those Oscars, too!). John Spinella, the Higgins, the Stutzmans, the Whissels, Tom Roe, Mark Haberkorn and sooooooo many others made this BOPC not only possible, but a raging success.
I was excited about handing out the Goody bags, because I enjoy doing anything I can to help. But also, because I would be able to see each and every car as they came around the bend and take their picture. But then the evil Sun and his best friend Humidity tried to take me out of commission, except that David Allen rescued me with a well-timed umbrella. Then Sun and Humidity beat down even harder and I thought I was done for, until John Spinella saved me and I recuperated in the shade with Tom Roe. Overall, the weather was fine and there wasn’t a rain drop in sight.
One of my personal highlights of the day was meeting Brandon, the owner of a beautiful and gargantuan 1976 Oldsmobile 98 Regency. He let me sit in the driver’s seat (where I promptly sank about 2 feet deep!) and took my picture in it. That Oldsmobile is bigger than some of the houses on my street!
Another amazing highlight this year that I enjoyed was the very customized racing Cadillac owned by the folks from Australia (I think it was Australia). That’s a LONG way from Auburndale! I also got to see a friend who came in from the other side of Florida, Pontiac Jeff. It’s all one big GM family reunion!
Several Custom Cruisers were in attendance, and also Toronados from different styling eras. The Curved Dash came out to shine as well. 88s, 98s, Aleros and Auroras, 442s and Cutlasses, and one Bravada!
After the show, many of us went on up the road to eat and process the day’s events. Philip was down from Alabama with his always exceptional 1969 442 and it was nice to catch up with him, as well.
This year’s BOPC SHOW was super fun and I am already looking forward to the 2024 BOPC Show!
