GREENTOWN — It’s a long way from California to Kokomo by car, a daunting trip that many might hesitate to make in these days of $4 per gallon gasoline.
But Ernie and Shirley Lawyer made the trip in a 1915 Dodge to attend the annual Dodge Brothers International Club event taking place in Kokomo this week.
Dodge owners from California, Canada, Connecticut, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio and Oregon were among those gathered for an ice cream social Monday at the Greentown residence of Dennis Bollhoefer.
A total of 55 classic Dodge automobiles were expected in Kokomo this week, many taking part in the Haynes Apperson Parade on Saturday.
It took the Lawyers 14 days to cover the 2,526 miles from San Bernadino County to Kokomo. The Lawyers came across America on U.S. 60 and then crossed into Indiana near Evansville and found their way to Kokomo.
The Lawyers purchased the 1915 Dodge 17 years ago and this is the second cross-country trip they have made, traveling to Cape Cod in 2004.
“The car looked good and was for sale,” Ernie Lawyer said. “It was completely restored.”
Shirley Lawyer said traveling across the country at 35 or 40 mph provided ample opportunity to see lots of beautiful country.
“We have met a lot of good, interesting people,” she said.
The Dodge averaged 15 miles per gallon.
Canadian Wayne Wilson brought his 1919 Dodge to Kokomo this week.
“All I had to do was clean everything up,” he said. “I did some minor body work and had the car repainted. That is the original top and upholstery.”
Wilson has three other Dodge cars in his collection.
“I could have driven it down,” he said of the trip. “I wouldn’t be afraid to drive it. But by trailering here, it turned a two-day trip into eight hours.”
Wilson had high praise for the Automotive Heritage Museum at the Kokomo Event Center.
“This is a beautiful city,” Wilson said. “Everyone is friendly. It is an interesting city, there are some pretty unique things to see here. It’s a nice clean city.”
George and Jean Wallis of South Haven, Mich., were taking a break in the back of their 1931 Dodge Monday.
Wallis said he previously owned a 1929 Whippet that he purchased for $15 while in high school.
“When I went into the service, I sold it for $75,” he laughed. “It took me 40 years to get another collector car. We’ve been tickled with it ever since we bought it.”
Wallis said the couple has been to Kokomo several times before, stopping to eat or for gasoline on their way to Florida.
“We’d passed the museum before, but never went in,” he said. “We really enjoyed visiting the museum.”
If you go:
Area residents can view some of the 55 classic vehicles belonging to Dodge Brothers club members at the following events this week.
• Today: 5 to 9 p.m. on the Courthouse Square
• Friday: Cruise-in Car Show from 6 to 9 p.m., Courthouse Square
• Saturday: Pioneer Auto Club Car Show 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Courthouse Square
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Dodge Brothers International in Kokomo this weekend
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