Documentary Project Begins In Springfield continued...

<<< previous page as well as development of the online archives and reference material found at www.vintagechevrolet.org.

Friendly Faces

As can be expected from the classic car community, many friendly faces greeted the crew as owners of various models told of spirited adventures in the ownership of their cars, unique features that Chevrolet made available in 'their' year, and of the benefits that come with owning such a classic. Some cars were ground-off restorations while others were complete originals. Each carried their own stories and gave the film crew and those who listened in on an informative trip through time.

Elmer Evans of Beaver, Utah (see picture left) discussed his 1924 roadster's "fat man" wheel , which permitted buyers of a 'larger circumference' a special option to flip the steering wheel forward to allow for entry into the car from the driver's side. Biff Behr of Bloomingdale, IL discussed the history of the Amesbury project, Chevrolet's 1915 disaster for a new model introduction that ended with a failure in sales. Today Behr owns one of just six known to exist; only three have been authenticated.

As the day progressed, the stories continued and the sun rose high and hot. Glistening brows caught the afternoon heat, but filming continued. In all, twelve different models were captured on film; including one from 1930 and 1931. The footage covered a large variety of anecdotes and automotive facts that have seldom been heard by the Chevrolet collecting community, but what may have been most rewarding was the new found interest that Burnes saw growing in Nigro and O'Connell during the evening's dinner and post-shoot wrap-up.

Documentary's mission already being fulfilled

Indeed, the two filming experts had begun to get the "bow-tie bug" and it didn't take long for the pre-war (1911-1942 cars) to take the fancy of the cameramen. "I could see it in their eyes and the grins that they expressed when the elders of the club shared fond memories that my colleagues were seeing this as more than a video shoot," Burnes stated. "This is great!" Nigro stated early on day two when Ardie Overby of Beaverton, Oregan displayed the interior of his finely restored 1937 Cabriolet. There was little disagreement from O'Connell as he recorded the inline six engine starting up with his digital recording equipment.

Day two finished with all years having at least one representative from 1914 through 1932 (excluding 1921, which had no cars registered), plus 1936 and 37. Recorded and archived, the trailers began to fill up with participants eager to return their prized possessions to the comfort and protection of their portable homes. Indeed, the team had collected more than they had hoped for by the end of day two and three more days remained including two of touring about the Springfield area and one day of swap meets and fellowship as the international car club enjoyed their gathering.

On the Road - Shooting of Days 3 & 4

Nigro and O'Connell collected much footage during the morning next page >>>