Documentary Project Begins In Springfield continued...

<<< previous page hours as cars lined up to head out on tour. The group was bound for a show in downtown Springfield and the new footage allowed Burnes and his associates to capture footage from a different perspective. Assistance from the local police department gave some 'drive-by' footage as a local officer drove Nigro about on his golf cart. Generously, rides were provided in a variety of early and late model Chevrolets by people such as Clarence Straus of Swartz Creek, Michigan who rode the group around in his all-original 1915 Baby Grand touring car (See picture above).

The second day of touring provided Burnes with a unique opportunity to ride with Ken Kaufmann of Monrovia, California in his 1918 D5 Eight Touring car. While Nigro and O'Connel spent the day collecting other footage, Burnes participated in the VCCA's second day of touring to various historic locations such as Mt. Pulaski, Illinois' courthouse where Douglas debated Lincoln and a pioneer village that included actors dressed as early settlers. Passing Chevrolets were in great number and a lot of footage was collected for the documentary.

Final day provides for last minute taping

Friday provided for an excellent chance to get interviews and off-site footage and the documentary crew started early. A swap meet brought in some new faces and one such interview took place with Jim Herron of Indianapolis, Indiana. A long-time member of the VCCA, Herron points out the "camaraderie" and the chance to "learn from others who share in the hobby." When asked about how younger folks can get involved he replied "It is important to have others around you who can lend a helping hand when the unique qualities of your car arise that you've never seen before. The people who get into this hobby will need the expertise and knowledge of the current collectors to take proper car of these cars in the future."

It is the hopes of the video crew to capture this message. "If people can be excited about these cars as easily as I have been, then the only challenge we face in producing the video is making sure the cars and owners tell the story," O'Connell stated late on the final evening of shooting. O'Connell continues "This kind of appreciation must come from the hearts and soul of the people who participate in the hobby." Nigro follows, "As film makers, we can only hope to put the right footage together to say what they do so eloquently."

What's next?

The crew returned to New York during the weekend and expects to take between three and four months for finishing production, editing, and approval. Additional footage will be taken from other owners in the Midwest by Burnes over the next few weeks to complete the material needed to produce the video.

"We expect the finished product to be ready by the first week of December for distribution," Burnes states. Individuals who wish to be informed of the final products availability should register online for email updates from Vintage Chevrolet Online at www.vintagechevrolet.org for more information. The video is expected to sell for $15-20 dollars, depending on final production costs.

Sign up here to be notified when the video will be released.