Some 600 individuals experienced all of that – and more – as part of this year’s Lee Harvell Classic Car Show at Crossroads Covenant Church, with more than 90 special vehicles on display.
The show is named in honor of Lee Harvell, who died earlier this summer after battling cancer. It was during his lengthy struggle with the disease that Harvell accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior, prompting the church to rename the annual event.
“This show is unique,” says Pastor Aaron Gonzenbach. He expressed appreciation to the individuals and businesses that contributed money to fund the free barbecue as well as tee shirts commemorating the show, which provides an important outreach to the community.
The uniqueness comes from some of the vehicles displayed at this year’s event: Art Himsl, well-known artist, designer and builder, brought his one-of-a-kind 1937 Himsl Zeppelin Roadliner; Arlen Ness, renowned motorcycle customizer, lent his 1951 Vincent Black Shadow, as well as his personal favorite, “Half & Half.” Among the 90 other beautiful vehicles was an original 1965 AC Cobra 427 roadster. To see photos of “Half & Half” and a stylized van, see Classic Vehicles.
As unique as the vehicles are, the other important aspect that the classic car show celebrates is the life of Harvell, described by Gonzenbach as “a friend to many” who was known for “being a friendly soul.”
“Lee also loved his family, music and his hot rods,” the pastor notes. “Lee’s orange 1934 Ford (accompanying photo) was the winner of the January 2005 San Francisco Rod, Custom and Motorcycle Show and went on to win the ‘Most Elegant’ award at the March 2005 Blackies’ Fresno Autorama. Last year, Lee helped Crossroads Covenant Church organize its first car show, which attracted more than 300 people. Lee was a great, generous, thoughtful man.”
Don McDowell, a friend of Harvell and a member of Crossroads Covenant, had the fun task of figuring out how to fit all of the motorcycles, hot rods and classic cars in the church parking lot. “Next year we may have more cars than our lot can handle,” Gonzenbach predicts.
To learn more about how you can participate in next year’s show or obtain information about other ministries and events at Crossroads, call the church staff at 925-798-5905 or contact them by email at crossroadscov@sbcglobal.net.
To read an earlier account of the classic car show, please see 2005 Harvell Classic.
Copyright © 2011 The Evangelical Covenant Church.
