By Paul Barrett
FOSTERDALE — July 9, 2004 – A 1932 Ford Coupe, ’28 Ford Model A, ’69 Chevy Nova, and ’78 Chevy Z28 were among the many vehicles on display at this year’s first annual Car, Bike and Quad show, which was held on Sunday at the Fosterdale Motor Lodge.
“I’m very happy with all the people that came out,” said Joe Tinari, owner of the Fosterdale Motor Lodge and coordinator of the show.
This was the first year that cars, bikes and quads were on exhibit together.
Automobile enthusiasts came from all over to admire the machines.
“[The event] was small but sweet; over half were big money vehicles,” said Pete Shanley of Cochecton, who also owns a ‘73 Pontiac Grand Am.
So what would make an individual spend so much time and money on a vehicle?
For Luis Rivera Sr., the urge to build a desirable car began at age 16. He spent years placing sound systems, televisions, Playstations, rims and other accessories on his vehicles.
But after he lost his wife on September 11, 2001 the reasoning behind his passion shifted. Rivera now constructs vehicles in remembrance of his wife.
His T-Rex, a vehicle with dual wheels in the front and one in the rear, honored his wife with her portrait on the hood.
The T-Rex, one of only 35 in America, took first place at the recent Funk Master Flex Show in New York City. It beat out various other bikes, including rapper Wyclef’s bike that was custom-made by Orange County Choppers.
Rivera and his son, Luis Rivera Jr., attend auto shows to display their vehicles to people who might otherwise never see such rare machines.
But mostly, Rivera said, “I do it for the kids.”
Spectators broke away from the vintage cars to enjoy an ATV stunt show put on by Juvenile Tendencies. The skilled Juvenile Tendencies riders impressed the crowd of nearly 75 people with a variety of ATV tricks.
“It’s an outstanding turnout – they picked an awesome weekend,” said Doc Bolduc, an Air Force recruiter who attended the show.
The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held each year on the July 4th weekend.
To see more photos of the cars that were on display at last weekend’s event, log onto 17Bcars.com or TeamFASracing.com.
For more information about Juvenile Tendencies and its ATV show, visit www.juveniletendencies.com.