Chief’s Choice, Best in Show at Mt. Lebanon Car Show
Jim Sadler, of Carroll Township, polishes the window of his 1956 Lincoln Capri Coupe, which won the “Chief’s Choice” award.
The “Best in Show” award was given to Peter Rigatti’s 1974 MG-B.
On down the line at the July 12 Mt. Lebanon Classic Car Show and Street Festival.
A reverse look at Washington Road and the cars on display.
Mt. Lebanon police officers Scott Kunz and James Hughes, two of the primary organizers of the car show, drove around on a golf cart corralling resources for judges and attendees.
This custom-made rebuild of a 1966 GT40 Mark 1 belongs to Fred Cramer of Upper St. Clair.
Joe Blyzwicz of the North Hills drove his 1932 Ford Coupe, which he says he goes everywhere in and has been driving for nearly 10 years.
As it was seen driven by James Dean in “Rebel Without a Cause,” this 1951 Mercury Coupe is heavily customized with gold trim plating and replaced chrome, but still runs an original flathead engine with two carburetors. George Gross, of the North Hills, has an authentic 1950s picnic setup in the trunk.
The picnic setup in the back of the 1951 Mercury Coupe, replete with a transistor radio.
Mt. Lebanon police Chief Aaron Lauth had a little help picking out the 1956 Lincoln Capri Coupe for the “Chief’s Choice” award during the July 12 car show along Washington Road.
“I don’t have a very big background in cars, but I just look for what looks nice. I did have some assistance though: my 3- and 6-year-old daughters really liked the powder blue color. And I love old Lincolns – usually late ’60s, but this one really caught my eye. It looked flawless,” Lauth said.
The recognition going to owner Jim Sadler, of Carroll Township, Washington County, who said he was infatuated with the style of car when he was young.
“I bought it eight years ago and completed the restoration. It has 83,000 miles on it, but it drives like floating on a cloud because of the big wheels and big wheel base,” Sadler said.
This is the 20th annual Mt. Lebanon Car Show hosted in part by the municipal police force, which Corporal James Hughes has been at the forefront of organizing for the past five years.
“I am in fact a gear-head. So I can tell you a little bit about each car as we go down the line,” Hughes said. The official judges pored over 127 vehicles at the show, ranging from modified hot rods, to stock trucks and high-end supercars.
“The judges look for quality of exterior, interior, engines, upkeep and cleanliness. And it’s an eclectic mix here, so judges are looking for that each one,” Hughes said.
That blend of criteria led judges to award Peter Rigatti, of Bethel Park, “Best in Show” for his 1974 MG-B, a sleek, two-seater white convertible. Rigatti could not be reached for comment.