One of America’s oldest custom car shows filled the Duke Energy Center in downtown Cincinnati on the second weekend in January. “We got about 500 entries this year,” said Cavalcade of Customs show promoter Larry Way. “This is the 53rd annual show here in Cincinnati and there is really something for every automotive taste.”

As we made our first pass through the giant show, Way was certainly on target. There were hot rods, customs, import tuners, a display of vintage dragsters,  six generations of oval track sprint cars, a survivor’s alley with traditional old hot rods and unrestored vintage American cars and a tribute to the Batmobile featuring the original car and two newer models.

There was also a strong line-up of celebrities through the three-day event from WWE wrestlers, to Disney Channel stars to reality stars.
Presented by KOI Auto Parts, KOI set up a nearly complete store in the show arena stocking about everything a car guy would need in his garage. Various other vendors also offered many aftermarket accessories.

The show is sanctioned by the International Show Car association, and a battery of judges worked all weekend to judge the cars in a variety of classes. Trophies and cash awards were up for grabs and owners were busy putting the final touches on the appearance of their cars.

One such competitor was Huber Heights resident Charlie Rodgers. Rodgers was showing his just-completed 1962 Chevrolet Impala custom.

“I literally just finished the car. I’ve been working on it night and day for the last six months,” he said. “I wanted something different. I’ve been showing a 1933 Chrysler street rod for a number of years. I won the Street Rod Nationals in 2009 and won the ISCA championship in 2008. 

“It was time for something new, and I always liked the look of these ’62 Impalas,” he said. “It was the car I wanted in high school and couldn’t have, so I finally decided to build one.”

Rodgers’ car has been lowered, painted in a two-tone copper and steel gray and is an understated custom.

“I didn’t want to go over the top. The car has the original lines, I just made it look neater,” he said. “I tore it apart six months ago, and I did all the work myself except the upholstery. I dropped in an LS1 engine, lowered the suspension, built a custom exhaust system, then painted the car.”

“I used 22-inch wheels on the rear and 20s on the front to give it a more raked look and then had the custom interior done,” Rodgers explained. “This is the first show for it. I’ll see how it does, but I’m planning on taking it to at least three other indoor shows this winter — Louisville, Chicago and Indianapolis.”

With that, Rodgers was back to the car using some quick detailer to make sure it was gleaming for the judges.