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Glory 'Daze'

BY JOHN D. HOMAN, THE SOUTHERN

Saturday, June 23, 2007 11:46 PM CDT

DE SOTO - It was likely the threat of a storm that kept the attendance lower than usual at the Sixth Annual De Soto Daze Car Show at the city park Saturday.

But even with about 50 fewer entries, event organizer Kent Buckles said he still counted 113 entries, all of whom left the show with at least one trophy and two door prizes.

"We gave away everything from sun shades for car windows to a very nice hydraulic floor jack," Buckles said. "I can't say enough about our sponsors and how they continue to contribute to make this event a success."

Mike Jackson of Festus, Mo., showed off his custom-made ultra-violet blue 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse, which featured 11 viewing monitors inside, four DVD players, wireless Surround Sound, two camera systems, including one under the car and three 12-volt batteries to run the entire system.

"My father was an RCA sales representative for years, so I've always been around electronics," Jackson said. "I put all this together myself. It took me about a month and a half."

Jackson, who belongs to a car club known as Total Intensity and is nicknamed "Wehrenberg" because of his theater-style vehicle, said he travels to at least one car show a week in the summer. Sometimes, his wife, Rita, comes along. Other times, some of his friends travel with him.

"This is a nice show," Jackson said. "I plan to come back."

Jack Manus of Lick Creek said he has owned his turquoise-colored 1948 Ford F-1 pickup since 2000.

"This is my first time here at De Soto, too," Manus said. "I usually do several shows each summer, mostly big ones out of state. In April, I was in New Orleans, and in May, I was in Piggott, Ark."

A retired 30-year employee with General Motors in Indiana, Manus said he has always "messed" with older cars and pointed out that the '48 Ford is unique in that it is one of only three such cars in the world to have a turquoise-colored inlay steering wheel. He added that he has probably invested close to $40,000 of his own money in the car.

"I drive it everywhere," he said. "I've put about 12,000 miles on it in the last two years."

john.homan@thesouthern.com

351-5805

Winners named at De Soto Daze Car Show

DE SOTO - While it's true that everyone who registered an entry at the Sixth Annul De Soto Daze Car Show walked away a winner in some form or fashion, there were a few who won special prizes.

Here's a list of the major award winners:

Best Car: Richard Spinks of Herrin with his 1999 Chevrolet Corvette.

Best Truck: Dale Stearns of Carbondale and his 1955 Ford F-100.

Best Import: Stuart Hedges of St. Peters, Mo., and his 2006 Toyota Scion.

Best Paint Job: Steve and Kathy Watson of Herrin with their 1952 Chevrolet pickup truck.

Fire Chief's Choice: Bobby Crain of Du Quoin and his 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle.

Police Chief's Choice: Barney and Margaret Corder of Herrin and their 1972 Chevelle.

Lion's Club Choice: Marty Vaughn of Carbondale and his 1954 Desoto.

Longest Distance Traveled: Mike Jackson of Festus, Mo.

Club Participation Award: River to River Corvette Club of Southern Illinois with 17 members participating in the show.

Best Engine, Mayor's Choice and Village Board's Choice: The James family of Sikeston, Mo., for their 1955, '56 and '57 Chevrolets.