In its third year at the Shelby Township Community Park, the 2026 Shelby Fruit Festival Car Show had 42 entries. This car show continues to grow larger each year. The new parking location for 2026 made it easier for spectators to see the cars and for the entrants to get better access to food trucks and other festival events.
Every vehicle there likely had a story to tell, and here are some of them:
• Mike Bugajski from Whitehall was there with his 1937 Plymouth PT-50 pickup. He bought the unrestored truck in 2002 and did most of the work himself, except for the paint job. He said, “They only produced Plymouth pickups for five years.” Low sales and demands of WWII led to its demise. He also owns a restored 1939 Plymouth automobile. His efforts were rewarded as he won the Best in Class – Vintage award.
• A monster and a midget. Chris Wright of Stony Lake had his 1963 Cadillac Coupe on display. He puts about 10,000 miles on the car each year. “I drove it on Route 66 as far west as Tulsa, Oklahoma, this year,” he said. It has a modern driveline from a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado with the LS engine. “The car weighs about 6,000 pounds but still gets 40 miles per gallon,” he said. This is one monster car. Parked a few spaces from the Caddy was a 1975 MG Midget, tiny in comparison.
• Lois Fauble arrived from New Era in her restored red 1948 Willys Jeepster. “I got it when I was 16,” she said. “Dad gave it to me.” After about 10 years, her dad got involved again. The engine was shot, and he replaced it with one from a Nissan Fairlady. Then, it ended up sitting in a field near Leroy, Michigan. As the years passed, the car sank deeper and deeper into the ground. “This far,” she said, holding her hand about 12” from the bottom of a door. Used for target practice, there were many bullet holes in it. Still, she wanted to drive it again. After a six-year restoration by her husband, Dennis, with a GM LS engine under the hood, she was able to do that in 2006. “I have been having a blast ever since,” she said.
• Dennis parked his 1948 Chevrolet pickup beside the Jeepster. The body of this ¾-ton farm truck from Minnesota is all original, with faded paint and a few dents. There is no family history with this vehicle. It now has an S10 pickup frame under it and the popular LS engine.
• Rusty Haight from Pentwater was there with his 1968 Ford Country Sedan. This station wagon still has the original paint, interior and 390-engine, all of which are in excellent condition. It was kept garaged, maintained and frequently waxed by his grandparents, second owners of the car. Rusty got it from them 15 years ago. He likes to demonstrate how the rear entry door can be opened like a tailgate or a conventional door.
Next year’s car show may be even larger, and here's hoping that it is!
