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Downtown Sycamore hosts 20th annual Fizz Ehrler Memorial Car Show

SYCAMORE ­ Ron Bychowski has put on about 800 miles on his 1924 Ford T-Bucket this year going to car shows in the area. They’re all for a good cause, and the Genoa resident said he had to come to the Annual Fizz Ehrler Memorial Car Show in Sycamore because it was the hometown show.

“Anything for the hometown,” he said.

Bychowski’s car was one of about 900 on display the 20th annual event Sunday in downtown Sycamore. Classic cars and trucks, and more than a few motorcycles, lined the streets, their hoods open for guests to see the engines inside.

“This is when all us classic car guys come to show off,” said Mike Tritle, president of the Turning Back Time Car Club and director of the car show. “It’s also an opportunity to get ideas for our own projects.”

Tritle owns a 1974 Plymouth Barracuda, but after a long weekend of other car events, he kept it at home while he worked the show Sunday.

He said the event began 20 years ago, the idea of local garage owner Chuck Criswell. The first show had about 300 cars, and the event has grown since, including a move to downtown Sycamore, where Tritle estimated the show took up eight blocks this year.

“One of the major perks is to put Sycamore on display,” he said.

Tritle said the event was always a family event, which is why you wouldn’t see a beer tent at the show or other adult-oriented material.

Bychowski said his daughter is interested in the T-Bucket and she’s gone to a number of shows with him this year. He said that’s a good thing.

“It’s been in my family a long time, and my daughter is looking forward to the day it’s hers,” he said.

He’s done most of the work on the car himself, except the painting, Driving the classic is a little different, he said, because the steering is different than newer cars and there is more power under the hood.

“You have to treat it with respect,” Bychowski said.

This year’s Best in Show Award went to Mike Odom and his 1938 Chevrolet Pickup.

The car show donates proceeds to area organizations throughout the year. This year, it was donating its portion of the 50/50 raffle to residents displaced by the fire at St. Albans Green apartments in Sycamore, Tritle said. Other beneficiaries are the Kishwaukee Cancer Center, Disabled Veterans Transportation, Sycamore Park District, Sycamore Schools, Safe Passage and others.

The show was sponsored by Auto Meter and Accurate Towing, among others.

Source: The Daily Chronicle

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