AMBOY — A total of 592 exhibitors came on Sunday, Aug. 25 and registered vehicles in the Amboy Depot Days Car, Truck and Motorcycle Show and the International Auto Sound Challenge Association Show.  Most of the day was perfect for a great show.  People enjoyed the beautiful vehicles, great food, varied and interesting vendors, and tours of the Depot.   

A very hard-working 50/50 crew that is renowned for the incredible job that they do, managed to do it again.  

The lucky winner took home $105,425 and four others won $5000 each. 

The other lucky winner is Amboy. The proceeds from the 50/50 drawing are used for a variety of needs in Amboy, including the Depot, local food pantries, youth organizations, and other needs in the community.

The feature vehicles were Rick and Kathy Ketchum’s Restorations which included a 1957 Chevrolet, a 1939 Chevrolet Coupe, a 2018 Chevrolet Camaro, a 1962 Chevrolet Impala and a 1963 Chevrolet Impala. This was a very special feature collection because Rick and Kathy were founding members of the Depot Days Car Show.  

The International Auto Sound Challenge Association (IASCA) also hosted a competition during the day. There were approximately 50 participants who vied to demonstrate the excellence of the sound systems in their vehicles. New records were set. This is a qualifying meet for national competition. 

Participants and guests saw an impressive array of vehicles, both foreign and domestic, spread among 48 classes, including two classes for exhibit only (one motorcycle and one car/truck not judged), and three special interest classes for unique vehicles of all kinds.  In all, approximately 150 trophies were awarded on Sunday, Aug. 25.  

Meanwhile, more than 60 volunteer judges judged all of the individual classes, and the participants voted for their choices for several special trophies, including Best Car/Truck and Best Motorcycle.

The Amboy Car Show Committee hosts the Depot Days Car, Truck, and Motorcycle Show, but this is a collaborative effort. In all, more than 300 people donate their time and energy to do all of the necessary tasks, including parking cars, registering participants, judging the entries, selling 50/50 tickets and t-shirts, counting participant ballots, working at the entrance gates, arranging for trophies, and more.    

2019 Amboy Depot Days Car, Truck & Motorcycle Show Results:

Class A Restored/Original Model A – B – T  Class

3rd Place:   Dale Burgess, Dixon, 1931 Ford A

2nd Place:   John Noble, Mendota,  1930 Ford A

1st Place:    John & Becky Kehoe, Mendota, 1930 Ford A Coupe

Class B Restored/Original Antique Cars  1948 & Older

3rd Place:   Rodger Wilson, Bolingbrook, 1921 Reo T6

2nd Place:  Chuck Jeanblanc, Amboy, 1938 Chevrolet Coupe

1st Place:   Dan Burkitt, Cornell, 1929 Buick Model 50

Class C Restored/Original Cars 1949-1954

3rd Place:  Mike Scarantino, Dixon, 1951 Pontiac Catalina SD

2nd Place:  Steve Lockhart, Clinton, Iowa 1953 VW Sedan

1st Place:   Chuck Jeanblanc, Amboy, 1953 Hudson Hornet

Class D Restored/Original Cars 1955, 1956, 1957

3rd Place:   Doug Kreiser, Amboy, 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air

2nd Place:   Rich Kanzler, Dixon, 1957 Chevrolet 2-Door

1st Place:    Fred Lenz, Rockford, 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air

Class E  Restored/Original Cars 1958-1963

3rd Place:   Luke Sheely, Adeline, 1957 VW Beetle

2nd Place:  Don Schrock, Dixon, 1958 Chevrolet Impala

1st Place:   Dick & Mary Payne, Amboy, 1963 Chevrolet Impala SS

Class F Restored/

Original Cars 

1964-1965

3rd Place:    Jim Beard, Hennepin, 1964 Chevrolet Corvette

2nd Place:   Cal Lawrence, Hennepin, 1965 Pontiac GTO

1st Place:    Linda Erisman, Franklin Grove, 1965 Ford Mustang Fastback

Class G

Restored/Original Cars 1966-1967

3rd Place:   Duane Moser, Oregon, 1966 Ford Mustang

2nd Place:  Jim Knight, Ashton, 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS

1st Place:   Rob Pudel, Swisher, Iowa 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle SS

Class H

Restored/Original Cars 1968-1969

3rd Place:  Stan Ubben, Mt. Morris, 1968 Pontiac GTO

2nd Place:  Darryl Webb, Port Byron, 1969 Chevrolet Camaro

1st Place:   Bill Wootbrook, Princeton, 1969 Plymouth Roadrunner

Class I

Restored/Original Cars 1970-1972

3rd Place:   Steve Freeman, Winnebago, 1971 Oldsmobile 442

2nd Place:   Duane Pierson, Lockport, 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle

1st Place:    Bud & Kim Cruse, Dixon, 1970 Ford Mustang Mach I

Class J

Restored/Original Cars 1973-1986

3rd Place:  Brian Gould, Bettendorf, Iowa 1985 Pontiac Trans Am

2nd Place:   Kevin Smetters, Dixon,  1975 Buick LeSabre 

1st Place:    Darrell Reber, Byron 1977 Plymouth Roadrunner

Class K

Restored/Original Cars 1987-2005

3rd Place:   Darci Gerdes, Benson, 1998 Pontiac Trans Am

2nd Place:  Brad Schumacher, LaMoille, 1999 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

1st Place:   Mike & Nancy Nieslawski, LaSalle, 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

Class L

Restored/Original Cars & Trucks 2006-Present—Cleanest Vehicle Wins

3rd Place:   Jessica Allison, Crest Hill, 2019 Dodge Challenger

2nd Place:  Sabrina & Eric Janke, Marseilles, 2019 Chevrolet Colorado

1st Place:   Mark & Tammy Bernardoni, Oglesby, 2010 Chevrolet Camaro

Class M Street Rods—Steel Bodies 1934 & Older

3rd Place:   Bruce & Violet Filipiak, Bolingbrook, 1930 Ford 5 Window

2nd Place:   Daniel Wallis, Oswego, 1933 Ford 3 Window

1st Place:    Jerry Boehle, Rochelle, 1929 Ford A Coupe

Class N Street Rods—Steel Bodies 1935-1939

3rd Place:   Chuck Gray, Metamora, 1937 Ford Woody

2nd Place:   Larry Pope, Sterling, 1937 Ford Coupe

1st Place:    Bob Seay, Roscoe, 1937 Ford Cabriolet

Class O

Street Rods—Steel Bodies 1940-1948

3rd Place:  Karl Nielsen, Woodstock, 1940 Dodge Pickup

2nd Place:  Andy Moore, Sterling, 1940 Ford Pickup

1st Place:   Edd Robinson, Princeton, 1940 Chevrolet Master DeLuxe

Class P

Street Rods—Glass Bodies

3rd Place:   John Murphy, Mokena, 1932 Ford Coupe

2nd Place:  Bill Sherman, Peru, 1933 Ford 3 Window

1st Place:   Kurt Richter, Aviston,  1941 Willy’s Coupe

Class Q:  Corvettes 1953-1967

3rd Place:  Margo & Dave Bush, Hampton, 1958 Corvette

2nd Place:  Larry Wegner, Rockford 1964 Corvette

1st Place:   Carol & Bruce DiSantos, Aurora, 1963 Corvette

Class R Corvettes 1968-1982

3rd Place:   Larry Phillips, Amboy, 1981 Corvette

2nd Place:  Craig Jenkins, Clinton, Iowa 1979 Corvette L-82

1st Place:   Ron Anderson, Rockford, 1973 Corvette

Class S

Corvettes 1984-1996

3rd Place:   none

2nd Place:   none

1st Place:    none

Class T

Corvettes 1997-Present

3rd Place:  Dave Reinke, Mt. Morris, 2002 Corvette

2nd Place:  Brad & Chris Bastion, Ladd, 2009 Corvette

1st Place:   Gary & Diane Burger, Dixon, 2012 Corvette Grand Sport

Class U

Customs 

(Includes Low Riders)

3rd Place:    Shane Skillin Sandwich, 1962 Chevrolet Bel Air Wagon

2nd  Place:  Debbie Ewald, Marseilles, 1965 GMC Pickup

1st Place:    Keith & Carol Hilkin, Dubuque, Iowa 1953 Lincoln Capri

Class V

Street Machines 

1949-1957

3rd Place:   Brian Meyer, Joliet, 1968 Chevrolet Chevelle

2nd Place:  Steve Halbleib, McNabb, 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air

1st Place:   Steve Fidley, Aurora, 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air

Class W Street 

Machines 1958-1965

3rd Place:  Colby Tegtman, Hampshire, 1962 Chevrolet Biscayne

2nd Place:  Jeff Huber, Freeport, 1964 Chevrolet Chevelle SS

1st Place:   Tom Palansky, St. Charles, 1964 Chevrolet Impala SS

Class X

Street Machines  

1966-1967

3rd Place:   Louie & Linda Barker, Rockford, 1966 Chevrolet Chevy II

2nd Place:  Gary & Deb Grafelman, Hanna City, 1966 Chevrolet Impala SS

1st Place:   Mark & Sandy Heckman, Dixon, 1966 Chevrolet Nova

Class Y

Street Machines 

1968-1969

3rd Place:   Mick & Sue Peterson, South Beloit, 1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS

2nd Place:  Bruce Briley, Collinsville, 1968 Chevrolet Chevelle

1st Place:   Tim Hoehn, Aurora, 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle

Class Z

Street Machines 

1970-1975

3rd Place:   Terry Dye, Silvis, 1970 Dodge Challenger

2nd Place:   Pete & Judy Rissley, Frankfort, 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle

1st Place:    Randy & Patty Hovey, Galesburg, 1971 Chevrolet Camaro

Class AA Street 

Machines 1976-Present

3rd Place:   Steve Bachorski, Aurora, 2016 Dodge Challenger

2nd Place:  Ted Paulson, Glendale Heights, 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS

1st Place:   Robert Halberkern, Kingston, 2018 Dodge Challenger

Class BB  Pro Street Cars & Trucks—Tubbed

3rd Place:   Fred Miller, Janesville, Wis. 1985 Pontiac Pro Street

2nd Place:  Fred Ray, Rock Island, 1970 Chevrolet El Camino

1st Place:   Rick Spickler, Byron, 1966 Chevrolet Nova

Class CC Restored/Original Trucks 

1969 & Older

3rd Place:   Don Nagle, Davenport, Iowa  1968 Chevrolet C-10

2nd Place:  Kyle Nesteby, Dubuque, Iowa 1969 GMC Sierra 

3rd Place:   Larry & Michele Hunkele, Aurora, 1963 Ford F-100 4X4

Class DD Restored/Original Trucks 

1970-2005

3rd Place:   Rob Snowden, Albany1977 Ford F-150 4X4

2nd Place:  George Weiser, Dixon, 2001 Dodge 1500

1st Place:   Randy Smith, Dixon, 1994 Ford Splash 4 X 4

Class EE 4 X 4 Trucks Modified

3rd Place:   David Stowe, Wilmington, 1959 Chevrolet Apache

2nd Place:  Clifford Raymond, Dixon, 2006 Dodge Ram

1st Place:   Clyde Shafer, Metropolis, 1977 Chevrolet Scottsdale 4X4

Class FF 4 X 2 Trucks Modified 1953 & Older

3rd Place:    Ronald Glynn, LaSalle, 1949 Chevrolet 3100

2nd Place:   Tom Martin, Somonauk, 1951 Chevrolet 3100 Pickup

1st Place      Mike Odom, Kingston, 1938 Chevrolet Apache

Class GG 4 X 2 Trucks Modified 1954 & Newer

3rd Place:    Jim Klein, Woodstock, 1955 Ford Pickup

2nd Place:   Keith Stralow, Morrison, 1954 Chevrolet Pickup

1st Place:    Mark Anning, Tonica, 1959 Chevrolet Apache

Class HH Convertibles (top up for judging—no Corvettes)

3rd Place:   Jerry & Lenka Scholtis, Yorkville, 1960 Skoda Felicia

2nd Place:  Joe Hollmeier, Sugar Grove,  1969 Chevrolet Camaro

1st Place:   Paul Medgyesi, Yorkville,  1954 Chevrolet

Class II Special Interest – Cars Only, Unique Vehicles

3rd Place:  Erick Roebuck, Verona, 2018 Ford Mustang Roush Jackhammer

2nd Place:  John Harris, Stillman Valley, 2018 Chevrolet Camaro Hot Wheels

1st Place:   Sue Fritzsche, Litchfield, 2002 Chrysler PT Dream Cruiser

Class JJ

Special Interest—

Other than Cars

3rd Place:  Carter & Sue Nicholson, Moline, 2015 Dodge Polaris Slingshot

2nd Place:  Rick Kenney, Excelsior Springs, Mo  1965 Ford Econoline Van

1st Place:   Steve Jenner, Amboy, IL  International Lone Star

Class KK Cruiser Class – Non-Judged Class for Exhibition Only – Any Vehicle

Not judged so no trophies are awarded

Class LL Harley 

Davidson—Stock Big Twin 

3rd Place:   Glenda Smith, Amboy, 2013 Harley-Davidson CVD Breakout

2nd Place:   Harley Graham, Jr., Davenport, Iowa  2019 Harley-Davidson Softtail

1st Place:    Tim Nier, DeKalb,  2001 Harley-Davidson Dyna Wide Glide

Class MM Harley 

Davidson—Custom Modified Big Twin

3rd Place:  Buck Roberts, LeClair, Iowa 2015 Harley-Davidson Road Glide

2nd Place:  Kevin Feiske, Davenport, Iowa 2018 Harley-Davidson Street Glide

1st Place:  Terry Warner, Sterling, 1999 Harley-Davidson Road King Classic

Class NN Harley 

Davidson—Dressers

3rd Place:   Jon Scotty Hancock Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Classic

2nd Place:  Drew & Deb Mael, Prophetstown,  2010 Harley-Davidson CVO Screaming Eagle

1st Place:   Carl Ackerson, Dixon,  2010 Harley-Davidson CVO

Class OO Harley Davidson—Vintage Chopper & Vintage Harley-

Davidson 1991 & Older

3rd Place:  none

2nd Place:  none

1st Place:   Don Smith, Amboy, 1987 Harley-Davison FXSTC

Class PP Harley-

Davidson Sportsters

3rd Place:   none

2nd Place:  Shawn Jacobs, Mt. Carroll, 2006 Harley-Davidson XL1200 Sportster

1st Place:   Colton Schwarz, Dixon,  1998 Harley-Davidson Sportster

Class QQ Stock Trikes

3rd Place:   Karl Ketchum, Dixon,2019 Harley-Davidson Tri-Glide

2nd  Place: Laura Clevenger, Rock Falls, 2004 BMW RT1150

1st Place:   Robin & Relissa Senn, Amboy, 2017 Harley-Davidson FLRT Freewheeler

Class RR Radical Baggers

3rd Place:  Ryan Smith, Sandwich, 2016 Harley-Davidson Road Glide

2nd Place:  Todd Cantrell, Moline, 1999 Harley-Davidson Road Glide

1st Place:   Doug DeMatto, Rockton, 2011 Harley-Davidson Street Glide

Class SS Special Interest— Bobbers, 

Hillclimbers, Trikes, Rats, etc.

3rd Place:  Mike Zinke, Dixon, 1968 Triumph T 100

2nd Place:  Jim Todd, Prophetstown, 1963 Triumph

1st Place:   Levi Underhile, Dixon, 1976 Honda CB 750

Class TT Metric 

Motorcycles & Indians

3rd Place:  Greg Furmuga, Addison 2018 Honda Goldwing

2nd Place:  Tad Stephens, Plainfield, 2016 Victory Cross Country

1st Place:   Bob Hartline, Belleville, 2014 Indian Chief Vintage

Class UU Antique 

Metric 1992 & Older

3rd Place:  Jack McKenzie, Mt. Morris, 1975 CANAM MX-2/175

2nd Place:  Pat Lendman, Sterling, 1967 Triumph 

1st Place:   Mark Hand, Rock Falls, 1969 Triumph 100C

Class VVRockets

3rd Place:  Crystal Young, Dixon, 2009 Yamaha R1

2nd Place:  Dustin Holcomb, Dixon, 2004 Suzuki Hayabusa

1st Place:  Tony Stine, Dixon, 2007 Yamaha Custom R1

Class WW Choppers

3rd Place:  none

2nd Place:  Glenda Smith, Amboy, 2008 Custom Chopper

1st Place:   Bryant Johnson, Chicago, 2005 Pro Street

Class XX Non-Judged Class for Motorcycles

Not judged so no trophies are awarded

Special Awards:

Smitty and Jenny Smith Special Award (cash prize):  

1965 Ford Mustang Fastback Linda Erisman, Franklin Grove

Mr. Breeze Award to the Motorcycle selected by the family of Clay Taylor (trophy):  

Crystal Fikboner, Rochelle, 2018 Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic  

Feature Vehicle:  

Rick & Kathy Ketchum’s Restorations, Kathy Ketchum, Amboy

1957 Chevrolet, 1939 Chevrolet Coupe, 2018 Chevrolet Camaro, 1962 Chevrolet Impala, 1963 Chevrolet Impala

Longest Distance (gas card):  

Colton Wagner, Colorado Springs, Colo. with a 1966 Ford Thunderbird

Mayor’s Choice Award:  

Ed Smith, Morton, 1971 Chevrolet 4 X 4 Blazer

Miss Amboy’s Choice Award:  

Rudy Ramos, Dixon, 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible

Participant Voting determines several awards.  Those results were, as follows:

Best Engine:  Arnie Dyer, Rockford, 1961 Nash Metropolitan

Best Paint:  Kurt Richter, Aviston, 1941 Willy’s Coup

Best Interior:  Kurt Richter, Aviston, 1941 Willy’s Coupe

Best GM:  Paul Medgyeri, Yorkville, 1954 Chevrolet Convertible

Best Ford:  Jack Haley, Durand, 1937 Ford 5 Window

Best Mopar:  Terry Dye, Silvis, 1970 Dodge Challenger

Best of Show:  Kurt Richter, Aviston, 1941 Willy’s Coupe

Best of Show Motorcycle:  Doug DeMatto, Rockton, 2011 Harley-Davison Street Glide