Part of the fun of owning an antique, vintage, or classic car is having a story to tell about that vehicle.

Greg Dyer, who has been a head judge at the New Holland Antique Car, Gas Engine, and Tractor Show for 30 years, has a story about his 1963 Thunderbird, and his grandson Harry Townsend has a story to go with his 1987 Dodge D150 pickup. Both cars will be featured on the dash plaque for the 2021 car show, which will be held in the New Holland Community Memorial Park, 400 E. Jackson St., New Holland, on Sunday, July 11. The field will open for car parking at 9 a.m. According to organizer Steve Loewen, the theme of the show will be "1970-71 Muscle Cars." "Those are the pinnacle years for muscle cars," said Loewen. "We are calling it the Muscle Car Era."

Dyer and Townsend worked together to restore both the Thunderbird and the truck. Dyer first saw the Thunderbird as a middle school student when it was owned by the father of a classmate. "Years later, I worked with the guy who owned it. His sons had torn it apart, so when I bought it there was no engine, transmission, or interior," Dyer explained, adding that the owner had all the parts. "That was 1994," he recalled, standing proudly by the now-complete white Thunderbird with a black top and red interior.

Townsend has been associated with the car show since he was featured in a newspaper photo in a miniature car as a child. He purchased his now brightly painted truck in February 2017 for $800. "It was my first truck," recalled Townsend, whose grandfather added that in 2017 the then high school student did not yet have a driver's license. "It barely ran, and it had a lot of rust," Townsend said. "I am awfully proud of it (now)."

Between 9 a.m. and noon on July 11, vintage cars will line up on the show field, while hit-and-miss engines and vintage tractors will be on view in the park. Antique tractors and hit-and-miss engines that are not being judged may be displayed free of charge. Cars will be judged in more than 30 classes. Judging for the People's Choice Award will begin at noon and cease at 2 p.m. For a nominal fee, spectators may obtain a ballot and vote for their favorite car. The Carl S. Sauder and Tom Wagner memorial awards will be given to cars chosen by designated judges at 3 p.m.

The show is presented in partnership with the New Holland Band, and at 1 p.m., the New Holland Combo Band will perform.

A variety of food items will be available for purchase, including bacon, egg, and cheese breakfast sandwiches and coffee from 9 a.m. until noon. Other food that will be for sale at the event will include hamburgers, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, pulled pork sandwiches, french fries, and ice cream.

In conjunction with the car show, the Friends of the ELANCO Library will hold a book sale at the park that day.

The show will be held rain or shine. Cars that will be judged must be registered to participate by 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 10. Owners who have questions about the show may contact Loewen at loewen58@yahoo.com or call 717-413-6229.