Cars and People of Every Kind-

Classic Autos and the Folks Who Love Them

All kinds of classic automobiles are on display at the monthly Cars nd Coffee show in the Merced Mall parking lot. Photo: Steve Newvine

A wide range of automobiles and people attend car shows in Merced and throughout California.

Ever since I discovered the Cars and Coffee Merced monthly showcase at the Merced Mall parking lot, I have made it a regular stop on the first Saturday of every month, from March through October.

The most recent event provided an opportunity to speak with some of the owners about their children, or, in the case of classic auto shows, their cars.

1969 Dodge pick-up truck. Photo: Steve Newvine

Doane Yawger bought a 1969 Dodge pick-up about a year ago. When he’s not writing stories about classic vehicles for the weekly newspaper, he’s going to car shows. “I just celebrated my birthday,” he said. “And I thought what better place to celebrate than at a car show.”

His truck is the third classic he’s bought over the years. First up was a 1950 Oldsmobile that he bought, drove, and later sold. Next was a 1962 Nova that he purchased and then later sold. He says he plans to stick with this pickup for a longer time.

1949 Studebaker Champion

Robin Shepard is proud of his 1949 Studebaker Champion sedan. When he bought it several years ago, it was in pretty poor shape. “It was all beat up, nothing special,” he said as he showed off the results of the years-long effort he had put into the car. “The seller ran it into the ground, but I put a lot of time into it to get it where it is today.”

Robin consulted with numerous local car experts for some of the more challenging aspects of rebuilding his Studebaker. Thanks to his commitment and the skills of these local classic car experts, his Champion now lives up to its name.

1970 Dodge Dart

When Steve Chastain and his wife, Patsy, sought to find a 1969 Charger RT, they encountered sticker shock that prompted the couple to reconsider their choice of classic car. They found a 1970 Dodge Dart from a seller in Chandler, Arizona, that would soon be the car of their dreams.

“It was important that we got something he liked, but that I could ride in,” Patsy said.

The couple rode Harley-Davidson motorcycles when they were younger, but had to give that up as her eyesight became challenged. “This car was perfect for me to ride along with Steve in,” she said.

Steve agrees, “It did not replace the Harleys, as we always enjoyed muscle cars. It’s just that we were not able to have both at the same time. Both are very enjoyable to us.”

Every first Saturday morning from March to October, car lovers can bring classic vehicles to the free Cars and Coffee show in the Mall parking lot. There are all kinds of automobiles, as well as a few motorcycles, occasionally. It’s been a great kick-off to Saturday for these classic car owners.                                                                                                                                                                                           

A diverse range of cars and people.-

Steve Newvine lives in Merced.  

His latest book is about the twenty-year friendship between Jack Benny and Johnny Carson.

His books are available locally at the Merced County Courthouse Museum gift shop, Bookish Modesto, 811 W Roseburg Avenue, in the Roseburg Square Shopping Center. Online, the book Jack and Johnny is on Amazon, BN, and at his publishing site, Jack & Johnny (lulu.com)