HOW TO GO
What: Cavalcade of Customs
Where: Duke Energy Convention Center, 525 Elm St., Cincinnati
When: January 9-11 (3-10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday)
Cost: $14-$16 (adults), $5-$6 (ages 6-12), free for children 5 and younger
More Info: 513-419-7300 or www.koiautoparts.com/cavalcade.
One of the key special features at the Cavalcade of Customs car show at the Duke Convention Center this weekend will be four actual cars from the “Fast and the Furious” movie series.
“There’s a 1995 Eclipse and a ‘95 Jetta from the first movie, a 1970 Dodge Charger from Part 4, and a 2008 Dodge Challenger from Part 6,” said Larry Way, public relations director for KOI Federated Auto Parts, which puts on the show. “The Jetta that I think Paul Walker was driving will still have the bullet holes in it.”
Cavalcade of Customs is an annual show that purports to showcase America’s finest hot rods, custom cars, trucks and motorcycles, including high-performance domestic and foreign cars that emphasize suspension, handling and braking as well as speed.
“We like to present a nice cross-section of everything,” Way said. “We have the street rods from the 1920s through 40s, and the Baby Boomers like those. The next generation likes the muscle cars from the 1960s and 70s. The younger generation like the sporty compact cars. People tend to like what they grew up with, but if you have a general automotive interest, you’ll like them all. With all the customizing and paint, they’re like art.”
Speaking of customizing, another significant attraction will be a “chop shop” by Gene Winfield, a legendary customizer who has designed cars for multiple TV shows and movies, including “Blade Runner,” “Get Smart,” and “Star Trek.” Typically, Winfield will cut the roof from a square car, take off a few inches, and re-weld.
“It’s a way of making the car your own, personalizing it,” Way said. “Often, it make the car look sleeker, smoother. And of course, the value of it goes through the roof because Gene did it.”
There will also be a pedal car challenge, where schools will submit modified pedal cars to be judged, live music, and a lineup of celebrities who will be available for pictures and autographs. Way pointed out the diversity of the celebrity guests, from NASCAR analyst Rutledge Wood and Richard Rawlings from “Gas Monkey Garage” to Disney stars Peyton List (“Jessie”) and Laura Marano (“Austin & Ally”).
“We really try to offer entertainment for the entire family,” Way said. “The days of the show being just a guy thing are long over.”
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