The 19th annual Syracuse Nationals Auto Show began Friday morning, and thousands from across the U.S. and Canada were there to drive onto the State Fairgrounds and secure their parking spots.
The largest car show in the Northeast draws classic cars owners who often invest lavish amounts of money to trick-out their rides. Media spokesperson Bob McClean says the show helps to pump more than $13 million into the local community.
"It comes obviosuly from hotel rooms, as well as restaurants, gasoline purchases and other shopping that goes on during the show. We're very proud that it has had that impact."
Over the years, the show has raised $1.3 million for local charities. Art Schilling of Artie’s Party helped raise a significant portion of that donation with his friends who pinstripe and auction off some exquisite art work in the Horticulture Building.
“Every one of us here are very grateful for the fact that we make a living basically playing with crayons. We're artists. On a personal basis for my wife and I, it's something real dear to our hearts, so we're honored to come and do this.”
The main attraction is an appreciation of vehicles at the Syracuse Nationals. A man who has customized and built some of the most illustrious automobiles is Gene Winfield. Saturday he will select the 10-thousand dollar Winfield Award Winner.
"That's what intrigues the public when they come in to look at these vehicles. They're just so different and so...wow! The paint and everything is just so different.”
Winfield built 25 DeLorean vehicles for the Back to Future Vehicles in 1985 and WAER's John Smith got to hop in.
"It looks like the flux capacitor is working," Smith said.
"It's fluxing!" Tom Jarron of TV Show Cars said.
"What precisely do I need to get it up to?" asked Smith.
"Eighty-Eight!" Jarron said.
"I want to go back in time!" Smith said.
The Syracuse Nationals runs through Sunday, July 22 at the state fairgrounds.
