Story and photos by Tom Chillemi
Since before the horseless carriage there have been those who wanted something more than just transportation. For them, the trip was more important than getting to their destination.
Cars, like carriages that preceded them, had something extra. More than just a powered farm wagon, their cars had a smooth ride, engines that could power them over hills and shiny paint.
Early on, basic transportation evolved into a metallic art form, and transportation took to the air.
Some fine examples from the first 100 years of transportation technology assembled for Wings & Wheels 2010 last Saturday at Hummel Field in Topping.
An estimated 3,600 visitors admired their favorites among the 186 cars and motor vehicles, and about 26 airplanes. Mixed in were a few vintage boats.
Antique and exotic cars of the world testify to the love for the automobile in its many different forms. From 1930s flat track racers, to a Ford GT “super car,” and Studebakers to Corvettes, there was so much to see in the 6-hour event. The 26 aircraft ranged from a historic World War II Navy SNJ-5 trainer to experimental aircraft and ultra-lights from all over the state.
In its 15th year, Wings and Wheels 2010 again showed that if you build it, they will come to Middlesex County on the fourth Saturday in September. “It’s our little county fair,” said Wings and Wheels founder Jamie Barnhardt.
See a slide show of Wings and Wheels 2010 at http://www.SSentinel.com.
The winners at Wings & Wheels are as follows:
- American 1900-45—first, Alan Merkel, 1937 GMC; second, Robert Montague, 1921 Lincoln; and third, John and Brenda Hall, 1940 Ford.
- American 1946-66—first, Mary Brill, 1961 Cadillac; second, William Rosenvear, Ford Fairlane; and third, Edison Bunch, 1955 Studebaker.
- American 1967-2010—first, Ronnie Daniel, 1967 Camaro; second, Mary Hollingshead, 1967 Pontiac; and third, David Smiley, 1967 Corvette.
- British 1900-59—first, George Bennet, 1949 Damler; second, Rusty Gross, Jaguar; and third, Chris Cheney, 1954 Jaguar.
- British 1960-80—first, Isabelle Bunch, 1966 Austin Healey; second, George Powell, 1966 Morgan; and third, Bruce Foster, 1966 Morgan.
- European—first, Ronald Mitchell, 1971 Renault; second, Kent Nuckols, Mercedes; and third, Lawrence Fuccella, 1980 Fiat Spyder Turbo.
- Exotic—first, Jim Francis, 1963 Studebaker; second, Jerry Lester, 1936 Mercedes replica; and third, John Mills, 1979 Ford Model A replica.
- Oldest Car—Robert Montague, 1921 Lincoln.
- Best of Show—Mary Brill, 1961 Cadillac.
- Fire and Military Vehicles—first, Bill Hudnall, 1968 Mack Fire Truck; second, Carroll Groff, 1953 GMC Fire Truck; and third, Paul and Nancy Rogers, 1967 Seagrave Fire Truck.
- Best Appearing Fire Truck—Paul and Nancy Rogers, 1984 Ford Fire Truck.
Best Fire Truck in Show—Callao VFD, 1929 Brockway Fire Truck. - Special Award—Bill Max, 1968 Willys-Kaizer Military Ambulance.
- Classic aircraft—first, Gary Elis, 1946 Ercoupe.
“Wings and Wheels 2010 was a very successful day for Hummel airfield,” said organizer Jamie Barnhardt. “It was a day to learn and a day to dream.”
Barnhardt extended “thanks to Middlesex Sheriff Guy Abbott and his dedicated staff, the Hartfield Volunteer Fire Department for their continued support of the show.”
He also thanked “the Middlesex County Board of Supervisors, county administrator Charlie Culley and his wonderful staff, the Middlesex County Airport Committee, the Virginia Department of Aviation, the dedicated Friends of Hummel Airfield, the Middle Peninsula Regional Security Center, the Deltaville Maritime Museum, DC National Guard and MedEvac’s helicopter display.
“Thanks also go to the Northern Neck Chapter of the Antique Auto Club of America, Jim Love for the Legacy Band, the Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society for supplying show programs, local landowners, Hartfield Volunteer Fire Department for auto parking, Neptune Golf Carts and VPPSA,” continued Barnhardt.
“All of the other show contributors deserve tons of thanks,” he added. “It is to the Middlesex County residents, the surrounding counties, and both the aviation and auto participants that I send the largest thanks for supporting the show with their attendance and praise.
“Last, but not least, let’s not overlook the brilliant news coverage of the Southside Sentinel and the Rappahannock Record in providing us with quality coverage of local news,” said Barnhardt.
