OPD charity car show draws 100+ vehicles
Proceeds from the event will benefit the nonprofit CASA (Community Action Stops Abuse) Marion, a domestic violence services provider.
Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken with his wife, Dawn Balken, in front of their 1949 Ford F-1 pickup. The truck garnered the People’s Choice Award at the sixth annual Cops and Cars charity car and truck show held Nov. 9 at Ocala Police Department headquarters. [Photo by Andy Fillmore]
Car lovers had a sea of vehicles, ranging from a 1929 Ford Model A to a 2024 BMW M4, to enjoy at the sixth annual Cops and Cars charity car and truck show held Nov. 9 at Ocala Police Department headquarters.
“It’s a good show with vehicles old and new and it’s for a good cause. It’s a win-win,” said Bill Burdeshaw as he looked over the engine compartment of a 1929 Ford Model A with Brian Dyals. Both men are from Ocala.
Paul Dempsey, left, and Doug Gray stand in front of Gray’s stock style 1938 Chevrolet. An original copper political ornament made circa 1936 promoted the campaign of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. [Photo by Andy Fillmore]
Next to Soba’s car was a modified 1955 Chevrolet two-door Bel Air with an 350 cubic inch V-8 engine owned by Soba’s friend Al Gut, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, of Weeki Wachee. The two friends’ cars were in an overflow area just outside the OPD parking lot.
Caesar Soba’s 2017 King Premier Edition 825 horsepower Mustang reworked by Petty’s Garage was one of 129 cars registered at the sixth annual Cops and Cars charity car and truck show held Nov. 9 at Ocala Police Department headquarters. [Photo by Andy Fillmore]
“This year’s charity was CASA Marion. In the six years we’ve been doing the show, over $20,000 has gone to charities … between United Way, Greg Graham Legacy and now, CASA.” Cummings wrote in part in a text.
Car show visitor Bill Blair looked over a 1968 AMX model AMC. Blair, a Saint Cloud resident and U.S. Navy veteran of the Vietnam War, said the car “brought back memories.”
Karsyn Elwood and his sister Alexa check out flame decorations on the side of a modified 1969 Chevy Nova owned by Jim and Brenda Ahern at the Cops and Cars charity car and truck show Nov. 9 at Ocala Police Department headquarters. [Photo by Andy Fillmore]
Karsyn Elwood, 5, was taken with the bright chrome and especially the flames on the car. He was accompanied by his sister, Alexa, and their mom, Katelynn Elwood, and other family members. The Elwood’s were among the many families at the event.
David Albaugh, of Summerfield, a founder of the local chapter of the Asphalt Misfits Car Club, showed his 1933 five-window coupe Chevy hot rod. Albaugh said the club, which is open to all types of cars, started in Fort Lauderdale around 2014 and now has a chapter locally.
Rick Olt, also in Asphalt Misfits, displayed his modified 1948 Ford pickup powered by a small block V-8 Ford engine.
Dawn Balken, wife of Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken, garnered the People’s Choice Award for her meticulously restored 1949 F-1 Ford pickup truck. The couple greeted visitors and displayed a book documenting the truck redo project.
Friends Paul Dempsey and Doug Gray had their stock style antique cars side-by-side at the show. Dempsey displayed his Satin Blue 1952 Kaiser Virginian four-door sedan with Hydra -Matic shift, which sold new for $3195.66. Gray showed his factory new looking 86-year-old 1938 Chevy, with accessories including a bumper decoration made of copper with an image of President Franklin D. Roosevelt made circa 1936. The durable political sign was like the original political “bumper sticker” Gray said
To learn more, go to fb.com/ocalapolicedepartment
Car enthusiasts look over rows of cars at the sixth annual Cops and Cars charity car and truck show held Nov. 9 at Ocala Police Department headquarters. [Photo by Andy Fillmore]
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