Reving it up for charities

Marion County Tax Collector George Albright’s grandson, Hansyn Hauge, 13 months, sits behind the wheel of Albright’s 1952 Nash Rambler Country Club Hardtop as Albright looks on at his home on Southeast 15th Avenue in Ocala, Fla. on Tuesday, February 6, 2024. Albright is gearing up for his 14th-Annual Charity Car Show that will be held in the Tax Collector’s parking lot at the McPherson Governmental Complex on Saturday, February 17, 2024 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Proceeds support Marion County charities. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2024.

Home » Community

Posted February 7, 2024 | By Andy Fillmore, andy@ocalagazette.com

Do you remember the Nash Rambler driven by the Lois Lane character in the “Adventures of Superman” television show?

You’ll see a 1952 Nash Rambler similar to the Lois Lane car on display with about 250 other entries at the 14th annual Marion County Tax Collector’s Charity Car Show on Feb. 17. The event will run from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the McPherson Governmental Complex at 503 SE 25th Ave., Ocala.

“The car used in the show was a convertible,” said George Albright, Marion County Tax Collector and a collectible car buff, who will be displaying his two-tone green 1952 Nash Rambler Country Club hardtop at the event.

The Superman series ran from 1952 to 1958 and starred George Reeves as Clark Kent/Superman in 104 episodes, according to IMDb.com. Actress Phyllis Coates played the Lois Lane character in 24 episodes from 1952 to 1953 and Noel Neill portrayed the character in 78 episodes from 1953 to 1958, according to the website.

Albright said the car has a flathead six-cylinder engine with a three-speed manual transmission and electronically engaged overdrive.

As an early compact size car, the Nash Rambler was sometimes considered a family’s second car, he said.

Albright said several factors attracted him to the Nash Rambler.

“The European styling and rarity, and the colors and condition, attracted me to this particular car. I have never seen one on the highway ever, even as a young kid in the 1960s who loved anything cars,” Albright said via email.

“I bought the car in 2023 off of an eBay auction that didn’t meet the seller’s reserve. It was located in Upstate New York. The motor is totally rebuilt, and the car runs and drives wonderfully,” he added.

“This car definitely falls in the ‘fabulous fifties’ niche of car collecting, when Detroit was king of the automotive world,” he wrote.

The “beautiful restoration” of the car earned it a second-place national award at the 2022 AACA (Antique Automobile Club of America) show at Saratoga, N.Y., Albright messaged.

The upcoming show will offer a wide variety of collectibles, from antiques to muscle cars. Entries are expected from the Ocala Jeep Club and Corvette Club of Marion County. The Kingdom of the Sun Chapter of the Antique Automobile Club of America has been a regular supporter of the show and members Frank and Pamela Stafford will be displaying their award-winning 1937 Packard.

National Parts Depot of Ocala, a nationwide supplier of collectible and antique car parts, has been a longtime sponsor of the event. Rick Schmidt, vice president and COO of NPD, wrote in an email message that he is proud to be part of the annual show, which benefits local charities.

“It’s a perfect way for NPD to support the hobby that supports us in return, while also donating to worthy charities. We’re proud to be involved, and thank everyone at the Tax Collector’s office,” he wrote.

The free for spectators show will also feature motorcycles and antique and classic boats on trailers are welcomed.

Top 25 trophies, as well as a People’s Choice trophy, will be awarded and the event will offer food, music, a kids bounce house, azalea sale, craft and antique vendors, and car parts swaps .

Albright said in its history, the event has raised more than $250,000 for community charities in Marion County.

Louann DeSantis, charities coordinator for the county office, stated in an email that car show funds raised benefit Interfaith Emergency Services (the food pantry and Food 4 Kids), The Rock, Boy Scouts Troop 113,  Helping Hands, ARC (King of the Wing event), University of Florida Foundation for CARD Research, the Marion County Humane Society, Forest Animal Rescue and the Marion County Children’s Alliance.

“The two national organizations we support are Samaritan’s Purse and Wreaths Across America. Our car show last year raised almost $30,000,” DeSantis wrote.

“During the year, with the help of Marion County residents, tons of food and money were given to the Interfaith food pantry. We support Bring the Harvest Home and have a project here to raise money to purchase turkeys prior to Thanksgiving. This year we donated 600 turkeys to Interfaith—again, with the generous help of Marion County residents,” stated DeSantis.

“Over $8,000 went to Wreaths Across America, because of help from Marion County residents and that of the Tax Collector’s employees,” DeSantis added. “Mr. Albright … encourages his employees to look for ways to benefit our area.”

Pre-registration for show vehicles before Feb.15 is $15. Registration at the gate will be $20. The show is free for spectators.

For more information, contact Jacob Wicklein at (352) 368-8203 or jwicklein@mariontax.com