Parrish resident Billy Gallagher used to live in Lakewood Ranch. Now, he visits monthly for the car show.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
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Billy Gallagher’s 2004 Ford Thunderbird looks the same today as it did when he drove it off the lot in 2003.
On Feb. 5, he parked the cherry red beauty on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch for the Classic Car Show hosted by Ed’s Tavern on the first Wednesday of each month from 5-8 p.m.
Gallagher said the key to keeping a car looking brand new is to never let it get too dirty. Little messes are okay, but big messes are a no-no. He’s got a few other tips, as well.
Never allow anyone to eat or drink in the car.
While it’s a “pricey endeavor,” protect the paint job with a ceramic coating.
Park at the far end of the Publix parking lot, so it never gets nicked by a shopping cart.
The Thunderbird is just about to hit 50,000 miles because driving it is so much fun that Gallagher can’t let it sit in the garage all the time.
He participates in the car show because he gets a thrill when others love his car as much as he does.
Gallagher said he’s always been “a Thunderbird guy.” It started when he saw one in the movie “American Graffiti.”
“I thought if I get the car, I can get the girl,” he said.
Parrish resident Billy Gallagher used to live in Lakewood Ranch. Now, he visits monthly for the car show.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Billy Gallagher's 2004 Thunderbird looks as if it was just driven off the lot.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
An antique Chevrolet pickup truck parks along Main Street at Lakewood Ranch for the Classic Car Show.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Parrish's Valerie Kleine doesn't own this antique Chevrolet pickup, her outfit just happens to match it.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Ed's Tavern hosts a Classic Car Show on the first Wednesday of every month from 5-8 p.m.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
A 1965 Datsun 320 hauls a vintage Honda motorcycle in its cab.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Bradenton's Mary Wingate and Lakewood Ranch's Frank Lee stop to admire a 1965 Datsun 320. Lee said the model used to be as popular as the Ford F150.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
This baby blue Chrysler Windsor attracts a steady crowd at the car show.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Hoods up for the car show. This is the engine of a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Lakewood Ranch's Deb Meeks and Jill Carpenter take a walk through the car show after having dinner at Casa Maya.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
The owner of this purple dune buggy has a sense of humor.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Braden Woods resident Gary Hatfield stands behind his 2005 Jaguar XKR.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Bradenton's Joe Parisian is down to "only" four cars. The one he brought to the car show is a 1996 Buick Riviera. Parisian estimates that he's owned 40 cars in his lifetime.
Lesley Dwyer is a staff writer for East County and a graduate of the University of South Florida. After earning a bachelor’s degree in professional and technical writing, she freelanced for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Lesley has lived in the Sarasota area for over 25 years.
