This 1968 Pontiac LeMans was originally purchased by Bob Wehr’s uncle in Seattle, Washington. The car was well driven and then allowed to go to waste behind the uncle’s home where it sat for about 10 years in ugly weather. The car had several trees growing through it when Wehr’s uncle gave the car to him and he restored it. Wehr is a Mesquite resident and may be seen driving the car around town because this is one of two everyday vehicles the Wehrs use. Photo by Teri Nehrenz
There were thousands of visitors to Mesquite this weekend because the 12th Annual Mesquite Motor Mania was here as well.
When you talk to car people, many of the answers to the question, “What got you interested in cars?” begin with the phrase, “Well, because…” and the rest of the story is every bit as unique and diverse as the many autos you’ll find at Motor Mania; this year there were about 900.
As visitors perused the many classic, restored or compiled autos, they might have stopped by Andrea and Russ Hammond’s 1957 Ford T-Bird. The Hammond’s, who live in Lakewood, California, restored the car because it was Andrea’s first car; she bought it in 1962 when she was in high school in Long Beach, California.
The car has gone through several family members and colors, having been pink when Andrea first bought it, then maroon, burn orange and now the dark green that it has worn since the Hammonds restored it 25 years ago. They enjoy showing it about three times a week at various car shows.
Maybe visitors really enjoy the extremely old classics and had the chance to stop by Snowbirds Lonnie and Gayle Malwitz’s 1931 Chevy. They bought that Chevy because Lonnie had one just like it 50 years ago but had to sell it to buy a John Deere tractor so he could farm.
The Malwitz’s love their classic automobiles and because of their love for Chevy have a ’39, ’50, and ’60 Chevy, a ’60 Chevy Corvette, a ’56 mercury, ’26 Maxwell and the ’85 corvette they also had at Motor Mania. “They all need work,” said Lonnie but the couple is retired and because of that, might have some time to get the rest as show ready as the beauties they showed over the weekend.
Keep your eyes open because you may see one of this weekend’s show cars on the roads of Mesquite at any given time.
Bob or Gin Wehr, Sun City residents, may decide to pull the 1968 Pontiac LeMans convertible out of the garage to go to dinner, enjoy a show or grocery shop. This classic beauty is one of two everyday cars and it’s been in Bob’s family since day one, although not always in this condition.
The car was originally purchased by Bob’s Uncle in Seattle, Washington. The car was well driven and then allowed to go to waste behind the uncle’s home where it sat for about 10 years in ugly weather. The car had several trees growing through it when Bob’s uncle gave the car to Bob. Wehr did a full restoration on the car when he lived in Washington but has since purchased the home in Sun City and he and his wife drive either the convertible or a jeep wherever they go.
The LeMans is well loved and cared for because it’s got family history and Bob loves this car, not because Bob’s a huge showman. He only attended Motor Mania with his car because the show was here, in Mesquite.
Mesquite had thousands of car enthusiasts this weekend because they love cars and because organizers keep bringing bigger and better Mesquite Motor Mania each year. Guests also enjoyed slow drag competitions, burn outs, music and food. The event was organized by Las Vegas Crusin’ Association and Mesquite Gaming.
Keep your eyes pointing upward this weekend because: “The skies of Mesquite will be decorated by dozens of colorful hot air balloons as the Ninth Annual Mesquite Balloon Festival returns, Friday, Jan. 24 through Sunday, Jan. 26. The three-day event draws people from all over the country to launch their balloons over the beautiful desert scenery of Mesquite.”
For information on the event visit https://www.visitmesquite.com/event/mesquite-hot-air-balloon-festival/37866/.
