Show Mission & History

Please join us at our 26th annual event to celebrate our dedication to the support of the Central Ohio Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation.

In 1982 Bob Lincoln, the president of the Central Ohio Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation, and Leonard Immke, the owner of Immke Buick, shared a vision. They wanted to create an annual "classic" car show that would take place in Central Ohio to serve two purposes.

• Participants would have the opportunity to display and share their classic cars with others in the community and at the same time...
• The event would raise much-needed funds for the Central Ohio Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation.

That first year, Leonard made a few telephone calls and raised $50,000. He then went on to present and host the first Arthritis Foundation Classic Auto Show. The first show was a small one-day event, but it was very successful. For the show's second year (1983), Leonard asked Jeff Brashares to Chair the show. That same year, the show was moved to a new home at Metro Place in Dublin, where it has continued to grow and prosper under Jeff's capable direction to become the huge two-day event that we enjoy so much today. In 1996, Andrew Trux joined the auto show's committee and he now faithfully serves as the event's Co-Chairman.

Friday's Cruise-In had its humble beginnings back in the late 1980s when a "Cruisers" Show-Within-A-Show group, chaired by Jesse Davis and promoted by Let's Go Cruisin News, joined us for Saturday's Classic Auto Show. 75 cars attended and they shared 20 trophies. Within three years, under Jesse's constant nurturing, the "Cruisers" Show-Within-A-Show group became too large to take place as part of Saturday's Classic Auto Show, and so the Friday Cruise-In was created and added to the weekend's events.

Friday's Cruise-In now boasts over 1,500 cars that come from more than 20 states to compete for 125 six-foot tall trophies and many prestigious specialty awards. This event continues to dramatically grow each year. In 2001, David Landow joined the committee to assist with the Cruise-In and he continues serve as a Vice Chairman.

The Arthritis Foundation's Classic Auto Show now boasts 25 judged classes of automobiles including 22 Show-Within-A-Show groups. Local and regional car clubs present each Show-Within-A-Show group.

Each year, our judged classes are expanded and new Show-Within-A-Show groups join us, so please check our NEWS page regularly for all of the latest new additions!

Phil Dirt and The Dozers entertains a huge crowd and every year their dance floor is filled to capacity. In 1996, Mike Albert's spectacular performance of "The Ultimate Tribute" to Elvis was added as our Friday evening entertainment, and Mike has been a huge hit ever since!

Founding Fathers: (from left) Bob Lincoln, Jeff Brashares, Charlotte Immke, Dave Godfrey and Irene Baird.

Today, as the hard-working auto show committee and dedicated staff of the Arthritis Foundation plan a spectacular Silver Anniversary event of unparalleled quality and organization, we know that Len Immke would be proud of Jeff's stewardship over these past 25 years, the Arthritis Foundation staff, our committee of more than 60 highly capable members and over 200 dedicated volunteers, all of whom devote enormous personal time and effort to present the largest and most successful classic auto show and cruise-in held in Ohio. As it did 26 years ago, the event raises vitally needed funds for the Arthritis Foundation's research and support programs.

850,000 residents of Central Ohio, 5,000 of which are children, struggle with more than 100 different types of Arthritis. Your attendance at the 26th Annual Classic Auto Show & Cruise-In on July 11th and 12th, 2008, will help us make a difference.

We look forward to seeing you there and to celebrating a spectacular event with you. We thank you for your valuable support!