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Cool Green Auto and Tire celebrates vintage vehicles

By Staff | Jun 22, 2018

Tabitha Johnston/Chronicle Brothers Tom Dowell, of Shepherdstown, and Chris Dowell, of Sharpsburg, check out Chris’ racecar, a 1959 Triumph TR3S, at last Saturday’s Cool Green Car Show.

Cool Green Auto and Tire Inc. hosted its second annual juried Cool Green Car Show, featuring 15 cars, a moon bounce, barbecue and funnel cakes, on Saturday.

The free community event drew dozens of visitors to check out the vehicles and participate in the competition, which included a People’s Choice Award and Cool Green’s Choice Award.

Andrew Landis, of Baltimore, said it was his and his friends’ first time visiting the Eastern Panhandle. He and his friends saw the cars while driving around town and decided to stop by.

Landis, a Jeep Wrangler owner, was particularly interested in stopping at the event when he saw a Jeep was being exhibited in the show.

“There’s definitely a camaraderie there between Jeep drivers – as you drive a Jeep, you see other Jeeps and wave,” Landis said. “I’m definitely more of a Jeep guy, although I do appreciate seeing other peoples’ work and experiencing their culture. There’s so much family history in some of these vehicles, connecting the generations, and everybody puts a personalized touch on their vehicles.”

Tabitha Johnston/Chronicle Two of the 15 cars featured in the car show sit in the lot. The event also featured games and food.

Paul Bisher, a former principal of Jefferson High School, was working on updating a 1939 Chevrolet pickup truck.

“When it’s finished, it will be modernized and safe, but look old,” Bisher said.

The truck, which Bisher bought last July, had several parts ruined by age. Cool Green Auto and Tire owner Mike Bean is helping Bisher with the truck renovation, which Bisher estimates will be completed in two to three years.

“The community helped us restore this building and build this business, so this is a way to open the business to the community,” Bean said, mentioning he hopes to grow the show to about 30 to 40 cars every year. “This gives the community a chance to see the result of the investment they’ve made in us. We’ve got some very state-of-the-art activity going on here.”

Bean, who was a mechanic in the Army for three years, said the proceeds from the event’s raffle and show would be matched by the business and donated to the Fisher House Foundation, which provides assistance to the families of injured veterans receiving medical treatment.

Tabitha Johnston/Chronicle Paul Bisher shows off his partially restored 1939 Chevolet truck, which he plans to use for World War II reenacments once the restoration process is complete.

“It’s been something I’ve wanted to donate to for a long time. I wish we could have done more,” Bean said. “As this event continues in the future, our donations will grow. Hopefully we will be able to double the event proceeds in the future, not just match them.”