SHS students flex their muscle cars

Bobby Hunsucker has what many other high school kids wish for, his own car.

However, his wheels aren't on just any car, it's a 1979 Corvette.

"My dad bought it off a guy here in Seymour and I bought it off my dad a few years later, Hunsucker explained of how he ended up with the car. "He wanted to sell it and he worked with me on making payments on it, but I got it paid off for what he wanted for it."

While proud of his car, Hunsucker, a junior and vice president of Seymour High School's Car Club, felt a little intimidated as his car sat across from a 1971 Corvette, which looked to be in top condition, at Saturday's third annual Hotrods and Academics Car Show at Seymour High School.

"I haven't done much to it except put in a new radio and work on the engine a little bit," he said of his red Vette. "It needs a paint job, that's next on my list. Going to school and working part time, it's insurance and gas right now."

Saturday's show brought in more than 50 entries, 15 of those being students.

"We have an open class and a student category. It gives the chance for all the students that are exhibiting to kind of be in their own category," said Jeremy Wischmeier, sponsor of the car club. "Then we give a top five award for student and a top five award for open class."

The Car Club, which was formed three years ago by sponsors Wischmeier, Ryan Money and Greg Ault, includes 50 student members who have an interest in cars.

"We organized the car club at the high school and we were trying to come up with some things we could do to get the students involved, so we decided to do a car show the first year," Wischmeier said.

"We had great success with it so we've continued doing it every year," Wischmeier added. "It gives students a great opportunity to see all the different cars from the community."

Students as well as visitors to the show had the opportunity to talk with car owners and see what's out there from all different makes and models.

Bruce Silence of Seymour entered his 1970 Chevelle in Saturday's exhibit.

"They never had anything like this when I was in school," Silence said of the car show.

"I think it's a neat deal. It's the first one (car show) of the year, so it gives you a reason to get them out and clean them up."

Several students were interested in the work Silence had put into his car.

"There have been a couple students that have come over and looked through my pictures and said, ‘that's a lot of work,' and it is a lot of work," he said. "The end result is what counts. A little hard work never hurt anybody."

Wischmeier said while some see working with cars as a hobby, several of his students have an interest in making a career of it.

Hunsucker is still unsure.

"I planned on it, but the economy right now and the auto industry aren't looking too well. I don't know what I'm going to do yet, but it will always be in my life," Hunsucker said. "Especially this car; I don't plan on selling it any time soon."

Proceeds from the car show will go toward a scholarship for a car club student who is pursuing a degree in an automotive field.