By DON FLETCHER
News Staff Writer
Fred Flavors of Atmore doesn’t drive his 1964 Chevrolet Impala SS anywhere but to car shows, but those rare drives have proven worth it.
Flavors, who owns numerous trophies from various auto exhibitions to which he and the bright red Chevrolet have traveled over the years, added another to his collection Saturday (November 10) when he wrangled a first-place showing at the third annual Tedder Auto Repair Christmas for Kids Car Show.
Everyone who attended was asked to vote for his or her favorite, and the Impala received more than twice the votes as its next-closest competitor. Denise Vasifenao’s 1960 Pontiac Station Wagon and Jacob Tedder’s 1964 Ford Thunderbird took second and third, respectively.
Participation in the fundraising event, the proceeds of which will be used to buy toys and other Christmas gifts for children of needy families, was again affected by the weather, as stiff, icy winds limited the number of entries to 10. They ranged from a 1957 Chevrolet named “Alabama Miracle” to a 1966 Cadillac.
“We have four kids from two families who are living with their grandparents, and I think we’re going to use all the money for them,” Cindy Tedder said.
About four dozen people either got out and viewed the classic automobiles or perused the entries from the warmth of their vehicles. Those who got up close were treated to free pizza, home-baked cookies, soft drinks and coffee.
“We had a good crowd and a lot of good conversation,” Bubba Tedder said after the event. “It made my day just to look out there and see all those old cars. Most of them look better than the cars that are built today.”
The auto mechanic said he has seen the weather go from one extreme to the other during the three years he and his wife Cindy have held the event.
“It was a pretty good day but kind of chilly,” he said. “We had it in August last year, and it was 91 on the day of the car show. I said I was going to do it this year when it was a little cooler. Well, it was a lot cooler. Next year, we need to try and plan for a date that’s a little bit mild. We need some 70-degree weather for this.”