The A.J. Barnett mural provides an interesting backdrop for this monster truck. Barnett owned the first Model T in Cuba.
The third annual Classic Car Show sponsored by the Cuba Lions Club was Saturday, and quite a show it was. So many beautiful cars and trucks showed the passion and pride of their owners. The street’s murals were a colorful backdrop for the cars and trucks. There is something about looking at Civil War Murals juxtaposed with cool looking vehicles. And A.J. Barnett’s mural with the first Model T in Cuba with the large monster truck sitting in the street gave a vehicular mini-history lesson.
The Coca-Cola Express provides an interesting contrast to the Civil War Mural.
Cubans and visitors milled about Buchanan Street enjoying the cars and the great weather of an early fall day. Route 66 travelers from around the world lucked on to the event and enjoyed the cars as well. Lions Club members kept busy BBQing and serving up burgers, pork steaks, and other tasty items. The crowd enjoyed eating and visiting at tables set up in the middle of the blocked-off street. It was a festive scene that reminded me of what the street was a few years ago.
This was Buchanan St. before the LIons Club's renovation and pre-murals.
There were no murals then, The Cuba Free Press, the local paper, had moved out of their building, which was empty. The Lions Club had not renovated the building yet. Other storefronts were also empty. There was no car show.
When Viva Cuba, a beautification organization, was planning the Civil War murals, Buchanan St. was chosen, in part, because they thought that the murals would make the street more attractive.
Then the Lions Club took over the old Cuba Free Press building and spent many hours renovating the building. An attractive awning was placed on that building and the small building next door. Pitter Patter, a children’s clothing store, opened in a small storefront. Dr. Hagene chose an attractive sign for his building. The city received a Community Block grant and placed vintage lights along the street. Peoples Bank’s landscaper Charlie Vaughn continues his beautiful landscaping around the bank and the A.J. Barnett mural. The city purchased black planters, which Viva Cuba plants each spring.
Lions Club members Bob and Darlene Mullen took their passion for classic cars and with the help of their Lions Club members planned the car show and have made it an institution in September.
It all came together on Saturday in a colorful street scene of milling crowds, classic cars and trucks, and the sharp smell of BBQ. Buchanan St. in historic uptown has been transformed from drab to festive. It shows how community working together can bring about change that everyone can enjoy. Keep the Lions Club Car Show on your September calendar.
Eating BBQ and visiting were top priorities at the car show.
Lions Club volunteers greeted the car show participants as they signed in.
In the mural, A.J. Barnett cranks his Model T. Today there are high-powered engines.
Missouri artist Ray Harvey took the following two photos using his vintage Widelux camera. To see more of Harvey’s photos and read about this unique camera see an earlier post “Vintage Widelux camera offers new perspective on Cuba Missouri Murals.”
This T-Bird get a new look with the widelux camera.
The widelux photo seems to fit well with the classic cars.
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