Bama Birds host car show
Published 4:27 pm Monday, September 16, 2019
John and Jeannie Chance with their 1976 Anniversary Limited Edition Trans Am. (JOYANNA LOVE/ ADVERTISER)
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By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer
The inaugural Bama Birds Pontiac Car Show in Clanton successfully raised $2,000 for the Ronald McDonald House.
“We had a total of 78 Pontiacs and raised $3,115 total,” organizer Wayne Edmondson said. “We will be making a $2,000 donation to the Ronald McDonald House. We will use the rest of the money to fund next year’s show. Bama Birds is a nonprofit organization.”
He said the participation “was great for a first-time event.”
Edmondson has enjoyed cars all his life, especially the body style and color of the Pontiacs.
Awards were given for best of the show, best paint, best engine, best interior, kid’s choice, longest distance and best Firebird of each generation.
Door prizes and a 50/50 prize were also given out.
John Chance of Clanton brought his 1976 Anniversary Limited Edition Trans Am.
“They only made 533 of them,” Chance said. “It’s a matching numbers car. I bought it about two months ago.”
He said he enjoyed the “nostalgia of these old cars” and the opportunity to be with fellow car enthusiasts.
He said he has been interested in cars for all of his life.
David Hubbard of Ramer said he and his friends are “Pontiac lovers.”
“We do this Smokey and the Bandit skit,” Chance said. “we go around to shows and do that. The kids love it.”
He brought a replica of the Buford T. Justice sheriff car to the show.
“My father fooled with old cars, and I grew up around it,” Hubbard said. “Me and my high school buddies we all had hot rod cars. I’ve just been around cars all my life.”
Donna Summerlin of Odenville said she wanted to participate in the show to support the Ronald McDonald House and Bama Birds.
“I’ve owned Trans Ams for several years, loved them since I was a teenager,” Summerlin said.
She said a friend of hers had one when she was a teenager. Summerlin began collecting Trans Ams after her children grew up and has three of them now She has three of them now.
Summerlin said she brought her 1978 Silver and a 1981 Gray to the show.
Tyler Frederick of Alabaster brought his 2000 Trans Am to the show.
“I have wanted one of these ever since my cousin bought one in 2000,” Frederick said. “I just love this body style.”
He said he enjoyed seeing all the cars and the location.
Matt Freeman of Maplesville with Bama Birds said being involved in coordinating the event had been a “great experience.”
“Me and my dad have had Trans Ams for a while,” Freeman said. “I absolutely love them. It’s a great event hoping that it can grow to be more.”
Freeman said he enjoyed the atmosphere and knowing so many people.
Bama Birds, a Pontiac enthusiasts group started by Wayne and Holli Edmondson, plans to hold the event again next year at the same location.
