close

Region’s largest car show to benefit local charity

3 min read

The largest car show in Southwest Florida will take place this weekend in North Fort Myers.

Hosted by Roadhouse Promotions, the 4th Annual SWFL Nationals Car Show & Classic Car Auction will be held on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Lee Civic Center. The car show, along with a swap meet, will take place on Saturday only, while the auto auction will be held on both days.

The proceeds from the event will benefit United Cerebral Palsy of Southwest Florida.

Wayne Wilmoth, co-owner of Roadhouse Promotions, explained that it is a new venue and new charity this year. The first three years, the event was held at JetBlue Park and benefited The Salvation Army.

“We raised about $7,000 a year for them,” he said.

After a visit to United Cerebral Palsy of Southwest Florida, they decided to switch charities.

“They have kids, all the way up to adults, that need minute-by-minute supervision,” Wilmoth said, noting that 100 percent of the net profits will go to the organization. “They need so much help.”

He added that they are hoping to raise more money this year than previously.

“I’d like to see 10,000 people there,” Wilmoth said.

On Saturday, the show will feature approximately 600 to 700 vehicles.

“It’s not like a new car car show,” he said. “It’s all classic cars.”

“All the way from an antique Ford, all the way up to a brand new Corvette,” Wilmoth said.

Vehicle owners can register day of for the show for $30.

“There are 75 award trophies that will be given out,” he said.

All of the awards will be for Best of Show.

“Anybody can win,” Wilmoth said. “It’s an open type of judging.”

The top three car clubs to register the most vehicles will win a total of $3,500.

Also on Saturday, the swap meet will feature about 45 new and used part vendors. The new ones can order or may have parts for someone building a classic car, while the used vendors will have items.

“If they’re looking for a particular part – that fender, that starter, that carburetor,” he said.

On both days, the auction will feature vehicles valued at $3,500 to $120,000.

“These are classic cars,” Wilmoth said. “Some of them are expensive, and some of them are not.”

About 100 vehicles – the majority of them – will be showcased on the first day.

Buyers and sellers will only pay a 7 percent commission if a deal is made.

“We’re not charging any registration fee to sell your car and we’re not charging any registration fee to buy a car,” he said, adding that most auctions require buyers and sellers to pay a registration fee.

A deejay will provide entertainment throughout the weekend.

“Fifties and ’60s music,” Wilmoth said. “It kind of goes with all these classic cars.”

Food and drink vendors will be on site.

Event T-shirts will also be available, with the proceeds to benefit the charity.

“This is the largest car show in Southwest Florida,” he said.

“You’ll never see this many classic cars in one spot,” Wilmoth added.

Admission is $10; active military and children 12 and under free.

The facility does collect a $5 parking fee.

For more information, visit: roadhousepromotions.com/ or call 239-272-1895.

For more on United Cerebral Palsy of Southwest Florida, visit online at: ucpswfl.org/.

The Lee Civic Center is at 11831 Bayshore Road.